by I’m really excited about…
A full season of Lionel Messi in MLS. The GOAT made an immediate impact for Inter Miami last year, but his best moments came in the League Cup and US Open Cup. There is no guarantee that Inter Miami will succeed (see their chaotic pre-season). Messi is sure to be magical, though – assuming he can stay fit. Graham Rutherford
Watching the league’s talented young players grow. With Diego Luna, Noel Buck, and many others (including my personal favorite, who is coming up soon) ready to take a step forward, there is a great crop of talent in MLS this year. As MLS seeks to achieve global relevance, developing and selling good young players is a useful tool. Lower Joseph
The opportunity to tracking exciting young talents with big roles at the club, including those who could represent their country at this summer’s Olympics. USA Diego Luna (RSL) and Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United), 20-year-old Diego Gómez (Inter Miami) of Paraguay and 22-year-old World Cup champion Thiago Almada (Atlanta United) are just a few I .I will be watching closely. Megan Swanick
A young player who will be scouted by European clubs…
Noel Buck. The 18-year-old New England Revolution midfielder has already been linked with a number of Premier League clubs and this could be the season his development reaches another level. He registered a combined five goals and assists in 25 games last season. An improvement on that could trigger a bidding war. GR
18-year-old New York FC forward Jovan Mikatovic. Everything he has done is of elite talent. Bottom left, Mijatovic arrives in MLS from Red Star Belgrade – he was the subject of interest from Bayern Leverkusen after scoring eight goals in around 600 minutes in the Serbian final earlier this season. JL
Thiago AlmadaAtlanta United’s days feel numbered, so numbered that I’m surprised they didn’t expire this winter. 22-year-old Almada could be the big transfer of the summer. But New England Revolution’s 18-year-old starting midfielder Noel Buck looks set to receive increasing attention across the seas, especially as the dual England U19 international impresses the international scene as well. MS
Related: Remember the spine and be creative: the golden rules of MLS squad building
Inter Miami’s season will end…
With glory. Inter Miami has arguably put together the strongest roster in MLS history. They have much more than just Messi to make the difference. In fact, Tata Martino has some talented young people to do footwork Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba who are unable at this ancient stage of their careers. Inter Miami seems to have a good balance. GR
With the MLS trophy. With Lionel Messi having more than a fifth of the regular season slate that Miami would lose if Argentina were to make it to the Copa America final, Supporters’ Shield is likely off the table. But this team is built to beat a winning competition. JL
In the playoffs, but short on the trophy. In fact, I think they fall short of the final itself. There will be other opportunities for a cup though and I imagine they will take one. With participation in the Open Cup in a state of debate, their likely options are the Supporters’ Shield, the League Cup, or the Concacaf Champions Cup. With extensive travel for an aging squad a possible fatigue factor for some of that, I think the League Cup will be the most likely brass.
Your Season Pass watch team is…
The Columbus team. Wilfried Nancy’s side were not only MLS Cup winners last season, they were also the most entertaining side in the league. Columbus played a high-energy, attack-minded game and after keeping most of their squad together, there’s no reason to believe they won’t play the same way in 2024. GR
Between Miami. That’s the right answer here, uh, *gestures at everything*. But I’ll throw the Columbus Crew in here as a close second. Wilfried Nancy’s side play the most entertaining style in the entire league, firmly committed to possession while star player Cucho Hernández roams the attack. JL
The Columbus team. The reigning champions play so well, it would be criminal to neglect them for anyone else. French manager Wilfried Nancy’s second season in charge could see the team become the first repeat champions in over a decade, although the eastern conference will be hotly contested. MS
Related: Overpaid stars and transfer flops: Why every MLS team should be worried in 2024
One bold prediction…
The Jim Curtin era in Philly will come to an end. Continuity is generally considered a good thing in soccer, but there is a point at which it becomes staleness. The Philadelphia Union may now be at that point. There were signs of sagging last season. Their base numbers dropped significantly from 2022 to 2023. 2024 could mark the end of the Curtin era at Subaru Park. GR
