'The chance to get those big players' - Apple TV's Bradley Wright-Phillips on why MLS's fall-spring switch is a game-changer, Lionel Messi's MLS Cup impact and LA Galaxy's threat in 2026

Mic'd Up: The Apple TV analyst breaks down Inter Miami’s MLS Cup win, explains why Messi still decides everything, backs MLS’s move to a fall-spring calendar, and tips LA Galaxy to rebound in 2026.

Bradley Wright-Phillips got it wrong. He will be the first to admit it. The New York Red Bulls legend tried to get clever with the MLS Cup. He saw the Vancouver Whitecaps throughout the season and said they would beat Inter Miami in the final.

"Vancouver are probably, on their day, the best team in the league. I'm talking about every position. They're so flipping good, man. I actually had them as favorites to win, like an idiot," the former New York Red Bulls star says to GOAL, before pausing.

"But it doesn't matter against Miami."

That turned out to be a pretty succinct summary of the final, which Miami won 3-1. Vancouver played better. But Lionel Messi is Lionel Messi, and he makes a difference pretty much every time.

"Watching him play the last two games of the season, that's the quietest I've seen him still. He still had a very big impact. That is the difference between him and the rest of us mere mortals. He can quickly go by two players, get his head up, and play the perfect ball in for an assist," he says

But for Wright Phillips, who works for Apple TV as an analyst and has been a stalwart of the American soccer scene for nearly 15 years, there's more to think about. Most of it is in the future. MLS announced a switch to a fall-spring calendar. He loves it.

"It just makes sense. I think we're going to hear what the rest of the world is saying in terms of the transfer window. It gives us here in America the chance to get those big players, to compete with the rest of Europe and the rest of the world," he adds.

And then there's next season to think about - already. Every year, MLS shifts. Sure, Miami and Vancouver will be around. But LA Galaxy, he thinks, will be back to their best after a rotten campaign.

Wright-Phillips looked back at the MLS Cup final and made some far-too-early predictions for the 2026 season in another edition of Mic'd Up, GOAL’s recurring feature that brings the perspective of analysts, announcers, and other voices on the state of soccer in the U.S. and beyond.

NOTE: This interview has been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.

ON MLS CUP

GOAL: What'd you think of the MLS Cup final?

WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: The final was a spectacle. It was brilliant, the setup, the occasion, the two teams. The potential of it was unbelievable, to be the biggest game in MLS Cup history. Yeah, just what was surrounding. I thought both teams deserved to get to the final. Normally, when you get an MLS Cup, it's one team that's kind of stumbled through the playoffs, played really defensively. They could have finished ninth in the East and got to the final [through their defense]. Both teams, for me, were good and strong and deserved to be there.

And it's obviously Alba and Busquets' last game. You get Messi versus Muller. So that part was amazing. I thought the actual match itself wasn't great. You're in the final. You don't want to lose. MLS Cup is on the line. So I thought that showed on the pitch, and it just turned into a fight, almost. But I enjoyed it. It was good to see Messi and Co. roll their sleeves up and really see the nasty side of them. I think it became a game of whoever could take their chances. I always say when you play against Inter Miami, it doesn't matter what they're playing like, if you don't score two or more goals, you're probably not winning that game. Vancouver had some chances and didn't take them. When you're playing against Messi and these superstars, they're gonna punish you.

GOAL: Is it fair to say that Vancouver might have been better on the day?

WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: Vancouver were a better team. They were a better football team than [Inter Miami]. I said this on the shows before the final. They're a better football team. Vancouver are probably, on their day, the best team in the league. I'm talking about every position. They're so flipping good, man. I actually had them as favorites to win, like an idiot. For an hour, in the middle of that game. But it doesn't matter against Miami.

GOAL: Javier Mascherano talked about the "efficiency" of Leo Messi to win it. What did you make of his performance?

WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: I think that's quite a nice way of summing it up. The perfect word is efficiency. Messi, for the last two games, wasn't that good. But he has an impact on the game. He needs to get the ball in a certain area. He'll do a bit of magic, play a ball in, and end up leaving the game with two assists. Watching him play the last two games of the season, that's the quietest I've seen him still. He still had a very big impact. That is the difference between him and the rest of us mere mortals. He can quickly go by two players, get his head up, and play the perfect ball in for an assist. I don't think he was good in terms of, like, a whole 90-minute game.

ON CHANGES IN MLS

GOAL: Looking ahead, though. Fall-Spring calendar: what do you make of that? Is that the kind of thing you wish you'd had? Or did you not think about it?

WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: No, I wish we did have that. Coming from England and playing in England last part of my career, I always enjoyed, like, a summer break. When I would go home through MLS seasons, I would have to go at Christmas. It was cold. Family members are still working or quite busy, you know? But for summer, it's a better time, especially for my kids as well. They're off school. They can hang out for a bit longer.

