The 2024 Major League Soccer season is well underway. FC Cincinnati is setting the pace at the top of the Eastern Conference, just as they did last year, while the LA Galaxy has also enjoyed a strong start to the campaign in the Western Conference.
Of course, there is still plenty scope for the landscape to change between now and the end of the season. Nonetheless, enough time has passed for some conclusions to be drawn. Here are five of them.
Inter Miami’s squad depth will determine its success or failure
Lionel Messi has played just three of Inter Miami’s seven MLS matches so far this season. Nobody expected the 36-year-old to play every minute of every game for the Herons, but Tata Martino has been forced to dip his hand into Inter Miami’s squad depth more frequently than he surely would have liked.
Luis Suarez has five goals in his first seven appearances in MLS while Julian Gressel has settled in quickly after making the move to Chase Stadium in the off-season. Whenever he’s on the pitch, Messi is Inter Miami’s primary difference-maker, but the success or failure of the Herons’ season will come down to its depth.
Joseph Paintsil has completely changed the dynamic for the LA Galaxy
The LA Galaxy is setting the pace at the top of the Western Conference and Joseph Paintsil has been the driving force behind the Carson team. Signed from Genk in the off-season, the Ghanian winger has given the Galaxy a different dimension. He is the top quality wide player Greg Vanney has needed for years.
Paintsil has registered two goals and two assists in six league appearances. Not only has the 26-year-old given the Galaxy threat in the final third, his addition has helped to bring the best out of Riqui Puig who now has an outlet for his creativity. The LA Galaxy is winning and is also playing entertaining soccer.
FC Dallas’ dreadful start has raised doubts over Nico Estevez’s future
After five matches, FC Dallas finds itself slumped near the foot of the Western Conference. The Texas team is suffering from a number of issues with Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Austin FC thrusting this into focus. Indeed, the situation is bleak and supporters are now questioning head coach Nico Estevez’s future.
FC Dallas looks lacking in attacking ideas. When the Texans have possession, they struggle to turn that into chances. Defensively, there has been a lack of intensity too. On top of this, FC Dallas lack individual difference-makers to mask these issues. If this continues any longer, firing Estevez might turn out to be their only possible course of action.
RBNY has taken a big step forward under new head coach Sandro Schwarz
The capture of Emil Forsberg hinted at renewed ambition within the New York Red Bulls ahead of the 2024 season and this has translated into a positive start. Forsberg has demonstrated his quality in a series of matches, but the arrival of new head coach Sandro Schwarz is proving to be even more consequential.
Historically renowned for playing a high-energy style of soccer, RBNY has shown an ability to be more pragmatic this term. Under Schwarz, they can play with the ball. Against Orlando City on Saturday, they scored early and sat deep to absorb opposition pressure and hit out on the counter. Add in a fit and firing Lewis Morgan and RBNY is in good shape.
Toronto FC’s season hinges on the fitness and form of Lorenzo Insigne
John Herdman has made an instant impact at Toronto FC head coach. The former Canadian national team boss has focused on making the BMO Field outfit more difficult to play against and that has resulted in TFC keeping four clean sheets in the six MLS matches they have played so far this season.
In an attacking sense, though, Toronto FC is reliant on Lorenzo Insigne. The Italian has provided a series of game-changing moments in MLS this season, but missed Saturday’s 3-1 home defeat to Sporting KC – and it showed in the final scoreline. If TFC is to have a successful campaign, they need Insigne fit.
