The common season was outlined by …
If final season was outlined by Lionel Messi, this one was about Inter Miami as a complete. The membership constructed the aircraft as they have been flying it, stretching the MLS rulebook to its absolute restrict because it added gamers, shedded others, and ended the season with the . Massive spending and sporting success haven’t normally gone hand-in-hand in MLS, however 2024 was the yr that Miami confirmed that period is properly and actually over. AA
Extra enjoyable, fascinating groups than we’ve ever seen take the sphere in a single MLS season. Within the league’s twenty ninth marketing campaign, 4 groups averaged a minimum of 1.87 factors per sport (which interprets to a minimum of a 64-point tempo throughout the prevailing 34-game schedule) for the primary time. Hats off to Miami, Columbus, LAFC, and the Galaxy. JL
Inter Miami chasing – and reaching – historical past. Even when Messi wasn’t there over the summer season, it was about whether or not Tata Martino may preserve his crew on observe for the Supporters’ Defend. That Inter Miami have been in a position to keep constant kind over the total season says rather a lot about their spectacular squad-building. It’s not all about Messi, because it seems. GR
Greatest crew that didn’t make the playoffs …
It’s fairly clear that the Philadelphia Union are a a lot better crew than they confirmed this yr. They nonetheless have lots of expertise, a productive academy system, and many of the key figures that made them a 2022 MLS Cup finalist and constant menace for the final a number of years. The defending was too haphazard in 2024 although, leading to lots of misplaced leads – a league-worst 27 factors dropped from profitable positions. AA
You need to be fairly darn unhealthy – or fairly darn unfortunate – to overlook the playoffs in a league the place 62% of groups make the postseason. The Philadelphia Union, who completed with the eighth-best xG differential within the league in accordance with FBref, in all probability fall into that latter class. JL
2024 may have been very totally different for FC Dallas had they been in a position to get their finest gamers on the pitch extra typically. Accidents hit the Texans arduous. Two (Alan Velasco and Jesus Ferreira) of their three Designated Gamers performed below 1,400 minutes over the marketing campaign. Even Petar Musa, who scored 16 targets, was bitten by a Frisco damage bug that compromised Dallas’s season. GR
Your darkish horses are …
Within the West: Vancouver. Wednesday’s 5-0 thrashing of Portland within the wildcard sport can have them flying excessive, and in Ryan Gauld they’ve a particular participant who can flip the fortunes of nearly any sport. Within the East: Charlotte FC. Kristijan Kahlina has put in a number of match-winning performances this yr, and there’s no purpose to assume he isn’t able to one thing comparable within the playoffs. AA
Although the playoff discipline is extra top-heavy than ever, I’m not ready to wager towards the Seattle Sounders. They’ve the league’s finest protection based mostly on targets and xG allowed, to not point out postseason expertise. Minnesota United may shock, too, provided that the highest of the West appears to be like extra susceptible than the highest of the East. JL
Minnesota United. The sixth seeds within the Western Convention have carried out admirably this season contemplating Eric Ramsay’s late arrival, and the Loons may need timed their run for the playoffs completely, profitable 4 of their ultimate 5 regular-season video games. If Kelvin Yeboah can keep sizzling, Minnesota may go far. GR
Massive crew vulnerable to going out early …
LA Galaxy. Greg Vanney’s aspect have been nice enjoyable to look at, however they boast the worst defensive report of all playoff qualifiers. Their opponents Colorado have misplaced 4 straight heading into the playoffs, however then so had Vancouver earlier than dominating Portland. Djordje Mihailovic is adept at choosing aside defenses, and the Galaxy’s may very well be subsequent in line. AA
Each No 3 seeds – FC Cincinnati and Actual Salt Lake – may exit within the first spherical. But when I’m going actually large? A primary spherical or convention semifinal meltdown is completely not beneath the LA Galaxy. They’re an elite attacking crew, however one with enormous defensive flaws. JL
FC Cincinnati. Pat Noonan’s crew might battle to stay as much as their billing as third seeds within the East. Accidents have depleted Cincy, with Aaron Boupendza’s contract termination leaving them wanting a match-winning No 9. Issues at each ends of the pitch makes FC Cincinnati susceptible towards New York Metropolis FC in spherical one. GR
Participant to look at …
It’s Messi. Sorry. However for those who’re in search of a barely extra under-the-radar choice than essentially the most well-known and finest participant to ever kick a ball, might I counsel Actual Salt Lake’s Diego Luna. The US youth worldwide’s energetic type and aptitude for the dramatic places him proper at house in a aspect that’s all the time eager on making any sport a battle. AA
Messi, after all, is the appropriate reply. However let’s give Cucho Hernández some love, lets? The 25-year-old Columbus Crew star is a component striker, half winger, half attacking midfielder, and all enjoyable. He’s labored his approach into the Colombian nationwide crew and is the one who makes Wilfried Nancy’s system sing. JL
Gabriel Pec may very well be the important thing to the LA Galaxy making a deep run. The Brazilian is in distinctive kind, having scored in every of his final 5 video games. If he can preserve that up, the Cup may very well be on its strategy to Carson once more. GR
Japanese Convention ultimate …
Inter Miami over Columbus Crew. AA
Inter Miami over Columbus Crew. JL
Columbus Crew over Inter Miami. GR
Western Convention ultimate …
Actual Salt Lake over Seattle Sounders. AA
LAFC over LA Galaxy. JL
LAFC over LA Galaxy. GR
MLS Cup ultimate …
Inter Miami over Actual Salt Lake. Actual Salt Lake have an opportunity to satisfy their function as MLS’s everlasting darkish horse, they usually’ll present sufficient battle to make the sport a traditional. However everyone knows how that is going to finish. In a one-off format, in a ultimate, I don’t assume there’s any level in doubting what Messi, Luis Suárez, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and all of their teammates can do. AA
Inter Miami over LAFC. I’m not daring (or silly?) sufficient to choose towards an Inter Miami crew with the best participant ever recent off setting the single-season factors report. We’ve by no means seen something like 2024 Inter Miami in MLS, and neither have opposing defenses by the appears to be like of it. They’ll have greater than sufficient juice to elevate MLS Cup. JL
Columbus Crew over LAFC. After Messi Mania and referee lockouts and US Open Cup controversy and every thing else in between, a rematch of final yr’s MLS Cup ultimate may very well be on the playing cards. Inter Miami have Messi, however Columbus have Wilfried Nancy and never solely do the Crew play essentially the most thrilling model of soccer in MLS, they know the best way to win knockout matches. GR