GOAL USA writers offer MLS Cup predictions and discuss the Premier League title race and the 2025 Club World Cup

Finally, MLS Cup is here. After nine months and three of the four presumptive favorites exiting, there is a soccer match to be played that will decide who lifts the trophy. And it's an enticing match up. LA Galaxy have been, at times, the best team in MLS this season, high powered attack and all. New York Red Bulls, meanwhile got hot at the right time.

Pit the two against each other, throw in a season-ending ACL tear to Riqui Puig, and we have a game. It won't be an easy one to call.

Elsewhere, there's some USWNT fallout to deal with. Emma Hayes' side played England to a bit of a bore at the weekend, a hyped-up friendly finishing in a drab 0-0. Yes, there was some more intrigue than the scoreline might have suggested, but the U.S. certainly missed their big names.

And also, a word on the Premier League. Manchester City have gone from the world's best to Champions League spot outsiders in a matter of weeks, leaving Liverpool nine points clear. Is that an unassailable margin? History tells us it should be.

There's all that and more, as GOAL US writers debate some of the biggest stories in soccer in the latest edition of… The Rondo.

IMGANWho wins MLS Cup?

Tom Hindle: Before this weekend, you would have said LA Galaxy, and probably pretty comfortably. But after the games, given the fine run of form the Red Bulls are on, and potential injuries for LA, it's not quite that simple. The NYRB will probably be up for it, and have a real belief that they can do something here (not to mention that a No. 7 seed winning the whole thing would be exquisite content.) Still, the Galaxy are probably a bit too good. An early LA goal and the floodgates probably open. Instead, let's say the Red Bulls put up a fight and we get some sort of 2-1 Galaxy win, with most of the action coming in the second half.

Alex Labidou: This would have been a WAY easier question to answer prior to the news of Puig's injury. Take away the MVP nominee, who also delivered the Galaxy to this moment, and the Galaxy and Red Bulls are a lot more even than the difference in their playoff seeding would suggest. That said, this Red Bulls group feels like a team of destiny – and with their defense being a lot stronger than LA's along with having just enough in attack, let's go with Red Bulls in a 2-1 win.

Ryan Tolmich: As a strong believer in Teams of Destiny, we'll go Red Bulls. It seems like just about everything has broken their way over the last month or so, despite the odds eternally being against them. Outshot? No problem. Outplayed? Doesn't matter. This team has generally just found a way. Now, they face an LA Galaxy team without their best player? Everything is coming up Red Bulls, so, despite a clear talent deficit to make up, let's go with them.

AdvertisementIMAGNHow bad is Puig's ACL tear for LA Galaxy?

TH: On Saturday? They will probably survive. LA are too good going forward, even with Puig out. Gabriel Pec, Marco Reus, Joseph Paintsil, et al, will have too much on the day. The real issue is next year. Pec could – and probably should – leave for greener pastures. Reus is still a bit of a question mark over the course of a full season, while it remains to be seen if Dejan Joveljic can replicate his form. Puig was the guy who held it all together this year (and is probably the single player most important to his side in MLS.) Considering that an ACL tear likely rules next year, too, the Galaxy could be in trouble.

AL: It's heart-wrenching. Puig was debatable as an MLS MVP candidate, but he has hands-down been the best player in this postseason. LA likely still have enough to win it all, but Puig, to steal a line from Yankees Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, is the straw that stirs the drink. I'm not sure how the Galaxy get past a stout Red Bulls defense without him.

RT: Horrible. No player, other than maybe Lionel Messi, is as important to their team, and the stats prove it. When Puig is on the field, the Galaxy have the best midfielder in MLS, and it isn't particularly close. Without him, this team loses so much of the creativity that unleashes the star-studded attack. Can they win without him? Yes. Will they? Not so sure.

(C)Getty Images Why is the Club World Cup a big deal for America?

TH: Well, let's put it simply: soccer matters here. Get more of those guys fans will recognize from the telly to play on American soil – and with some handsome money as a result – and then there's room for growth, for sure. Yes, the tournament has its critics. The calendar is already too full, and a month of soccer in the States when players are already knackered is perhaps a bit much. But from an American perspective, with the World Cup coming in 2026, there couldn't be a better warmup for the world's biggest sporting event than some of the marquee guys coming to play. Just please, please, please get a TV deal sorted, FIFA.

AL: There isn't a lot of anticipation for this tournament and it does feel a tack on to an already extensive soccer calendar. Yet, all of those factors mentioned above won't matter once the event actually kicks off. If the players are bought in, fans are going to see some really tantalizing and intriguing matchups and get introduced to stars and teams from other regions outside of Europe that they are completely unaware of.

The biggest factor, outside of obviously finding a broadcasting partner, will be ticket pricing. Copa America last year had issues with attendance in certain matches because they priced all the matches relatively the same and there were a lot of teams without broad fan interest. If they do a dynamic pricing scheme, it could be to the benefit for both the fans and teams trying to introduce themselves to new audiences, such as Boca Juniors or Urawa Red Diamonds.

RT: It matters because, again, it is an example of the sport's powerbrokers investing in the U.S. game. Everyone involved in the sport continues to believe that the U.S. is a gold mine and, as long as that's the case, more money will be pumped into growing the game in this part of the world. Maybe young fans will fall in love after seeing Real Madrid. Maybe an Inter Miami run will help validate MLS. Maybe a closer look at someone like Weston McKennie will inspire the next USMNT star. Either way, the more money and effort is pumped into the American game, the more room there is to take the game forward – and that's good for everyone.

GettyIs the Premier League title Liverpool's to lose?

TH: Yes? Maybe? I don't know? Manchester City's puzzling collapse would seem to leave some room for someone else, and the Reds are playing very, very, very well. But the next few months will really test things. Negotiate Christmas, and sure. Perhaps the main concern is Mohamed Salah's recent history of late-season drop offs. For a few years now, the Egyptian has dealt with scoring slumps, and he is HARDcarrying Liverpool at the moment. If he stays hot, then there can be belief on Merseyside. All that said. For now, a very, very, very nervy yes.

AL: The old adage is whoever is leading by Boxing Day usually wins the league. Liverpool are leading the Prem by nine points (!) and barring something unforeseen, aren't going to give away that lead going into 2025. So yes. What's been more interesting, is following the unexpected storylines. Aston Villa are collapsing after puffing their chest from making the Champions League last season, sitting in 12th. Everyone roasted Chelsea for moving on from Mauricio Pochettino, but quietly they're on the same points as Arsenal at second and third. And literally nobody is talking about Brighton being fourth in the league. That's where the fun is.

RT: Yeah, they're pretty clearly the favorites now, huh? Still, come back after the holiday period, which is where title dreams go to die. Games come thick and fast, injuries pile up and standards tend to dip just a little bit. If Liverpool can get to New Years Day with a big lead, we can anoint them as Champions elect – but surviving that time of year is a tough ask for both the Reds and anyone hoping to chase them down.