And for the league, it just makes sense. I think we're going to hear what the rest of the world is saying in terms of the transfer window. It gives us here in America the chance to get those big players to compete with the rest of Europe and the rest of the world. It makes sense. And also international breaks. We're losing players due to FIFA windows. It doesn't make sense. In big games in the season, you need your best players. There are a lot of advantages to it, and I definitely welcome it.

GOAL: What other changes would you like to see?

WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: I think when I first came over, the salary cap. But I'm so used to all of this stuff. The league is improving all the time, and I don't think there needs to be a rush in anything. I think it's going at a great pace. I've said before, the league is 30 years old. How quick has this thing moved? It's probably a top 10 league in the world. Some people would argue higher. So I think it's going in the right direction. I just think you have to keep developing the players in the academies. But just as important are the coaches. Yeah, this year, we saw some first-time MLS coaches in the MLS Cup.

I think we've got to get away from just reverting to legends all the time. And respect, there are still some legends that will do a great coaching job. But I think MLS has gone away from just saying, "Okay, let's just go and get him. Let's just go and get him." I don't want to name names, because still, some of them are very good, but I think we know where I'm going. You need to see Jesper Sorensens get into a final, even Javier Mascherano. He's got a super team, but it's not easy to coach those players.

I remember Inter Miami just looking like the Harlem Globetrotters during the first quarter of the season. They were fun to watch, but they were terrible defensively. They had no structure, just heavily reliant on Leo Messi and Luis Suarez. But when you watch them towards the end of the season, they almost sacrifice some football, drop Suarez, and they were a team that looked structured, difficult to beat. The final was a perfect example of that. It wasn't pretty, but they're hard to beat. They're going to fight, and then they have those game changers when they need them. The coaching for me is levels above where it's ever been.

ON WHO WILL TAKE A STEP FORWARD NEXT SEASON

GOAL: Who's the team that's going to take the biggest step forward next year?

WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: I'm leaving out all the teams that I think are good. So the teams that you saw end the season well: the San Diegos, Inter Miamis, LAFC, I'm leaving those out. But I'll say LA Galaxy. I think LA Galaxy was terrible last year, under the level that we're used to seeing them at. But I think they'll have a good transfer window. They got Riqui Puig coming back. I think we see them competing again.

ON WHO WILL TAKE A STEP BACK

GOAL: So who goes the opposite way? Or who overperformed a little?

WRIGHT-PHILLIPS: I always worry about, and they never live up to expectations, is Austin. They came into the league with a bang, and because of that, there's always a big expectation. But I still don't think they figured out a true identity over there. I don't think they figured out what they really want to be yet. I don't think they've got the right DPs in to me. They just don't convince me. And I thought last year they just a bit, they kind of just about figured it out towards the end of the season, but it wasn't good enough.

PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF MIC'D UP

Dec. 5: Dax McCarty, Part 2: Apple TV analyst on Javier Mascherano benching Luis Suárez helped elevate Inter Miami, praises ‘must-watch’ Thomas Muller and Vancouver ahead of MLS Cup

Dec. 3: Dax McCarty: ‘I feel pride watching this team again’ - Apple TV’s Dax McCarty on Mauricio Pochettino

Nov. 15: Kacey White: ESPN analyst and NWSL legend on the hectic college soccer season, why UNC may struggle to repeat, and who could win

Nov. 14: Taylor Twellman: Apple TV analyst breaks down MLS schedule change, Son Heung-Min’s rise with LAFC, playoff upsets, and Inter Miami’s Luis Suárez dilemma

Nov. 4 - Geoff Shreeves: CBS Sports Golazo analyst on Arsenal's depth, Liverpool's struggles and Wrexham's Championship reality check

Oct. 29 - Kaylyn Kyle: Apple TV analyst on Thomas Muller and 'amazing' Vancouver Whitecaps, reborn Inter Miami, and Canada's 2026 World Cup ambitions

Oct. 24 - Steve McManaman: ESPN analyst on Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid, El Clasico, and why 'excellent' Jude Bellingham must be in England squad

Oct. 20 - Alexi Lalas: FOX analyst praises Mauricio Pochettino for adding bite to USMNT, but says 'jury's still out' on World Cup success

Oct. 17 - Herculez Gomez: ESPN analyst backs December Barcelona-Villarreal match in Miami, but warns 'if you allow La Liga, you're allowing everybody'

Oct. 16 - Herculez Gomez: ESPN analyst unconvinced by USMNT's Mauricio Pochettino, but calls recent results 'his most impressive window'

Oct. 2 - Clive Tyldesley:CBS analyst on Americans in the Champions League, 'big year' for USMNT at the World Cup and protecting young footballers

Sept. 30 - David Villa: Spain legend and DAZN analyst on Barcelona's Champions League hopes, 'amazing' Lamine Yamal and 'great opportunity' for U.S. to host World Cup

Sept. 17 - Stu Holden: FOX analyst on Gio Reyna's revival, Christian Pulisic’s AC Milan future and how Mauricio Pochettino can form 'U.S. team that makes us excited'

Sept. 11 - Maurice Edu: Apple TV analyst grades Mauricio Pochettino's first year as USMNT boss, wonders where Weston McKennie has been?

