GOAL US writers discuss the Champions League group stage, Reyna's future, MLS and big-name departures from NWSL to Europe

The exhaustive, exhausting, but somehow never boring revamped Champions League group phase is done. Some promises were delivered on: more games, big matchups, jeopardy, drama. But the final day was somehow a bit underwhelming, with most teams of consequence knowing their fate before the mammoth 18-fixture slate kicked off on Wednesday.

Still, now that's done, there's a knockout stage to analyze. Some big teams – Man City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Milan – are all facing exits before the last 16 kicks off in full. It should make for enticing viewing.

Elsewhere, there's NWSL talk aplenty. Some big names – Naomi Girma and Jenna Nighswonger among them – have left the league for England's WSL. It seems a massive loss for America's top flight. Are there any positives to be found here?

And then there's Gio Reyna situation. The midfielder is sneakily racking up minutes for Dortmund, producing a lovely backheel assist in the Champions League and showing, in flashes, that there's still a player there. Will it be enough to keep him in Mauricio Pochettino's plans for the USMNT?

It's a lot to break down. GOAL US writers weigh in on all of it, and more, in the latest edition of… The Rondo.

Getty Images SportWho will win the Champions League?

Tom Hindle: Liverpool, maybe, sort of … probably. They just seem very tough to beat this year, and Arne Slot has the kind of tactical nous to steer them through the competition. They likely would have pulled off a perfect group stage had they not put out a C team against PSV on Wednesday. Also a word for Inter, who refuse to give up in Europe, and have probably been overdue for success for some time now.

Alex Labidou: This is a tough one, especially ahead of the knockout stage draw. But for fun's sake, let's pick Arsenal. Listen, Mikel Arteta needs a significant trophy this season and it doesn't look like the Premier League is an option anymore. A matchup-driven two-leg format might be the best case for Arteta to finally showcase why he is the manager that the Gunners have backed so extensively – especially if they land Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins. Let's not forget that they have Bukayo Saka, who is England's best young player and arguably a top-five winger in world football right now. He should be back from injury by the time the Round of 16 kicks off. If Arsenal don't make a significant run in the UCL or up their game in the league, it might be time to consider the manager's future.

Ryan Tolmich: Never bet against Real Madrid until they're already out. The Spanish giants always find a way in this competition, and that feels doubly true now that Kylian Mbappe is finding his feet. Yes, there are other contenders and other great teams, but this is Madrid we're talking about. They're the kings of this competition, and they are right in the mix until they aren't.

Jacob Schneider: Tough one. Real Madrid could end up with Man City in the knockouts. Liverpool are stupendous, but Los Blancos take the cake for me.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportWhich American has the best chance to keep advancing in the UCL?

TH: None? Not sure there are any really great teams here. At a push, you'd probably have to say Milan. Christian Pulisic can be a game-changer on his day, and Milan are capabale of magic on the biggest stage. Then again, they also lost to Dinamo Zagreb and will have to play a two-leg playoff, which they could easily lose. As for Weston McKennie, Tim Weah and Juve? Nahhhhh.

AL: Let's be honest, none of these teams scream Champions League winner or anything near that. Milan's porous defense and inconsistencies at striker rule out a deep run. So what about Juventus? They are poor offensively but are relatively hard to beat – aside from an uninspiring showing in their league phase finale. The addition of Randal Kolo Muani via loan gives them some needed depth at striker and depending on who they are matched with, they could turn heads. Thiago Motta needs a strong showing to keep his job in Turin.

RT: Probably Reyna, Cole Campbell and Dortmund – and it isn't based on form, given how they've played in the Bundesliga. Simply, they have the best-looking draw. Milan, Juventus and PSV will cannibalize each other, knocking out at least a few Americans at that hurdle, while Celtic are in deep trouble when they play either Real Madrid or Bayern. That leaves Dortmund as the club sitting prettiest as they prepare to play Sporting Club de Portugal or Club Brugge.

JS: Has to be Milan or Juventus. PSV and Celtic just don’t have the caliber, and Monaco lack consistency. BVB, meanwhile, are a bit of a train wreck until they announce a new head coach.

Should Gio Reyna be on USMNT roster if he stays at Dortmund?

TH: Yes. Absolutely. There's no reason why not. He's playing a bit, contributing in flashes, and making things happen in glimpses. Should he start? That's another question. But he has enough quality to suggest that he can be a solid option off the bench, at the very least. This all, rather generously, assumes that he won't have picked up yet another injury by then.

AL: Flatly, no. Noahkai Banks has played more Bundesliga minutes than Reyna has and Banks, despite his strong potential at 18, isn't in the USMNT conversation yet. Reyna's talent is clear to see, and when on form and healthy, he's arguably the second-best USMNT player in the pool. Yet, he and his advisors have badly mismanaged his situation. Things could change, but if they stay the same, there are more players in the pool who deserve a look – which is a shame considering Pochettino's expressed need for a No. 10.

RT: Yes. Just look at what he did in the Champions League for Dortmund on Wednesday. You cannot say that, when healthy, Reyna isn't one of the top 23 American players in the world. When factoring in injuries in the team, that's even more clear. Should he start? Maybe not. There are guys in great form, after all. Reyna, though, proves himself whenever he does take the field with Dortmund – if only that happened more often.

JS: Of course he does. That’s a no-brainer. Especially with Malik Tillman’s injury, it’s not even a question.

Getty ImagesWhich MLS team had the most disappointing offseason?

TH: NYCFC. With no marquee additions to what was otherwise a pretty underwhelming roster, it feels like there will be a whole lot of treading of water until the shiny new stadium opens in 2027. Two years can be a long time. Also, does it count as a disappointment to fail to sign Neymar? If so, WYD, Miami?

AL: There are several candidates for this, but Toronto FC stand out as a frontrunner. Lorenzo Insigne is still on this roster despite three underwhelming seasons, and with one of the top five salaries in MLS. Federico Bernardeschi isn't much better and is well-paid also. This is a team that is screaming for a rebuild, but year after year, manager after manager, they keep hoping things will change with the same core. On a positive note, Robin Frazier is an underrated MLS head coach who has exceeded expectations in two unenviable positions at Chivas USA (now defunct) and the Colorado Rapids (when they were in an extreme cost-cutting mode). Considering Toronto's past when it comes to spending, here's hoping the manager gets a chance to build a team that fits his style of play.

RT: Toronto, maybe? They looked set to tear it all down and start anew and then they just didn't. Well, at least they haven't yet. Insigne is still around, and maybe Fraser can get more out of him. Right now, though, it looks like Toronto will just run it back on a horrific season last year. That doesn't smell like a recipe for success.

JS: Toronto. I’m not sold on Fraser, and the club haven’t moved Insigne, which is a must. He makes too much money to essentially underperform every week. Their transfer business in general has been lackluster, but the lack of a move there is most disappointing.