MLS 2024 Forecast: Is there a team capable of preventing Lionel Messi and Inter Miami's success?

February 21, 2024

MLS 2024 Forecast: Is there a team capable of preventing Lionel Messi and Inter Miami's success?

The upcoming season, commencing this week, sparks anticipation among our panel of writers. Key points of interest include Lionel Messi's full season with Inter Miami, offering potential magic despite the team's uncertain pre-season. Additionally, the focus is on the growth of talented young players like Diego Luna, Noel Buck, and others, crucial for MLS's global relevance. Tracking promising talents with significant roles in major clubs, such as Diego Luna (RSL), Caleb Wiley (Atlanta United), Diego Gómez (Inter Miami), and Thiago Almada (Atlanta United), adds excitement, especially considering potential interest from European clubs. Notably, 18-year-old Noel Buck from the New England Revolution, already linked to Premier League clubs, could attract considerable attention this season with his promising five goals and assists in 25 games last season.

Jovan Mijatović, the 18-year-old forward for New York City FC, exhibits the qualities of a potential elite talent. With a tall and left-footed playing style, Mijatović joins MLS from Red Star Belgrade, drawing interest from Bayer Leverkusen after an impressive performance of eight goals in approximately 600 minutes in Serbia's top-flight earlier this season.

Thiago Almada's time with Atlanta United appears to be dwindling, and it's surprising they didn't conclude this winter. The 22-year-old Almada could be a significant summer transfer, but the spotlight is also on 18-year-old Noel Buck, the starting midfielder for the New England Revolution. As he garners increasing attention, especially with his international performances as a dual-national U19 England player, Buck is poised to attract interest from overseas.

Inter Miami's season is expected to conclude with glory, as they have arguably assembled the strongest roster in MLS history. Beyond Messi, Tata Martino has a cadre of talented youngsters to contribute, addressing the physical demands that Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba may find challenging at this stage of their veteran careers. The team seems to strike a good balance.

The prediction is also for Inter Miami to secure an MLS Cup trophy. While Lionel Messi might miss over a fifth of Miami's regular season if Argentina advances to the Copa America final, the Supporters' Shield might be challenging. However, the team is well-equipped to excel in knockout tournaments.

While Inter Miami is expected to make it to the playoffs, I anticipate they will fall short of securing the championship trophy. However, there are other opportunities for them to claim a trophy, and I envision they will seize one. Considering the uncertainty surrounding Open Cup participation and the potential fatigue factor for an aging squad due to extensive travel, my guess is that a repeat of the Leagues Cup is the most likely accolade for them.

Your must-watch 'Season Pass' team should be the Columbus Crew. Coached by Wilfried Nancy, they not only secured the MLS Cup last season but also displayed the most entertaining style in the league. With the majority of their squad intact, there's every reason to expect them to continue their high-energy, attack-minded game in 2024.

Inter Miami is another compelling choice given the intriguing circumstances surrounding the team. However, as a close second, I'd recommend keeping an eye on the Columbus Crew. Wilfried Nancy's squad plays an entertaining style, emphasizing possession and featuring the dynamic attacking presence of star player Cucho Hernández.

The Columbus Crew remains a must-watch team for the 'Season Pass.' As the reigning champions, they play an aesthetically pleasing style that should not be overlooked. Under the guidance of French manager Wilfried Nancy, entering his second season in charge, the Crew has the potential to become the first repeat champions in over a decade, although the competition in the Eastern Conference will be fierce.

One bold prediction …

The tenure of Jim Curtin in Philadelphia is poised to come to an abrupt end. While continuity is generally valued in soccer, there comes a point where it can lead to stagnation. The signs of a decline were evident last season as the Philadelphia Union experienced a significant drop in underlying numbers from 2022 to 2023. The upcoming 2024 season could mark the conclusion of the Curtin era at Subaru Park.

Aaron Boupendza is anticipated to emerge as the most impactful non-Messi attacker in MLS. His remarkable performance after transferring from Saudi Arabia to FC Cincinnati last summer was nothing short of impressive. According to FBref, Boupendza ranked in the 99th percentile among MLS strikers in non-penalty expected goals per 90 minutes. All indications suggest that Boupendza is the real deal.

As the new season commences, the league finds itself entangled in several off-field controversies, including a referee lockout and heated discussions about the future of the US Open Cup. Now entering its 29th season, with the looming '26 World Cup and the pervasive influence of 'Messi-mania' impacting aspects from roster rules to new fan engagement, my bold prediction is that this season will be remembered as much for its off-field transformations as for the soccer events transpiring on the pitch.

Your MVP will be …

Lionel Messi is expected to secure the official MVP award, following the trend of bestowing individual accolades on the Argentine, as evident in the 2023 Ballon d'Or. However, for my personal MVP nomination, I propose Giorgos Giakoumakis. The Greek player stands out as the premier traditional center-forward in MLS and is likely to surpass his debut season's goal tally of 19 for Atlanta United.

While Lionel Messi is my pick, there's a degree of uncertainty due to the matches he'll miss while representing Argentina. Nevertheless, betting against Messi for this award seems unwise. Even if he participates in only 25 games, he could still achieve remarkable figures with 25 goals and 25 assists.

In my view, Lionel Messi is poised to be the standout individual game-changer in Major League Soccer this year, despite my belief that Inter Miami may not sweep all available league trophies.

Western Conference playoff teams include the Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, LAFC, LA Galaxy, Seattle Sounders, Sporting KC, St Louis City, and Vancouver Whitecaps, according to one perspective. Another viewpoint lists Seattle Sounders, LAFC, Sporting Kansas City, Vancouver Whitecaps, FC Dallas, LA Galaxy, Minnesota United, Portland Timbers, and Real Salt Lake. A third perspective suggests LAFC, Seattle Sounders, Real Salt Lake, Colorado Rapids, St. Louis SC, FC Dallas, Sporting Kansas City, LA Galaxy, and Portland Timbers.

The predicted MLS Cup champions are Inter Miami. While challenges in managing game minutes and disruptions due to the Copa America might impact their pursuit of the Supporters' Shield, Inter Miami is expected to secure a comfortable position above the playoff line in the East, providing a strong foundation for a serious MLS Cup run. The team's success in knockout formats, winning the inaugural Leagues Cup and reaching the US Open Cup final last season, indicates their potential dominance once they gain momentum. The belief is that no team will be adequately equipped to stop them in a single-game format.

Another perspective also predicts Inter Miami as the MLS Cup champions, acknowledging that perfection is elusive in MLS due to parity-driven roster rules. However, Messi's impact in the playoffs, combined with Miami's quality and depth in central midfield, is expected to overcome defensive challenges. The potential development of Tomás Avilés into an elite MLS center back adds to their strength.

The Columbus Crew is considered a strong contender for the MLS Cup, with expectations of repeating the trophy in the parity-driven league. Coach Wilfried Nancy's inspired management, the team's dominant style in possession and goal-scoring, and the return of key players contribute to their capability to compete. Despite the departure of Julian Gressel to Inter Miami, the Crew retains a squad that won the trophy, featuring MVP contenders like Cucho Hernández and midfield stalwarts like Darlington Nagbe. Wilfried Nancy's second year in Columbus is anticipated to be closely monitored.

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