Tom Hindle

‘Let the games begin’ - MLS GMs and CSOs welcome 3.0 initiative but warn league must move faster in Lionel Messi, World Cup era | Goal.com US As MLS faces a new era, leading figures around the league are concerned that it might not be doing enough to keep up

MLS 3.0 is a thing. And this is the bit where the league really takes off. But what does it actually entail? And should we be excited - or a little frustrated that change is taking a while?

Talked to GMs, CSOs and others about what they think:

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‘I know the club’ - Why LAFC promoted Marc Dos Santos to head coach and how he plans to utilize Son Heung-Min and Denis Bouanga differently in 2026 | Goal.com US The Western Conference favorites resisted the temptation to hire from abroad, and instead promoted from within to replace long-time manager Steve Cherundolo

I talked to Marc Dos Santos about sideburns, PSG, Pep Guardiola and why he’s the perfect hire for an LAFC that were so, so close last year

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Simply the best: How St. Louis channeled Tina Turner to design one of the best kits of the year | Goal.com US The club's gold alternate jersey pays homage to Turner, whose music career started in the bars of St. Louis

A look behind the scenes on a shiny golden Tina Turner kit, featuring the obvious joke: www.goal.com/en-us/lists/...

'It’s a big year for me' - After a limited 2025, it’s time for the Philadelphia Union to unleash Cavan Sullivan | Goal.com US The Philadelphia Union academy product didn't have the 2025 many expected, but this year should present a new chance for the 16-year-old prodigy.

This feels like a pretty big season for Cavan Sullivan, so I wrote about why it is a pretty big season for him.

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This is what most people refer to as a "good signing"

Subscribe to The Rondo Newsletter | Goal.com US Subscribe to the Rondo

Oh, and if you woke up thinking

"wow, it's Friday, what if I celebrated by subsribing to GOAL's weekly newsletter???"

You can do so at THIS link

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The Rondo: James Rodriguez is coming to Minnesota for a few months. That’s totally fine. Plus: Ranking the top 25...

Hi guys the GOAL newsletter just dropped and apparently quite a few people read this thing (there's data and everything)

If YOU want to be one of those people here ya go!

(Seriously I'm getting a mailbag going too and I want that shit to be POPPING)

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No strings attached: Why James Rodríguez's rumored move to Minnesota United makes sense | Goal.com US James Rodriguez is reportedly nearing a deal to sign with Minnesota United, which would be a perfect short term agreement for both parties ahead of the World Cup

James Rodriguez and Minnesota United, MLS's perfect situationship

(as promised)

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(Yes, there is a column being written about this. And yes, I have tried to shoehorn a Heated Rivalry reference into it that will almost certainly be cut by my editor.)

(I'm serious, though. My working theory is that this is the perfect fling. Both people know what they want. It has a clear expiration date. Everyone goes home happy.)

James Rodriguez and Minnesota United is the footballing equivalent of being friends with benefits. In this essay I will...

‘Learned how to suffer’ - Miguel Almirón, Emmanuel Latte Lath back Atlanta United revival under Tata Martino | Goal.com US Atlanta United massively underperformed last year, but continuity on the pitch and a club legend in the dugout may yet change their fortunes.

Atlanta United were pretty bad last year. They think they can turn things around. Chatted with Miggy Almiron and Emmanuel Latte Lath about "learning to suffer" and the pieces being in place for, well, something better.

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The Rondo: USMNT World Cup roster predictions are here! Plus: Why Pepi should stay...

Hey guys the Rondo is out and it would mean the world if u read it oksickthanks

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You're a visionary

From helping build the Showtime Lakers to launching two World Cups: How Alan Rothenberg reshaped American soccer forever | Goal.com US Rothenberg, who oversaw the planning of the 1994 World Cup, knew nothing about soccer growing up. Yet now, he is a true legend of the American game.

The United States is hosting its 4th World Cup.
The GOAT plays in Miami.
MLS is the 6th most valuable league in the world.

None of this would be possible without the contributions of one man.

This is the story of Alan Rothenberg - the architect of American soccer.

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The Rondo: Everything you need to know about the 2026 World Cup Plus: Inter Miami are...

Wake up babe, new rondo newsletter just dropped newsletters.goal.com/index.php?ac....

‘They really want me’ - Why Tai Baribo left the Philadelphia Union to become D.C. United’s main man | Goal.com Baribo enjoyed two successful years in Philadelphia, but insists he is ready to be the focal point of a club - something D.C. guaranteed the prolific striker

Tai Baribo asked the Philadelphia Union to trade him.

D.C. United answered the call.

And he might just be the foundational piece of a new project in the nation's capital.

