GOAL US writers debate Messi's absence for Inter Miami, next USMNT manager and whether the US can handle the 2026 World Cup
And so ends another hectic week in soccer. Copa America ended in the only way it really could – with a frantic final that involved little actual sport and one moment of magic. The Euros ended the only way they really could – with the best team playing the best football at the right moments.
Meanwhile, two major countries are in the hunt for new managers that could shape their 2026 World Cup cycle and beyond, Lionel Messi could be out for weeks on end, and concerns about fan safety at major tournaments have reared their head once again.
It's all a lot to break down, and with the Olympics around the corner and pre-season football starting for European sides, there isn't really a second to breathe.
Our GOAL US writers tackle some of the biggest topics out there, and look back on a crazy summer of international soccer in the latest edition of… The Rondo.
Getty ImagesWhat does Leo Messi's ankle injury mean for Inter Miami and MLS?
Tom Hindle: Well, it's not looking good, is it? Messi's ankle was the size of a grapefruit after Argentina's Copa America win over Colombia, and seeing the dude in tears on the bench didn't feel wonderful. There isn't a timeline on his return, but this month showed us that Miami are pretty miserable without their main man. Even the return of Luis Suarez might not save them outright. Miami are going to have to find a way to stay afloat. MLS, meanwhile, will have to figure out how to get people to tune in.
Ryan Tolmich: It's bad, bad news. So much of MLS identity is now tied to Messi, and he looks set to miss two of the biggest periods on the calendar. First up is the All-Star game but, even if healthy, that may have been tough due to his Argentina run. Second, though, is the Leagues Cup, the tournament he defined last season. Without Messi, that competition isn't nearly as sexy, and that's a problem for Inter Miami, MLS and Liga MX.
Jacob Schneider: Absolutely nothing. Miami have played without him for over a month, two more games won't mean anything. All eyes on Leagues Cup.
Advertisement(C)Getty ImagesWho should be the next USMNT manager?
TH: Loaded question. It really should have been Jesse Marsch, but that ship seems to have sailed a long time ago. Jurgen Klopp was obviously the dream, and very unrealistic, target. Now he's off the table, US soccer can go in a few interesting directions.
Rafa Benitez and Luis De La Fuente have both been named as potential candidates, but it'd be tough to see either of them taking the job. Smart money is on Wilfried Nancy, who knows the US soccer scene inside out and has worked wonders with the Crew.
RT: Should be or will be?
In terms of "should", the ideal candidate is someone who can inspire the country and help ease any of the division that stemmed from Gregg Berhalter's tenure. A big name like Jurgen Klopp or Zinedine Zidane would accomplish that. However, that's the pipedream.
An ideal candidate would be someone who can get results. An experienced international manager like Joachim Low or Herve Renard would be fantastic but, whoever it is, they will be judged on a short timeline that almost exclusively depends on a handful of games in the summer of 2026.
JS: Gareth Southgate on a two-year-deal. That's all they need. Without diving into specifics, if he opts out, your target should be Herve Renard. Dream scenario? Luis De La Fuente.
GettyWhich USMNT transfer rumor are you watching this summer?
TH: Where next for Gio? The attacking midfielder may not have done anything in the best part of 18 months, but he remains the most talented player in this group.
It really feels like a make or break summer for Reyna, though, who endured a mixed Copa America. In all hoesty, the guy just needs to play some football and find some fitness again. That surely means a move away from Dortmund. If that means playing for a mid-table side in Germany, France or England, then so be it.
RT: The answer is Gio Reyna. He's arguably the USMNT's most important player, the one that makes the biggest difference between this team being good and great.
He needs to be playing regularly, wherever that is, and that may require him to humbly take a step backward. Wherever he goes, he better play. Reyna has essentially wasted the last three years of his club career; he can't afford to waste anymore.
JS: You've got to be intrigued by the return of Luka Koleosho for Burnley this year. He's someone who could emerge as a playmaker come 2026, if he commits to the program. In terms of transfers, all eyes on Weston McKennie and Gio Reyna.
GettyWho should be the next England manager?
TH: HA! Well, it depends on the age old question: should the England manager be English? If it's your view that a national football team should be a total representation of the footballing ability of your nation, manager included, then, yes, England have to get the best English guy available.
Issue is, England have a LOT of great players, but not many particularly good coaches. Graham Potter is odds on to get the job, and he probably makes the most sense. The guy is painfully English – slightly dour disposition and all – and has enough of a tactical brain to get something out of this immensely talented squad.
RT: Graham Potter is the obvious answer, right? It feels like he's been waiting for this job and it's finally open. Will England give it to him? They probably should.
He brings a more proactive style than Gareth Southgate and has proven success with Brighton. We'll write off the Chelsea mess because it was Chelsea, although Potter isn't totally blameless. Either way, it seems like the perfect marriage between coach and team heading towards 2026.
JS: Graham Potter. A manager who has a system, a plan and a good solid backing from domestic players. Chelsea treated him horribly (coming from a Chelsea fan) and he deserves a new opportunity. Feels like a perfect fit.