GOAL US writers debate U.S. Olympic performances, fairness for Canada players, Euro friendlies, and takeaways from MLS ASG

Times are good in U.S. soccer. The summer got off to a miserable start with the USMNT crashing out of the Copa America in the group stage, and Gregg Berhalter's subsequent sacking. But things have since turned around – with the Olympics providing the perfect platform for growth. Both the men's and women's teams are in the quarterfinals for the first time since 2000, and the women's side look primed for a deep run.

That's not the only storyline in the beautiful game this week, though. Canada are in hot water in the wake of a spying scandal that saw the football federation use drones to film the practices of opposing teams. European teams, meanwhile, are in the midst of U.S. summer tours, with fans flocking to stadiums to watch some of the best in the world across the country.

It's a lot to breakdown, and the GOAL US writers tackle it all and more in the latest edition of… The Rondo.

Getty ImagesWill the USWNT win gold after breezing through their Olympic group?

Tom Hindle: Well, they certainly have the talent. Emma Hayes has the USWNT playing some scintillating stuff at the moment, and her front three is the most fluid attacking unit this country has seen in a long time. Still, for all of the good vibes, there remains a sense that they haven't been truly tested yet. Australia played them almost even, and Japan won't be an easy foe. Are they better than Spain, though? Probably not. But they'd probably take a silver medal.

Jacob Schneider: If we’ve seen anything from the group stage, it’s that this attack is clicking. And when they’re on their game? Maaaan, they’re fun to watch. Trinity Rodman has been brilliant, Sophia Smith looks so comfortable centrally and Mal Swanson feels like the glue for the entire attack. If they keep it up, gold could be in their future.

Ryan Tolmich: They have a great path with both Spain and France on a collision course on the other side, but it feels as if they’d still be underdogs against either of those two. This team has made great progress, so shoutout to Emma Hayes for that, but we still need to see them beat an elite team before we crown them as elite again.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesCan the USMNT beat Morocco in the Olympic quarterfinals?

TH: Maybe? The USMNT seem to be finding form at the right time. They battered Guinea in the final group game, and finally showed the kind of attacking quality that a young, exciting roster always promised. But at the same time, Morocco are good. The country is still full of energy after their unlikely World Cup run in 2022. They still have Achraf Hakimi – arguably the world's best full back – in their ranks. It will be a good game, but Morocco probably narrowly wins.

JS: Yes, but it will not be easy. Paxten Aaronson will be key, and John Tolkin will have his hands full. The Eintracht Frankfurt attacker will likely be employed at the 9 again, meaning a lot of the attacking momentum of the squad will run through him. Tolkin, meanwhile, will likely be the body tasked with keeping Hakimi quiet when he gets forward in an attacking sense. It’ll be an exciting match, if anything.

RT: Sure, why not? This team is confident and clearly has some talent. Morocco does too. They’ll have the best player on the field in Hakimi, but, otherwise, these teams feel comparable. The U.S. has a shot, for sure, and they’ll like this draw more than the expected Argentina.

USA Today ImagesAny takeaways from MLS's heavy loss to Liga MX at the All-Star Game?

TH: Not really. The All-Star Game is one of those distinct spectacles in soccer that doesn't really mean anything. MLS has played around with formats for some time, and having the Liga MX All-Stars visit makes a hell of a lot more sense than sending Arsenal's reserves to batter the league's best. But it's a game that offers little more than bragging rights. Good TV, and not much else.

JS: Agreed, not really. It’s an All-Star Game. People are out there for fun and nobody particularly takes it seriously. If anything, it was the prelude to Leagues Cup, which is now underway.

RT: Absolutely not. This isn’t even a friendly; it’s something below that. This is a pick-up game with varying levels of seriousness. Take it for what it is, have fun and move on. If you want to compare leagues, watch the Leagues Cup.

GettyWas it fair to dock Canada points at the Olympics for the federation's spying scandal?

TH: Absolutely not. Let's make this clear: the Canadian football federation cheated to gain an unfair advantage in order to win games. That is not allowed. And regardless of multiple claims about this kind of scouting being common practice, using actual drones is probably taking it too far. But the players didn't know how, exactly this all happened. They weren't involved in a massive conspiracy (or so they claim.) So, yeah, suspend the coach, ban some senior officials, but don't ruin some veterans of the game's last chance at success. Good for them for squeaking into the knockouts.

JS: From a federation standpoint, absolutely. From a moral standpoint for the players, it’s a bit frustrating and you have to feel for them. More impressive and more importantly, Canada overcame adversity and advanced as a third-place team. Incredibly inspiring to watch the group come together.

RT: Oh it’s definitely fair, but this also isn’t just a Canada thing. For as long as sports have existed and will exist, teams will look for an edge. Canada did and got caught. Simple as that. It’ll happen to others and, according to Didier Drogba and Tyler Adams, various forms of spying are not uncommon thing. Take this on the chin, Canada, and learn from it: if you’re going to bend rules, bend them smarter.