GOAL US writers discuss the biggest storylines in soccer, including MLS and USMNT strikers, with bonus NBA and NFL topics
It's been another chaotic period in the soccer world. The European landscape didn't offer much, but the same cannot be said for events at home, though.
An injury sustained by Ricardo Pepi – who signed a new contract over the weekend – meant that the USMNT may have to turn elsewhere for its striking options.With Folarin Balogun also out, it could mean a look for the barely-healthy Josh Sargent. Can Mauricio Pochettino trust him?
Meanwhile, MLS is heating up. With rosters all-but finalized, it's time for evaluation. Who won the offseason? Has there been an entirely transformative signing or hiring?
And then there's a look at the wider sporting consciousness. The blockbuster trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks that send Luka Doncic to L.A. and Anthony Davis to Dallas is a captivating thing. Has soccer ever offered anything of that magnitude? What is the hypothetical equivalent? And finally, there's a Super Bowl to worry about. Can this year's matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles be translated into the beautiful game? Who is who in football vs. football?
GOAL US writers cover all of that and more in the latest edition of… The Rondo.
What's the equivalent of the Doncic-Davis trade in soccer?
Tom Hindle: This is a game of hypotheticals, and this trade is an entirely seismic thing. Point is, there's not really an equivalent. The closest would be an imaginary deal of Harry Kane for Kylian Mbappe. Like Davis, Kane is absolutely elite – but has probably already played his best stuff. Meanwhile, Mbappe is undoubtedly one of the game's best, but limited by his defensive work rate (insert joke about Doncic's reported diet here).
Jacob Schneider: There's no proper equivalent in terms of talent, but in terms of a trade out of nowhere without a player being aware, the MLS comparison would be Dax McCarty's trade from RBNY to the Chicago Fire in 2017. Nobody saw it coming, and he was baffled after being moved unexpectedly. If there was one transfer of a similar nature that caught the entire world by surprise, perhaps Luis Figo from Barcelona to Real Madrid, or Robinho from Real Madrid to Man City? Unfortunately, soccer transfers often lack surprise, so there isn't a definite comparison.
Ryan Tolmich: Vinicius Jr for Joshua Kimmich. This is trading an attacking marvel, one who is still young enough to keep getting better, for an experienced but versatile defensive presence. Vini, like Luka, has proven he can carry a team pretty damn far, although there are still hurdles to clear for either to be declared the best player in their respective sports. Kimmich and Davis, meanwhile, are title-winning players but also aren't necessarily THE guy on those title-winning teams. You can see why Real Madrid would be extremely hesitant to do this deal, just like you an see why the Mavericks should have probably been pretty hesitant about their own trade.
Alex Labidou: This is the worst trade in decades. Doncic is a MVP candidate who is 25 and has at least 10 years of basketball left in him – and he will revitalize the Lakers. The best soccer equivalent might be AC Milan letting Andrea Pirlo go to Juventus for free. At the time the thought Pirlo, similar to Mavs and Doncic, wasn't able to stay at peak fitness and was past his best. He proved them wrong, winning four Serie A titles among other trophies. It was a move that was so surprising, that Juventus icon Gianluigi Buffon said, "When Andrea told me that he was joining us, the first thing I thought was 'God exists'. A player of his level and ability, not to mention that he was free, I think it was the signing of the century."
AdvertisementGetty ImagesWhat's a soccer comparison to Chiefs vs Eagles?
TH: Well, pick two teams. One has to be immensely successful in a way that earns the begrudging respect of the footballing world. The other has to be perennially "almost" there with infuriating fans – ideally with a sort of working class vibe going on. Real Madrid vs. Liverpool. Easy. (* Said knowing next to nothing about American sports).
