GOAL USA roundtable on whether Miami was right to bench its stars, who will win the Champions League, and if the Crew can win again on Mexican soil
Miami's decision to bench Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets for a road match last weekend was met with anger around the world of MLS. Fans in Vancouver spent big to see the former Barcelona trio strut their stuff as Tata Martino's side took on the Whitecaps – with the club itself bragging about a potential record crowd for the fixture. But Miami left their big names at home, and won 2-1 anyway.
It all kicked up a frenzy. The club offered fans a 50 percent discount on concessions and free food for U-18s who attended the game. More broadly, it opened up conversations about the equivalent of the NBA's infamous "load management" issues in America's top soccer division.
But that's not the only storyline of the week. The USMNT dropped its preliminary Olympic roster, with plenty of surprises, while the Champions League final is looming on Saturday. So, who needs to impress for the US, and can Dortmund realistically beat Real Madrid?
Our GOAL US writers weigh in on those – and more – in the latest edition of… .
Is Inter Miami right to rest stars on road trips?
Tom Hindle: The fans don't like it whatsoever, but Miami can pretty much do what they want. As much as this team is equal parts marketing tool and footballing entity, they have a bunch of mid-30s stars to look after.
It would be nice to see Messi, Suarez, Busquets and Alba routinely walk MLS every week, but they simply don't have the legs to do so. They are great for PR, can all still play, and sell loads of tickets. Still, if this is about sport (which it really be) then the big four have to sit out a game or two every now and then. Any smart coach will do what they can to look after older and sometimes injured players.
More broadly, it seems unfair to ask a bunch of athletes to sit on a plane for six hours and travel through three time zones from Miami to Vancouver to play for 90 minutes – then make the same journey in reverse, only to face a different team three days later.
Due respect to Vancouver and Miami fans, the guys needed a night off. That's allowed. How awkward would it be if Miami fails to win MLS because Messi and company are too knackered by the time playoffs come around?
The whole reduced-priced concessions and free food for kids thing was pretty funny, though. Would like to see more of that, except, I don't know, give disappointed fans a load of beer or something? (Please don't do that.)
Ryan Tolmich: There's one thing you have to remember: Inter Miami doesn't owe anyone a damn thing. Tata Martino's biggest priority is doing what's best for his team and, sometimes, that's resting players.
It stinks for fans, for sure, but that's the risk you take. You're not buying a ticket to see Messi; you're buying a ticket to see Inter Miami and, sometimes, Messi (and other famous teammates) won't be there.
Does Miami have a responsibility to help grow the game? Sure, but Martino's chief responsibility is to win an MLS Cup. Those two goals won't always align, and you can't blame the coach for doing what's best for his team's chances of success.
Jacob Schneider: They’re absolutely in the right to, but let's be honest, transparency – from both the league and the club – is needed. The fact that Vancouver had made an announcement, Miami didn’t and then Tata Martino apologized for it postgame… There's just such a disconnect.
When it comes to being a figurehead like Messi, you know people will flock to see him. Just be transparent and say, hey, we can’t have him make the trip this week. Give people some sort of notice, not a panicked statement that caught everyone off guard. There are better ways to go about this.
On the flip side, if teams weren’t overcharging ticket prices when Messi is scheduled to play in their stadium, this wouldn’t be such an issue. But alas, cash is prioritized over fans.
AdvertisementGettyWho has to play their way onto the USWNT roster this June camp?
TH: Alex Morgan – even if she's still working her way back from an injury. She's an interesting case these days, no longer as explosive or dynamic as she was as a younger player. But she is perhaps the only true No.9 at Emma Hayes' disposal, and even if she doesn't bag the goals herself, Morgan certainly knows how to patrol space, and make the right movements to allow for others to operate. If used properly in Hayes' favoured 4-2-3-1, she could recapture some of her best.
Hayes has a bit of an issue in that sense. Expectations are high, and Morgan can be a difference maker. She guarantees goals, and experience will be key. But if her career is coming to an end (it is), does Morgan turn to less proven options to find the net? Sophia Smith, for example, certainly deserves her chance, but her record in a USWNT shirt is poor.
A good camp for Morgan and she probably puts herself in the conversation to start for one last Olympics … which I suppose is a nice story?
RT: Alex Morgan is a clear answer, but, with or without her, the attacking group will be fantastic. A more interesting and consequential race is brewing at centerback.