Aaron Boupendza will be the best non-Messi attacker in MLS. The man looked absolutely incredible after moving from Saudi Arabia to FC Cincinnati last summer. He landed in the 99th percentile among MLS strikers in non-penalty xG per 90 minutes, according to FBref. Boupendza looks every bit like the real deal. JL
As the new season begins, the league has been mired in various off-field controversies, including a referee lockout and debates over the future of the US Open Cup. Now entering its 29th season, with World Cup 26 looming and ‘Messi-mania’ threatening to affect everything from roster rules to new fandom, my bold prediction is this season will be remembered as much for his evolutions off the field as one of the soccer happening on the field. MS
Your MVP will be…
Lionel Messi to win the official MVP award, because it has become taboo not to give every individual award to Argentina (see Ballon d’Or 2023). However, you asked for *my* MVP and for that I nominate Giorgos Giakumakis. The Greek is the best starting center in MLS and is a good bet to surpass the total of 19 goals in his debut season for Atlanta United. GR
Lionel Messi. I’m not as confident in this pick as I’d like to be, simply because of the games he’ll miss while in Argentina, but betting on Messi for this award seems silly. Even if he only plays in 25 games, he could still reach 25 goals and 25 goals. JL
Lionel Messi. I don’t think Inter Miami will win the league trophies available but I think on their own, it’s safe to imagine that the 36-year-old GOAT will still be the biggest player this year in Major League Soccer. MS
Related: Star signings and new coaches: Why every MLS team should be optimistic in 2024
Eastern Conference playoff teams
Atlanta United, FC Cincinnati, Columbus Crew, Inter Miami, Nashville, New England Revolution, NYC FC, New York Red Bulls, Orlando City. GR
Columbus Crew, Atlanta United, Inter Miami, FC Cincinnati, Philadelphia Union, Orlando City, New York City FC, New York Red Bulls, Nashville SC. JL
FC Cincinnati, Columbus Crew, Inter Miami, Philadelphia Union, Atlanta United, New York Red Bulls, Orlando City SC, New England Revolution, NYCFC. MS
Western Conference playoff teams
Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, LAFC, LA Galaxy, Seattle Sounders, Sporting KC, St. Louis City, Vancouver Whitecaps. GR
Seattle Sounders, LAFC, Sporting Kansas City, Vancouver Whitecaps, FC Dallas, LA Galaxy, Minnesota United, Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake. JL
LAFC, Seattle Sounders, Real Salt Lake, Colorado Rapids, St. Louis SC, FC Dallas, Sporting Kansas City, LA Galaxy, Portland Timbers. MS
Your MLS Cup champions will…
Between Miami. The management of game minutes and interference due to the Copa America means Messi and co. may struggle to challenge the Supporters’ Shield, but Inter Miami will finish comfortably above the play-off line in the East and give them the platform to make a serious MLS Cup run. We got a glimpse of what Inter Miami is capable of in the knockout format last season as they won the inaugural League Cup and reached the final of the US Open Cup. Once Inter Miami gets momentum behind them, they will be nearly impossible to stop. How many teams will be truly equipped to take them down in a single game format? I say none. GR
Between Miami. They’re not perfect — you can’t be perfect in MLS because of the roster rules designed to promote parity, rather than dynasties — but Miami will win this year’s MLS Cup. Opposing defenses will not be able to stop Messi in the playoffs, nor will they be able to match Miami’s quality and depth in the midfield. Defense will be an issue, sure, but would it bother anyone to see Tomás Avilés turn into an elite MLS center by the end of the year? Definitely not. We’ve never seen a team in MLS with a ceiling this high. JL
The Columbus team. It’s not easy to repeat the MLS Cup trophy in this parity-driven series, but the Crew appear to be a team capable of making a run for it back in ’24. Wilfried Nancy is among the most exciting managers in MLS; his team’s dominant style worked wonders in possession and in front of goal last year. While Julian Gressel (now with Inter Miami) may be missing, the Crew returns with its trophy-lifting squad more or less intact, touting an MVP contender like Colombian striker Cucho Hernández and home midfield legends like Darlington Nagbe. Nancy’s second year in Columbus will be a year to follow. MS