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‘The standard now is to lift trophies’ - Why Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami’s MLS Cup win was only the beginning | Goal.com US Inter Miami finally lifted MLS Cup in 2025. After reloading in the transfer market, the Herons are built not just to repeat - but to dominate in 2026.

Inter Miami won MLS Cup last year. And this offseason, they have gotten even better.

Talked to some of the lads about new signings, expectations and competition for places

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The Rondo: Why Alonso failed at Madrid - and less than six months to the World Cup 🥳 Plus: Diomande speaks to...

The Rondo is back! And more sarcastic than ever! Would mean a lot if you would subsribe oksickthanks :)

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From Chivas’ ‘El Vaquero’ to the Red Bulls: Why Cade Cowell sees New York as a launchpad for his World Cup ambitions | Goal.com US Cowell, who was on the brink of stardom in Liga MX, has seen his stock fall in the last year. But a fresh start in MLS could be exactly what the talented winger needs.

Cade Cowell made history as the first U.S. national to play for Chivas. His experience wasn't all that bad. Yet 18 months later, he's back in the States, and New York Red Bulls seem like a pretty good fit.

On crazy fans, hotel rooms, and why it was time to return

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‘I learned a lot’ - How America shaped RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande, from UPSL to the UEFA Champions League | Goal.com US The Ivory Coast international has been tipped for European stardom, but he was developed in North America

Yan Diomande, 19, is balling at RB Leipzig. He is linked with pretty much every big club, a regular for Ivory Coast, and one report valued him at over $100 million.

But for all of that to happen, he had to cut his teeth in the UPSL:

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‘Top scorer in MLS, without a doubt’ - Wessam Abou Ali showed flashes before injury, now he’s ready to dominate | Goal.com US The Danish-born Palestinian international made a real impact before suffering a devastating ankle injury last October. Fit and firing again - he's out to prove that his strong run was no fluke.

“Well, I had 3 in 3 and then I broke my ankle”

Wessam Abou Ali was supposed to tear up MLS with Columbus Crew, but injury got in the way.

Yet it’s a new season, with a new manager, and maybe a new Wes.

On recovery, late night gaming sessions, and golden boot talk

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Xabi Alonso tried and failed to coach an uncoachable team - Real Madrid departure shows player power still reigns at the Bernabeu | Goal.com US Xabi Alonso departs Real Madrid after just eight months in charge after learning the hard way that the players will always be the most powerful individuals inside the Bernabeu dressing room

Xabi Alonso, and the tragedy of trying to coach the uncoachable:

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‘Why would you care?’ – Portland Cherry Bombs’ name sounds like a joke, but it’s central to the USL club's bold strategy | Goal.com US Alan Miller, owner of two USL clubs, has found that lower league soccer ownership can bring a hipster community to life - one dirty joke at a time

"Portland Cherry Bombs" seemed like a fun name. There's no way that it could be a reference to 1970s punk and ~other things~, right? Well...

Talked to owner Alan Miller and GM Courtney Schmidt about naming, bro culture, and girl power, all wrapped up in soccer.

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Leaving Argentina, learning from Marcelo Bielsa: The unconventional journey of American-born coach Bryant Lazaro to Portuguese side Estoril | Goal.com US Bryant Lazaro picked the academic route into professional coaching, and with three degrees under his belt could be the next great American coach in Europe

Bryant Lazaro realized he wouldn't be a pro footballer at 19. So, as any normal person would, he got two master's degrees, a PhD, learned 3 languages, made friends with Marcelo Bielsa and is now on the brink of coaching stardom

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The Rondo: Suarez stays in 🌴 and Rodman's future remains unclear Plus: Breakout stars to...

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The Rondo: 🐐 is MVP again and where does Mo Salah go from here Plus: Poch's WC dream...

Hey guys, there's this newsletter and it's called the rondo and you should read it and perhaps even subscribe if you think it's good

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Lionel Messi is MLS's undisputed MVP but are Inter Miami doing enough to build something sustainable around him? | Goal.com US The Argentine deserved his second straight MVP award, but might face more competition for the honor next year - and Miami, too, could feel the heat

Lionel Messi has won MVP. Duh. But can Miami build around him?

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‘You can do what you want’ - FIFA's World Cup draw became a divisive ode to Donald Trump, not a celebration of soccer | Goal.com US The World Cup draw, which is supposed to be a celebration of soccer, instead turned into a tribute to Donald Trump

Donald Trump takes charge of Infantino fest 3000, an account:

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New era begins at Inter Miami: Lionel Messi has delivered the elusive first MLS Cup - what comes next? | Goal.com US Lionel Messi finally got his MLS Cup with Inter Miami, but the Herons will face an offseason full of change as they look to defend the trophy

Miami did the thing, but this offseason will not be easy. On a bloody good win, but the rebuild that simply has to follow:

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