1. Inter Miami found the best version of itself
Luis Suárez’s suspension for Game 3 against Nashville SC forced Inter Miami manager Javier Mascherano into a change he probably wouldn't have made otherwise. He saw how well it worked and never went back. With Mateo Silvetti in the lineup, the Herons scored at least three goals in four consecutive elimination games. More importantly, they gave up a total of two goals after allowing three in the two games Suárez started. It all culminated in the club winning MLS Cup for the first time Saturday.
It would have been an indictment on Major League Soccer if Inter Miami would have gone through the entire playoffs without really being tested at all. The Vancouver Whitecaps made sure that didn't happen and put in an excellent performance. Every champion catches some breaks along the way, and Inter Miami is no different. As the club transitions into the next phase of the Lionel Messi project, Mascherano now knows the way to optimize his team is surrounding Messi with athletic forwards who will press and stretch the field.
2. Mo Salah made Liverpool's choice for them
Mo Salah is clearly a very prideful player who doesn't mind using his comments to the media as a negotiation tactic. In the past, his rare public statements were a way to apply pressure on Liverpool. He knew how much leverage he had, and it generally worked. His extraordinary comments after Saturday's draw with Leeds United were something entirely different. They were an aging superstar declaring that he was entitled to a spot in the starting lineup because of his past contributions.
That's not how professional sports work. To be fair to Salah, he's not the only one wondering why he's been dropped while some of his teammates are allowed to continue to play poorly. They're not entitled to their spots either. If Salah is unwilling to accept whatever role Arne Slot feels is in the best interest of the club, next weekend’s game against Brighton should be his last at the club. Salah doesn't want to be there. Liverpool don't need him, or at least this version of him. That painful reality is what makes this situation different. Salah’s leverage is gone.
3. The USMNT could not have asked for a better World Cup draw
Mexico wound up in a group with South Korea and potentially Denmark. Canada got two teams from UEFA, including a pesky Swiss side. Brazil were drawn with a semifinalist from the last World Cup. The Netherlands have to face Japan and a UEFA playoff winner. France get to deal with Erling Haaland and Senegal. England are in a deep group that also features Croatia and Ghana.
The U.S. men’s national team was in the same pot as all of those nations. Its opponents are two teams that it just beat and arguably the least dangerous of the UEFA playoff groups. Group D is one of the most balanced groups from top to bottom, but there is no question who should win it. That cannot be said for the other two host nations, which means there is absolutely no excuse if this team doesn’t deliver.
4. We’re about to learn a whole lot about Aston Villa
Aston Villa did not win a game until Sept. 25. Their first Premier League victory came three days later. Since that game against Fulham, they have only failed to win twice in all competitions and have dropped just three points in the Premier League. Emi Buendía’s goal to beat Arsenal with the last kick of the ball Saturday moved Villa to within three points of the league leaders. They are without a doubt England’s most in-form team.
What makes this resurgence even more interesting is their upcoming schedule. Their final three games of 2025 are against Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. If they keep winning, they could start the new year at the top of the table with a manageable set of fixtures ahead of them. If they struggle, they could be fighting to hold onto a Champions League spot with most of their most difficult remaining games on the road. The next few weeks will be extremely telling.
5. MLS will have a different feel next season
The Columbus Crew, Inter Miami and LAFC have won three MLS Cups and two Leagues Cups while collectively appearing in the finals of the two competitions eight times in the past four years. In many ways, they have been the league’s standard-bearers. Two of them – Columbus and LAFC – will have new coaches in 2026. Inter Miami just said goodbye to Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets, so they will be undergoing significant changes as well.
It is possible all of them experience some kind of tactical evolution. There aren't many coaches who try to play the way Wilfried Nancy does, so finding a like-minded replacement will not be easy. Marc Dos Santos may or may not carry on Steve Cherundolo’s counterattacking style in L.A. Miami's situation was outlined above. The fascinating part is that none of these potential changes are being initiated by the clubs. They are not choosing to go in a different direction; the choice is being forced upon them.