The Rondo: Can Inter Miami return to their MLS form, is Christian Pulisic considered world-class, and can Manchester City cope with Rodri’s absence?

GOAL US writers discuss important soccer topics, including Inter Miami’s recent performance, Christian Pulisic’s strong start, and Rodri’s injury.

Is it time to panic about Inter Miami? The Herons have dropped points against both Atlanta United and NYCFC, and their form has been less than impressive. Lionel Messi doesn’t seem fully fit, leading to concerns for the MLS Cup favorites.

Christian Pulisic is having the best season of his career so far—though it’s only been six weeks. Should he now be considered in the “World-Class” conversation? Additionally, the Premier League landscape has shifted dramatically with Rodri suffering what appears to be a season-ending ACL injury against Arsenal. Could this mark the end of Manchester City’s dominance in England?

Meanwhile, two cup competitions are set to conclude in North America this Wednesday, with MLS teams vying for silverware. As always, it’s a bit chaotic, and the GOAL US writers are ready to dive into this week’s edition of The Rondo.

Can anyone catch Inter Miami in the MLS Supporters’ Shield race?

*Tom Hindle*: Almost definitely not. The numbers don’t favor any challengers—Miami holds a nine-point lead over LA Galaxy. Although their recent form has been shaky, they haven’t lost. With Messi in the mix, they may still clinch a few more wins. While they could falter before the playoffs, it’s not yet time to panic.

*Ryan Tolmich*: No chance. Miami is simply too far ahead. Their schedule may be tough, but they sit six points clear of the Galaxy with a game in hand—and they have Messi. The Supporters’ Shield is almost certainly theirs, but the real question is how they’ll perform in the playoffs.

*Jacob Schneider*: Honestly? Yes. They’ve opened the door for a few teams, especially the Columbus Crew, to challenge for the regular-season title. If Columbus wins all their matches, including a game against Miami, and Miami ties or loses another, they could end up level on points. Miami’s fate is in their hands, but they’re navigating risky waters.

*Alex Labidou*: This seems like a typical ebb and flow of the MLS season. Unlike the Premier League, where deep benches come with high price tags, even Miami, with arguably the best squad in the league, will face challenges in player rotation and fatigue. They still maintain a six-point lead over LA Galaxy and have several favorable matches ahead. Even if they drop a few games, it’s likely they’ll secure the Eastern Conference. Regardless of home-field advantage, a Messi-led team remains formidable against any MLS opponent in the playoffs. And who truly remembers most Supporters’ Shield winners anyway?