GOAL US discusses which Americans need a move, which should be in January camp, and who is the 2025 MLS Cup favorite?
MLS season is over, and after all the twists and turns, the most well constructed team won it. Yes, Inter Miami had Leo Messi. Yes, Columbus Crew were managed by Wilfried Nancy. And we know, Olivier Giroud forgot how to play soccer for a while. But the Galaxy had a crucial consistency about them, which was enough – even when they lost their best player to a serious knee injury in the Western Conference final.
Elsewhere, attention turns to the Americans abroad. There are some real talents that could do with a move this January, and the transfer rumor mill will undoubtedly churn in the coming weeks. Gio Reyna for one, Matt Turner for another, are among those who should be looking for ways out.
Meanwhile, there's a January USMNT camp to think about. It's not a FIFA window, which means some big names will be out. So it might be an opportunity for some to step into the fold – and prove they might just have a place at the highest level under new coach Mauricio Pochettino.
GOAL US breaks it all down in the latest edition of… The Rondo.
Getty Images SportWhich American, beyond Gio Reyna, needs a club move?
Tom Hindle: For the love of God, someone get Matt Turner out of London. The USMNT goalie clearly doesn't have a Premier League suitor and THAT IS OK! But he really needs to be getting reps, especially if he's going to be Mauricio Pochettino's No. 1 for the USMNT going forward. It doesn't matter if he has to go to the Championship, or even abroad, the guy just needs to play football. A word, too, for Yunus Musah, who could really do with consistent minutes (he's certainly good enough).
Jacob Schneider: Brandon Vazquez definitely needs a move. He's too talented to be riding the bench at Monterrey – even if German Berterame moves in January, too. A move to San Jose under Bruce Arena could prove to be incredible for his development. Another shout is youngster Rokas Pukstas. He's continually elevated his game in Croatia with Hadjuk Split, and is being touted for his senior debut in 2025. Now is the time to make the move to ensure that.
Ryan Tolmich: It's odd because, at the moment, there really aren't many glaring issues for USMNT stars. Several made moves during the summer. Aside from Reyna, the ones that didn't are generally playing and playing well. Some, like Ricardo Pepi and Johnny Cardoso, look set for a move up the ladder, but that won't come until the summer. Neither would a move for Gianluca Busio, who has proven that he shouldn't go down with the ship at Venezia. This winter, largely, is about MLS players going abroad, if anything, so keep an eye on guys like John Tolkin as they look to take a leap.
Alex Labidou: Musah DESPERATELY needs a move. It hasn't been all bad for the 22-year-old, and he's seen an uptick in starts recently with three in Milan's last four games. Yet, it seems as if Musah's inclusion is putting a square peg in a round hole. According to , Musah has played six positions under new manager Paulo Fonseca and that lack of consistency is likely affecting his confidence on a club level. He has loads of potential as a deep-lying midfielder or a right-sided playmaker, but he's not going to properly develop unless he goes to a situation where he is more valued and his skills are better utilized. His mistake in the Champions League against FK Crvena Zvezda shows a player who needs to get back some confidence. Hopefully, he'll find a better situation in January.
AdvertisementGettyWhich CONCACAF player could use a change of clubs?
TH: It seems like the Jonathan David move has been coming for some time, right? The Canadian is too good for Lille and it wouldn't be a surprise to see an Arsenal, for example, come for him next summer.
JS: David is the only answer here. He is too talented for Lille. He has the goal-scoring prowess to be playing with a top-six club in the Premier League, or top-four in Spain, Germany or Italy.
RT: Is it finally time for David? There isn't much left to prove in Ligue 1 and, if the rumor mill is to be believed, big clubs have been eyeing him for some time now. It seems as if it's getting close to time to make that move, although it has to be the right one given the upcoming World Cup. David has the potential to be a top striker, but he needs to find a club that allows him to be that. Maybe the best way to do it is to stay at Lille, but fortune favors the bold.
