Paris, June 26 -- It wasn't just the fans who were looking forward to a quarterfinal clash between France and the defending champion United States at the Women's World Cup. Megan Rapinoe clearly was, too.

"I hope it's huge and crazy. That's what it should be," Rapinoe said just after the match was set. "This is the best game, this is what everybody wanted. I think we wanted it, seems like they're up for it, you guys are of course are up for it, and all the fans."

While the players said the focus for the United States was always on one game at a time, Rapinoe voiced the underlying truth about the match in Paris on Friday: It was circled on everyone's World Cup calendar since December's draw.

"It's going to be totally awesome. This is wh...