GOAL US writers answer your questions on topics of interest to soccer fans in the U.S. and beyond
Welcome to GOAL Post, a periodic mailbag in which GOAL US writers answer your questions about the U.S. national teams, MLS, USL, NWSL, Americans Abroad and more.
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Getty Images SportON THE U.S. NATIONAL TEAM PLAYER POOL
QUESTION: Who are some U18 talents we could see play in a top European league in the next five years? (@alvaroszigethi)
GOAL: The first name is Cavan Sullivan of the Philadelphia Union, who will join Manchester City upon turning 18. The winger/midfielder is being touted to have a breakout season with Philly as well, despite being just 15. Another domestic name to watch is Julian Hall of the New York Red Bulls, who is attracting interest from some of the biggest names in Europe – Chelsea, Barcelona and Arsenal.
Columbus Crew forward Chase Adams is also making headlines, after he scored 10 goals with the U.S. youth national team in a recent U17 FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Virgin Islands. Fans around the country are now referring to him as "Baby Haaland."
Already in Europe, there are two names that stand out. Liverpool prospect Keyrol Figueroa and Barcelona goalkeeper Diego Kochen. Both are 18, and they are being touted for big international futures.
Kochen is a tower of a goalkeeper who is already a regular on the bench for Barcelona in cup competitions, and frequently finds himself there in domestic play as well. He's also been called into camp under Mauricio Pochettino, meaning, U.S. Soccer is in active pursuit of his international allegiance.
Figueroa, meanwhile, is the son of Honduran legend and MLS lore hero Kayrol Figueroa. Despite that, though, his father has told him to play for the U.S. – and he's opted to represent the U.S. at the youth levels. He's made waves in Liverpool's academy, and looks set for a breakout role in England.
AdvertisementImagnON THE WASHINGTON SPIRIT
QUESTION: Where do the Washington Spirit sit after a busy offseason? (@w_brown21)
GOAL: The Spirit are better than they were in 2024 – and that's saying something for the runners-up in last year's NWSL Cup. They've made a handful of roster changes, bolstering their defense while bringing in a promising rookie class.
The addition of Mexico international Rebeca Bernal is a big one, as she shores up the defense ahead of a 2025 trophy push. The club also secured the signing of San Diego State star Emma Gaines-Ramos to their senior roster, while bringing in defender Kysha Sylla on loan from France's Olympique Lyon.
More importantly, they're going to have a healthy Croix Bethune when the season starts. The 2024 NWSL Rookie of the Year broke out for both club and country before suffering a season-ending injury. Pair her with their already star-studded attack alongside U.S. international Trinity Rodman, and it's a fearsome XI.
The biggest storyline for the Spirit may be what rests ahead, though. With an ambitious owner like Michele Kang in charge of the club, you have to wonder if they make a splash in the market. The European season is coming to a close – do they pursue a former player of manager Jonatan Giraldez? Do they bring in a big-name player out of the WSL? That's what the rumor mill churning, at least.
If there was one name that would really be blockbuster, it would be Barcelona's Alexia Putellas. Now 31, Putellas is coming to the closing stages of her pro career, but is still one of the best in the world despite that. Bringing her in would put the Spirit as NWSL Cup favorites, while it would also see Giraldez reunite with a player who he found immense success with in Spain.
IMGANON BEN BENDER
QUESTION: Where does Ben Bender's career go from here? (@graham.scheper)
GOAL: This is a fascinating question, because it is a crossover of NCAA to USL to MLS for one of the best collegiate soccer players in recent years. Bender was selected No. 1 overall by Charlotte FC in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft out of Maryland, where he scored seven goals and recorded 18 assists in his sophomore season with the Terrapins.
His debut season started in fantastic fashion, as he made 28 appearances for CLT while scoring three goals and recording six assists. He followed it up in 2023 with 17 appearances, with three goals and three assists, but suffered a knee injury in September 2023 that sidelined him for eight months.
In the 2024 MLS season under Dean Smith, Bender was injured when the Englishman took over, and upon his return from fitness, struggled to break in with the ex-Aston Villa manager. He made six appearances before being sent on loan to USL side Tampa Bay Rowdies in September of last year to get consistent minutes. He made nine appearances for the Rowdies, recording one assist.
In 2025, he was an unused substitute for CLT on opening day when they drew the Seattle Sounders 2-2. It would not be a surprise if another MLS team tries to make a play for him within the first month of the campaign, as he's shown his value as a role-playing midfielder as an 8 or a 10 in this league.
However, at 23, he needs to start playing regularly. He can't afford to ride the bench for Charlotte this season, so the next step for him is to force his way into the XI or start looking for a change of scenery.
GettyON CALIBER OF MLS
QUESTION: Over/Under 20 years until MLS is a top-3 league in soccer? (@JackCahill1124)
GOAL: This is a fascinating question, simply because if you looked at MLS 30 years ago from present day, you'd be mocked if you said they'd have the greatest player the world has ever seen in Lionel Messi playing and winning regularly in the league.
Who knows what happens in the next decade, or two. However, the goal has to be that MLS will be on-par with some of Europe's top leagues, and actively competing for player transfers. MLS' growth as a whole is unprecedented – from attendance to club valuations to the talent pool. The league is at its most competitive level, and that has to be viewed as immense progress.
The goal would be to see a club such as the LA Galaxy vying for the transfer of a player from Juventus in his prime, while Bayern Munich are also chasing his signature, right? And you would want an MLS team to be viewed as a contended for a FIFA Club World Cup title, for example.
Yes, 20 years is a long time, but if the league continues on its current trajectory, those theoreticals could become reality.