AL: Everyone is talking up Viktor Gyokeres as the most in-form striker right now, and with just reason, but David isn't too far behind and is doing it in a more competitive league. David has 15 goals overall this season and Lille has surprisingly been one of the best teams in the Champions League, sitting eighth above teams like Bayern, Juventus and Gyokeres's Sporting. It would be exciting to envision David on a team such as Arsenal, who needs more of a clinical edge, or maybe Chelsea, who could add a piece to challenge Nico Jackson when needed. David's done everything he can do in Lille, it's time to take the next step.
IMAGNWhich uncapped player deserves a nod from Pochettino?
TH: Tough one, because it seems like everyone who should have a cap has already earned one. Even the fringe guys got some love in Gregg Berhalter's final days. To be honest, the January camp seems like a good opportunity to play the kids. A good shout is Caden Clark, who seems to have fallen out of the picture after such a promising youth career. Throw him into a pretty low stakes camp against experienced players and see how he fares. Also worth taking a proper look at Diego Luna – even if U.S. soccer doesn't get on with him, for some reason.
JS: Daniel Edelman of the New York Red Bulls comes to mind, while other MLS midfielders Leon Flach, Hassani Dotson and Quinn Sullivan come to mind. One to keep an eye on is Clark, who found some form late in 2024 after a midseason transfer to CF Montreal. The one that makes the most sense though is Luna. Arguably the most talented American prospect in MLS in his age group, he was MLS' Young Player of the Year in 2024 and has been linked with a transfer abroad. Get him into the team before Mexico comes swooping.
RT: We're all about rewarding good performances in January Camp, and it's about time that Matt Freese got his chance. He was one of the best goalkeepers in MLS but, despite playing in New York, has widely been overlooked. He's exactly the type of player that January camp is designed for – desperate for a chance. We'll see if he gets it, but based on his play in MLS, he's earned the look.
AL: As much as an answer such as Cavan Sullivan would be fun and intriguing, this January camp actually means something as Pochettino has very limited windows to find his squad, and also learn about players in MLS. So how about Cavan's brother Quinn? Lost amid all of the hype for his 15-year-old brother, Quinn can actually ball. And if the Union weren't so inconsistent last year, we'd be talking about him more. While Quinn plays in two positions the U.S. is stacked – attacking mid and wing – there's no such thing as having too much attacking talent in the national team pool. Quinn deserves a look. And if we want to give the other side of the spectrum some love, why not throw a cap out there for Brad Guzan? Until Turner is No. 1 at his own club, the goalkeeper position is a question mark – and Guzan was the hottest in the MLS postseason. Yes, he's 40. Sure, he's a known commodity with 64 caps. But is he as good, or even better than, say Patrick Schulte or Zack Steffen? Won't know unless you take a look.
Are LA Galaxy favorites to repeat as MLS Cup winners?
TH: Nah. They're going to get absolutely gutted this winter. Gabriel Pec is surely off to Europe, or maybe even Brazil. Riqui Puig will miss most of next season with his knee injury. It's also unclear how Marco Reus' body can deal with a full MLS campaign. Plus, if Miami retool properly, and buy some actual MLS players, they're streets clear of everyone else.
JS: Nope, because no matter what coach Greg Vanney says, Pec will be gone in 2025. He is too talented and money talks in this league. Europe should be pouncing on him come January, and as a result, the LA attack won't be as connected in 2025. That, and the favorites are still Inter Miami. Lionel Messi is Lionel Messi, and for as long as he plays, he will be the favorite.
RT: Logic would say yes, given the pieces, but we all know MLS doesn't operate on logic. The recent trend in MLS is teams going from missing the playoffs to MLS Cup contenders, so every team will head into next season with legitimate trophy dreams. Even so, it's hard to look past teams such as LAFC and Inter Miami, who will reload and retool to go after MLS Cup. Becuause of that, while the Galaxy are among the favorites, they're probably third or fourth on the list.
AL: The Galaxy built their squad in the right way, adding really dynamic young wing players to go along with battle-tested MLS ones. Their performance in the first half of the MLS Cup was up there among MLS finalists. But as long as Messi is in MLS and the young pieces around him take a step forward – looking at you Benjamin Cremaschi – Inter Miami are the favorites. Also if LAFC somehow get Antoine Griezmann, they once again probably are the best team in the City of Angels.
