2024 MLS preview: Four dark horses for the MLS Cup
After a two-month hiatus, Major League Soccer returns next week with competition that's never been more fierce. Twenty-nine teams will compete for the 2024 MLS Cup, but what team will win it all?
We've covered the league's top title contenders, but there are other strong squads ready to give them a run for their money. Here are the dark horses for the MLS Cup:
New England Revolution
Last season: Fifth in Eastern Conference
Poor New England has long been the bridesmaid in the league, making five MLS Cup Finals but losing each. The team is well-structured, but it has lacked the breakthrough oomph to deliver the big prize.
That may change in 2024. The Revs, after parting ways with Bruce Arena, brought in Caleb Porter as head coach. Longtime fans will remember his two MLS Cup victories with the Portland Timbers and the Columbus Crew.
Porter bolstered the attacking lineup with Argentine Tomás Chancalay, who should pair nicely with former league MVP Carles Gil on the front line.
New England needs Chancalay and Gil to be in fine form this season because its defense looked spotty in preseason, allowing five goals against FC Cincinnati and three against the New York Red Bulls. With a defense that leaky, New England's title chances will hinge on how it performs in front of the opposition goal.
Orlando City
Last season: Second in Eastern Conference
Orlando has been eclipsed by its glitzy Florida neighbors, Inter Miami, and that's a shame. Forget Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez on Inter Miami — Orlando's front-line pairing of Facundo Torres and Duncan McGuire should earn headlines, too. The pair knocked in 27 goals between them last season.
The key for Orlando is Colombian coach Oscar Pareja, affectionately known as "Papi." He re-signed with Orlando this winter and looks set to lead the team for years to come. His skill extends beyond game management. Pareja is also known for his heavy involvement in building youth academies — he was responsible for getting FC Dallas' up to snuff.
Pareja also brought in MLS legend Nico Lodeiro from Seattle to add experience to the Orlando midfield.
In the preseason, Orlando won three of four matches, scoring eight goals combined. Miami, who?
Seattle Sounders
Last season: Second in Western Conference
Seattle's winning pedigree and strong fan support means it's always in the MLS Cup conversation, but the Sounders haven't made a final since their epic run making four of five from 2016 and 2020.
Coach Brian Schmetzer, the architect of that 2016 run, finally ripped off the Band-Aid this winter. He cut many of his veteran stars loose and brought in two fascinating attackers — American Danny Musovski and Argentine Pedro de la Vega — to replace them.
Musovski is a big, positional striker while de la Vega is a good winger. They'll bring real bite and power to Seattle's previously weak offense.
FC Dallas
Last season: Seventh in Western Conference
Most conversations about FC Dallas center on U. S. Men's National Team striker Jesus Ferreira, the big name on a team filled with academy prospects and little-known imports. That's all about to change.
Dallas finally has a true partner for Ferreira in hyped Croatian striker Petar Musa, a big statement signing and a player who could pay dividends in 2024.
But Dallas didn't just sign Musa. It also entered into a long-term youth talent partnership with his former club, SL Benfica. Benfica is known for its incredible talent pipeline — just look at Chelsea's $100+ million signing Enzo Fernandez for context — and it's great to see it taking a team like Dallas seriously.
In a league where too much focus is placed on superstars, Dallas' long-term investment in local talent is welcome and necessary. Musa and Ferreira may be Dallas' big names, but there's so much more to come from this young squad.
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