Sept. 9 - Sacha Kljestan: Apple TV analyst urges USMNT's Mauricio Pochettino to stick with core group, weighs in on MLS and Inter Miami's Luis Suarez

Aug. 28 - Keith Costigan: Apple TV analyst on Arsenal's need for a trophy, why 'writing off Liverpool is absolutely silly' and how Club World Cup can spark MLS growth

Aug. 21 - Marcelo Balboa: Apple TV analyst calls out fellow former USMNT players for vitriol toward Christian Pulisic, hails impact of Son Heung-Min in MLS

Aug. 15 - Nedum Onuoha: ESPN analyst on why Antonee Robinson is 'as good as any' defender in Premier League, concerns over Alexander Isak, expected Man City rebound

Aug. 6 - Kasey Keller: ESPN analyst calls out Mauricio Pochettino's underwhelming record with USMNT, hails Matt Turner's 'brilliant' return to MLS

July 31 - Andres and Nico Cantor: Father-son analysts on Mauricio Pochettino's chief challenge with USMNT, and Inter Miami's Leo Messi 'completing football

July 29 - Dax McCarty: Apple TV's Dax McCarty on why MLS was right to suspend Lionel Messi, the new Leagues Cup format, and why Club America is favorite

July 25 - Derek Rae: ESPN commentator on Gio Reyna's flawed fit at Dortmund, why 'nobody knows' how good 22-year-old USMNT midfielder can be

July 7 - Callum Williams: Apple TV, world soccer commentator on the impact of Brazilian teams at the Club World Cup

June 27 - Kyle Martino: TNT analyst on USMNT goalscoring void, the state of the program and the return of Showdown to NYC

June 23 - Dax McCarty: Apple TV analyst on the opportunity, pressure facing Mauricio Pochettino and USMNT ahead of World Cup

June 19 - Herculez Gomez: ESPN analyst on why he's bullish about Club World Cup, memories of playing in CWC, how 2026 World Cup could be 'biggest sporting event ever'

June 17 - Herculez Gomez:ESPN analyst on Christian Pulisic controversy, state of USMNT, fractures in fan base and his admiration for 'highly relatable' Diego Luna

June 11 - Diego Valeri: Apple TV+ analyst on Lionel Messi’s MLS impact, supporting rival Sounders at Club World Cup, and U.S. and Argentina ties

May 21 - Taylor Twellman: Apple TV+ analyst on 'exciting' matchups in the Club World Cup, why a top European team will win, and how Inter Miami can benefit

May 13 - Kay Murray: ESPN FC analyst on Americans supporting Club World Cup, European teams vying for trophy, and whether an MLS team can make a run

May 9 - Luis Garcia: ESPN Analyst on Barcelona and 'fantastic' Lamine Yamal, why Real Madrid lack a philosophy, and Trent Alexander-Arnold leaving Liverpool

May 1 - Derek Rae: ESPN analyst on Harry Kane's trophy quest, Gio Reyna's Borussia Dortmund struggles, the meaning behind 'the smell of the stable'

April 28 - Christina Unkel: CBS Sports rules analyst on VAR challenges, 'visibility' in refereeing, former players becoming officials

April 25 - Alejandro Moreno: ESPN FC pundit on Kylian Mbappe's Real Madrid disappointment, Carlo Ancelotti's final season, 'best in the world' Lamine Yamal

April 24 - Bradley Wright-Phillips: Apple TV analyst on the 'brilliance' of Lionel Messi, 'chippy' Inter Miami, and why Kevin De Bruyne's next team should be NYCFC

April 22 - Ali Krieger: ESPN analyst on Naomi Girma's Chelsea move, the 'amazing' Emma Hayes and why NWSL 'can't just dilute the league by expanding'

April 16 - Jamie Carragher: CBS analyst on Club World Cup and packed schedule, 'disappointing' Trent Alexander-Arnold, 'delightful' Mo Salah deal

April 14 - Kevin Egan: Apple TV+ host on the 2026 World Cup, 2025 Club World Cup and growth of game in America