JS: Has to be a "the lesser of two evils" type conversation here. Outside of Kansas City, nobody really likes the Chiefs, but the Eagles have a more despised fanbase. Therefore most neutrals will be rooting for the Chiefs regardless of their distaste for the organization. As a result, it's nearly direct comparison of Man City and Arsenal. The Chiefs, looking for a three-peat, have been in dynasty mode, like City. The Eagles, much like Arsenal, have emerged in recent years, but both the fanbase and the way they play just doesn't sit right for most outside the club. There's a lot of dislike to go around.
RT: Starting with the Chiefs, they're Real Madrid, largely because they feel inevitable. They're a superstar-driven team that has talent all over the field but, more importantly, they know how to win better than everyone else. That's why they swat other contenders away. The Eagles, meanwhile, are Liverpool – very talented in their own right while being led by an offensive phenom. Unfortunately, just like Liverpool won't want to see Real Madrid in another Champions League final, the Eagles surely didn't want to see the Chiefs again. They'll need to get past mental and physical hurdles if they want to avenge a previous Super Bowl loss to Kansas City.
AL: The Chiefs are Liverpool, a team that plays in a smaller market than London but scouts well, are coached well, and has some aging stars that still deliver in key moments. The Eagles are a more successful Arsenal. They play in a big market, spend big money, have fans that annoy most other fan bases, but have failed to deliver on big stages. Similar to Arsenal, this is the best Eagles team in years, but will that be enough to bring home anything? We'll find out Sunday.
Getty Images SportAre you confident Josh Sargent can start at No. 9 for the USMNT?
Tom Hindle: No. He's bang average. This guy is third choice, and some way off the levels of both Ricardo Pepi and Folarin Balogun. For Pochettino, he's break-glass-in-case-of-emergency standard. Lads, he plays for Norwich.
Jacob Schneider: Absolutely. Have long argued Sargent is the most talented No. 9 in the pool – even with the emergence of Balogun – but his injury luck has been horrid. A healthy Sargent is a massive positive for the USMNT and Poch. Now, the track record of his performances with the U.S. does leave a lot to be desired. However, Poch has shown he is willing to adapt and trust players – could Josh be the next player he unlocks?
Ryan Tolmich: Absolutely. Sargent is a proven goalscorer on the club level, although a series of untimely injuries has limited his impact with the USMNT. Even so, Sargent is a smart player, one who picks his spots and has the finishing skills to make the most of when he gets to them. His biggest downside has, unfortunately, been injuries. But if he can stay healthy while scoring a few more goals for Norwich between now and the CONCACAF Nation's League semifinals in March, the USMNT should feel OK with him leading the line.
Alex Labidou: He'll get a chance but that doesn't mean he'll perform. Let's not forget that he was in fine form in October for Norwich as well, then struggled when he was under the bright lights with the U.S. national team. This might be arguably his last chance to make a case as to why he should start for the USMNT, considering the competition and the time Pochettino has to assess his squad.
AFPWhat's a reasonable price for Pepi in the summer transfer window?
TH: Presumably the new deal will have a release clause in it, or a so-called "gentleman's agreement" that will let him go for the right price. But for a 22-year-old with a proven goalscoring record in a decent league, $37.5 million (£30 million) sounds about right. Anything more would be fairly egregious.
JS: Reasonable was West Ham's first bid of around $25M (£20M), to be frank. Anything more than $43.5M (£35M) would be highway robbery for PSV. But in general, the transfer market is growing rapidly and prices are skyrocketing. It's really interesting to watch the landscape change.
RT: PSV rejected offers in the 20s, and sources told GOAL that West Ham could come back with an offer in the 30s before the injury. We'll use that as a baseline. It feels like a club will need to approach with somewhere more than $37.5M to get things started, although that could certainly change if Pepi returns from injury in time to score a few more goals before this season is done and dusted.
AL: It's unlikely he will move this summer. Usually, when players sign new deals, it is rare to see them just bounce. And to be honest, it's a wise move for Pepi. He's in form whenever he plays for PSV and he could risk it all by playing for a team he has to adjust to ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The smart move is to ride this out through the World Cup, raise his stock even more and leave with a $45-55M price tag, at a bare minimum.