Naomi Girma's name is written in the most permanent of Sharpies, but who starts next to her? Emily Sonnett and Tierna Davidson are in the mix, as is newcomer Sam Staab. Behind them are several big names that aren't involved in this camp, headlined by veterans Becky Sauerbrunn and Abby Dahlkemper. Can Sonnett, Davidson or maybe Staab make an impression that locks up a roster spot?
Girma is fantastic, but choosing who plays alongside her will be one of Hayes' big decisions.
JS: You immediately think of Staab, but the fair shout here is Lily Yohannes. She has a chance to play for the most successful international team in the history of the women’s game, but needs to impress.
That’s not to say the Netherlands – who also want her in their ranks – are a lesser team, but rather, playing for the U.S. comes with the label of excellence. To make it with the USWNT means you are immediately one of the world’s most talented – that has become certain in recent years.
The midfield, however, is stacked – and it won’t be easy to break in, so it will be exciting to watch more of her game and see how she compares to some of the veterans on the pitch.
Getty ImagesThe Big Question: Who wins the Champions League final?
TH: Real Madrid. Dortmund would be nice, but they've had a kind draw, and their league form has been shaky at best this season. Madrid are better as a unit, and have the whole Champions League voodoo thing going on. Also, there's no real evidence that anyone can defend both Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr for 90 minutes. Good luck stopping Toni Kroos from pinging it around, too.
Not sure it will be a thrashing – finals seldom are – but you'd fancy Los Blancos to win this one reasonably comfortably. Then again, the football romantic wants to see Marco Reus win a major trophy to cap off an immense Dortmund career – even if he doesn't start this game. It would also be hilarious to see Jadon Sancho leave Manchester United and then win something.
More generally, can someone please beat Madrid in a final for once? (If only because it never, ever, ever, ever, ever happens.)
RT: How many times do you have to see the movie before you can remember the ending?
You'd be bonkers to bet against Real Madrid, who remain inevitable in this competition. It's clockwork at this point. They're too good, too experienced and too mentally strong for any other team in Champions League play.
Would Dortmund winning be a hell of a story? Oh yeah. The thought of seeing Reus riding off into the sunset is one that will give soccer fans all over the world butterflies. He's one of the few players beloved by all, making a player worthy of this sendoff.
Unfortunately for him, the Champions League's final boss stands in his way. When it comes to facing Real Madrid, there aren't many happy endings for those in their path.
JS: The assumption is Real Madrid, simply due to talent level. Everyone will talk about Vinicius and Rodrygo, but you should be buzzing over the chance watch Federico Valverde in another Cup Final. He is a sensational footballer, and perhaps the most underrated player in Europe.
Still, some would love for nothing more than Reus to depart the Black and Yellow as a Champions League winner. The definition of a club stalwart, the former Germany international deserves nothing less than to be on that stage – as captain – hoisting the UCL trophy.
Getty ImagesCan the Crew really win the CONCACAF Champions Cup?
TH: On paper, they really should. The Crew have been excellent in the Champions Cup this season, and beating two Mexican teams away from home is no small feat.
Wilfried Nancy seems to know what he's doing for these games, too, and a look at the teamsheets suggests that the MLS side probably have the quality to win over 90 minutes. Then again, this sport is all a bit silly and unpredictable, and – as they say – anything can happen in a final. Home field advantage for Pachuca could be big here, especially given that they play at 8,000 feet above sea level (which is, apparently, reasonably high up.) So yeah, you'd fancy the Crew to do the thing, but not easily.
RT: It won't be easy, that's for sure.
The Crew have swatted away everyone in their path for the past season-and-a-half, but this is a different test. Facing Pachuca at altitude is going to be a nightmare and it's a challenge unlike any the Crew have faced.
They have some things going for them, though. Nancy is a genius and he's sculpted this team into a machine that few are able to stop. The Crew have talent but, more importantly, they have an identity. This is a strong, unified group.
Will that be enough? Possibly. They have a realistic chance but, if history tells us anything, they won't be favorites this weekend.
JS: Absolutely, and the only thing standing in their way is the altitude of Pachuca.
They are the better team, and have proved that through their valiant cup run so far. This squad that Nancy has created is one of the most talented MLS’ has ever seen – and winning the CCC final would be one of, if not the, most impressive feat by a stateside club.
If Cucho Hernandez is healthy (fingers crossed) there’s nothing this team can’t overcome. It’s exciting just thinking about the match.