April 11 - Kay Murray: ESPN FC host on Harry Kane and Bayern Munich's Bundesliga ambitions, 'undeniable talent' of Gio Reyna, and Ballon d'Or race without 'a standout contender'

April 8 - Kevin Egan: Apple TV analyst on possible Kevin De Bruyne link with Lionel Messi and MLS, Cavan Sullivan's 'swagger' and 'next-level' Wilfried Nancy

March 26 - Kasey Keller: 'Guys that would rather be on the beach' - ESPN's Kasey Keller knocks 'general malaise' of USMNT players, says Mauricio Pochettino must show 'he's 100 percent committed'

March 21 - Kaylyn Kyle: Apple TV studio analyst on Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, the 'chaotic' nature of MLS, why NWSL player exodus could 'hurt the league

March 13 - Micah Richards: CBS Sports analyst on Man City's future, why Real Madrid will win Champions League, and that bet with Jude Bellingham

March 11 - Antonella Gonzalez: Apple TV’s Antonella Gonzalez on interviewing Inter Miami's Lionel Messi, the rise of Latin American influence in MLS, and being a Hispanic woman in broadcasting

March 4 - Nico Cantor: CBS Analyst on 'world-class' Mauricio Pochettino, 'mixed' Champions League format, and why USL can compete with MLS

Feb 26 - Andrew Wiebe: Apple TV analyst Andrew Wiebe on San Jose Earthquakes' 'massive offseason', Kevin De Bruyne's potential MLS arrival, league’s growth

Feb. 20 - Taylor Twellman: Apple TV's analyst on Lionel Messi's Inter Miami 'laying an egg' in MLS playoffs, Cavan Sullivan, and why Cincinnati are a threat

Feb. 18 - Taylor Twellman: Apple TV analyst on USMNT World Cup aspirations, Mauricio Pochettino, and team's signature wins - or lack thereof

Feb. 11 - Maurice Edu: Apple TV analyst on national team's potential, Cavan Sullivan's 'borderline arrogance' and 'global shop window' of MLS

Jan. 30 - Keith Costigan: Apple TV commentator on Mo Salah and Liverpool, the Olivier Giroud experiment at LAFC and more

Jan 28 - Nigel Reo-Coker: CBS Sports Golazo Network analyst on the new Champions League format, state of American soccer and Aston Villa

Jan 20 - Kate Scott: CBS Sports host on the American soccer psyche, USMNT's 'statement' hire in Mauricio Pochettino, 'enormous' 2026 World Cup and why Liverpool will win Champions League

Jan 13 - DaMarcus Beasley: USMNT legend on Lionel Messi's mindset, the 'good groove' for MLS and why Mauricio Pochettino is the 'right man for the job'

Jan. 9 - Callum Williams: Soccer analyst on Lionel Messi and 2025 Club World Cup, 'naivety towards' South American soccer, 'preposterous' that Jack Grealish has 'lost it'

Jan. 2 - Jenny Chiu: CBS reporter on 'big changes' by Emma Hayes, Mauricio Pochettino's 'pedigree' and possible UCL glory for Inter

Dec. 17 - Stu Holden: FOX Sports analyst on the evolution of the American game, why Christian Pulisic will be 'best U.S. Soccer player of all-time'

Dec. 12 - Brian Dunseth: Turner, Apple TV analyst on Ricardo Pepi, Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna and USMNT's future under Mauricio Pochettino

Dec. 5 - Jalil Anibaba: Apple TV analyst on MLS Cup predictions, Inter Miami hiring Javier Mascherano and MLS's 'disheartening' coaching diversity issue

Nov. 21 - Andres Cantor: Telemundo legend on Mauricio Pochettino's Argentine mindset, the USMNT and having a front-row seat for the rise of the American game

Nov. 16 - Matt Doyle: Apple TV analyst assesses Inter Miami's defensive 'insanity,' whether Neymar could join Lionel Messi, MLS Cup favorite

Nov. 7 - Gary Neville: Veteran analyst talks USMNT World Cup hopes, 'hell of a player' Christian Pulisic, 'relentless' David Beckham, and Cristiano Ronaldo to MLS

Oct. 31 - Herculez Gomez: ESPN FC analyst on Mauricio Pochettino's impact, the USMNT's 'wide-open' striker race, and a player pool 'that lacks accountability'

Oct. 29 - Rebecca Lowe: NBC host on the growth of soccer, the 'incredible' Emma Hayes and 'profile-raising' Mauricio Pochettino

Oct. 24 - Andrew Wiebe: Apple TV analyst on MLS playoffs, Lionel Messi's 'nuclear form' and how Inter Miami can become league's 'greatest team of all time

Oct. 17 - Jamie Carragher: Veteran analyst talks USMNT, slams Man City over legal case, questions Mauricio Pochettino despite 'great' hire