GOAL offers 10 bold predictions for a year to include the Club World Cup, Nations League, Gold Cup and SheBelieves Cup

American soccer had a largely electric year in 2024. The U.S. women's national team won Olympic gold, while the men advanced to the knockout stage in the Paris Games for the first time in 24 years. Adding to the momentum, both programs secured marquee coaching hires — Emma Hayes for the women and Mauricio Pochettino for the men — setting the stage for further success in 2025.

At the club level, Marta and the Orlando Pride claimed their first NWSL title, while the LA Galaxy returned to the summit of MLS for the first time in a decade. Blockbuster arrivals added to the excitement, with Asisat Oshoala and Racheal Kundananji joining the NWSL, while Luis Suárez, Olivier Giroud, and Marco Reus all made their way to MLS.

Overall, American soccer feels healthy. The foundations have been put in place and ambitions have never been greater. That spirit was celebrated by the GOAL Champions, the inaugural awards recognizing the most unique and most compelling players, coaches, fans and moments from soccer in the U.S. in 2024.

But that's just the beginning. Now it's on to 2025. This summer, the U.S. will host FIFA's expanded Club World Cup, featuring powerhouses such as Real Madrid, Chelsea, Inter Miami and Boca Juniors in a competitive tournament. On the international stage, both the USWNT and USMNT will have trophies to chase.

What to expect? GOAL makes 10 bold predictions for a packed 2025, a year that will include the Club World Cup, Nations League, Gold Cup, SheBelieves Cup, and more.

AFP1Alexia Putellas will come to the NWSL

Ever since Jonatan Giraldez arrived in the NWSL with the Washington Spirit last year, there have been rumors that the Spaniard has wanted to bring former Barcelona Femeni stars with him. Come 2025, that will finally happen, with two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexis Putellas arriving, where she will sign with the Spirit – forming a stupendous attacking partnership with U.S. international Trinity Rodman.

The 30-year-old signed a two-year extension with the Spanish club in May 2024, keeping her in Barcelona through 2026. However, Giraldez and owner Michelle Kang will force the hand of the club, and she will be the league's blockbuster signing of 2025 – and perhaps the final piece of the puzzle that takes the Spirit to the next level.

The Spirit and Rodman featured in NWSL's Championship game in 2024, but fell just short in the final to Marta and the Orlando Pride. They know they need to elevate their squad to climb higher, and Putellas would be the perfect fit.

AdvertisementGetty Images Sport2Gio Reyna will leave Borussia Dortmund

Gio Reyna's uptick in form in December arrived at the perfect time, considering the start of the winter transfer window. And it's time for the 21-year-old to depart Borussia Dortmund. The U.S. international plied his trade there as a teenager, broke into the first-team, and announced himself as a footballing prospect with the German club. However, the past year has been miserable for him, and regardless of what Nuri Sahin says, he will leave the in 2025.

In January 2024, he departed on loan to Premier League side Nottingham Forest – but the move was a disaster, and he struggled to even find minutes off the bench.

As he looks to take the next steps in his young career, both he and his agent will see that it's in his best interest to move on from Signal Iduna Park and test new waters – whether that be a different Bundesliga club or moving abroad to England, Spain, Italy, France or even the Netherlands.

Getty Images Sport3Neymar will move to MLS

The Brazil superstar has had a rough time since moving from France to Saudi Arabia with Al Hilal, sustaining a gruesome ACL injury while on international duty with the early on in his time with the Middle Eastern club. And upon his return in 2024-25, he encountered yet another setback with the club.

His contract expires in June 2025, and he'll be a free agent seeking his next venture. Perhaps not so coincidentally, the 32-year-old recently purchased a $26M waterfront property in Miami, only adding fuel to transfer talk.

What makes the move most likely, though, is that David Beckham and and Inter Miami will want to reunite the Brazilian with ex-Barcelona teammates Sergio busquets, Jordi Alba, Lionel Messi and now, manager Javier Mascherano.

If the can make it happen financially, it's a no-brainer of a move.

Getty4Emma Hayes will remain undefeated, win second Ballon d'Or award

After taking over the USWNT program just two months ahead of the Paris Olympics, Hayes delivered with precision. The U.S. claimed a gold medal at the Paris Games, and followed it up with a series of victories – making Hayes unbeaten in 15 games in charge of the USWNT.

Heading into 2025, that zero in the loss column isn't set to change, either. The Englishwoman and the U.S. will remain undefeated, going an entire calendar year without losing – including winning the SheBelieves Cup.

And as a reward, Hayes will once again be named Women's Coach of the Year at the prestigious Ballon d'Or ceremony, claiming it for the second straight year after her 2024 accolade.