MLS Season Grades: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami pass the test, while San Jose Earthquakes, New England Revolution fail the assignment

The 2024 MLS campaign has officially wrapped, with the regular season coming to an end with one of the most dramatic Decision Days ever.

Atlanta United jumpied into the postseason unexpectedly, eliminating Golden Boot winner Christian Benteke and D.C. United from contention, while LAFC stole the regular season Western Conference title out from underneath the LA Galaxy.

Those are just two moments across 39 matchdays, though. For nine months, MLS sides made the push for the ultimate goal of qualifying for the playoffs. Some, such as the Columbus Crew and Inter Miami, were brilliant and played to their standard. Others, such as St. Louis CITY SC, San Jose Earthquakes and the New England Revolution, were unmitigated failures.

From brilliant goals to scoreless draws, from stupendous transfers to woeful campaigns, it was a year to remember – well, for most. GOAL hands out regular season grades for all 29 MLS teams.

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  29San Jose Earthquakes: F

  “Everything is a disaster, frankly. We can’t talk about next year because I don’t know if I’m going to be here next year. I don’t know if some of the guys in the locker room will be here.”

  That was striker Jeremy Ebobisse, who said it best after a Sept. 21 loss to CITY. There’s nothing more to add, really.

  They were the worst team in MLS this season, and frankly, it was not close. They had no head coach, a skeleton of a roster and a squad with little to no confidence in the direction of the club.

  They ended their campaign with just six total wins in 35 matches, claiming the Wooden Spoon, while setting the most undesirable MLS record of having the worst defense in league history, conceding 78-total goals.

  A change of direction is a must.

  • 28New England Revolution: F

    Caleb Porter’s debut season with New England was, frankly, a disaster. The Revolution missed the postseason, finishing 26th in the Supporters’ Shield standings, while tying San Jose for the worst goal-differential in the league at -37.

    The lowest-scoring team in the league with just 37 total goals, the Revs averaged just .91 points-per-game this season.

    Porter was brought in to elevate the team, as he’s a two-time MLS Cup-winning manager. That did not happen. From feuding with a local media member in a press conference to being fined, suspended by MLS in September for comments about referees, to reportedly arguing with his own players in public, nothing went well.

    And this entire roster will likely be re-evaluated, too.

    27Chicago Fire: D-

    Chicago’s 2024 season was full of twists and turns, but ultimately, one to forget. There was progress made though, in terms of establishing a future for 2025.

    Going 7-18-9 (WLD) across the campaign, the Fire finished bottom of the Eastern Conference, and 28th in the league standings. Nothing clicked defensively or offensively, despite bringing in reinforcements before the campaign began.

    The positive spin, though, is they look set to compete next year.

    The departure of Designated Player Xherdan Shaqiri took one of MLS’ most expensive players off their books, while they also brought in a club-record signing in striker Hugo Cuypers. Add in that they’ll be led by ex-USMNT boss Gregg Berhalter in 2025, and there’s some light at the end of the tunnel. However, their 2024 campaign is one to forget.

  • 26Sporting Kansas City: D-

    Sporting had one of worst campaigns in their history in 2024. The lone highlight was their impressive U.S. Open Cup run, where they ended as runners-up in the historic tournament. However, their regular season was, as best, uneventful.

    They finished 27th in the race for the MLS Supporters’ Shield, averaging .91 points-per-game with a record of 8-19-7 (WDL). Conceding 66 goals, they had the league’s third-worst defense, too.

    Peter Vermes, who has been in charge of the club since 2009, is a coach to watch this offseason. He’s long been the heart of Sporting as a soccer team, but change may be needed if they want to revert to their winning ways.

    Their last Cup title came in 2017, and their last MLS Cup was in 2013.
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    25Nashville SC: D

    By all accounts, Nashville were one of MLS’ most disappointing teams in 2024.

    They finished 25th in the league standings, missing out on the postseason, with a record of 9-16-9. Star attacker Hany Mukhtar had his worst MLS campaign to date, too, with just eight goals and 10 assists in 32 appearances. And 2024 was his first full MLS season without reaching double-digit goals.

    Their manager, Gary Smith, was also sacked in the summer and eventually replaced by ex-USMNT assistant BJ Callaghan – which was a great hire – but there were no expectations for him after what he walked into.

    The Coyotes went on a six-game losing streak in June that ultimately put them in a position where the playoffs felt like a longshot, that early in the campaign. The deficit they climbed into under Smith ultimately made 2024 a wash, but allowed Callaghan to lay groundwork for the future.

    Still, though. For a team who had never missed the postseason in their existence, this was a year to close the book on.

  • 24St. Louis CITY SC: D

    You have to hand it to CITY. They made a change the moment they sensed it was needed, firing 2023 MLS Coach of the Year candidate Bradley Carnell on July 1. It was a stunning decision, one that caught the entire league off-guard, really.

    However, after their disastrous start to the season – which included a nine-match winless streak in the buildup to his sacking – it was warranted. What CITY was not prepared for, though, was what would follow: continued mediocrity.

    However, there’s a few positives they can take away.

    The August signing of German midfielder Marcel Hartel was a brilliant one; he’s adapted flawlessly to the league and looks to absolutely be the part. This issue, though, is the pieces around him do not, and that is a major building block to overcome ahead of 2025.

    There is a head coach opening with a few really great players, Hartel included, but there are so many holes at the same time. Can CITY put behind their sophomore slump as an organization and return to MLS’ elite in 2025? It remains to be seen.

    • 23Toronto FC: D+

      Toronto were one of the biggest let-downs of the year. They brought in a big-name hire in John Herdman as their manager, but they fell short in nearly every aspect on the pitch. Superstars Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi both underperformed, while the team itself struggled to find ways to win.

      Going 11-19-4 throughout their campaign, they finished 22nd in the league standings with a -21 goal-differential, missing out on the playoffs.

      Bernardeschi himself said it best after their season ended. It just wasn’t enough: “I was sure we were gonna make it this year, but I was wrong. All the hard work wasn’t enough. I can’t say I’m happy or satisfied. I assure you, from the moment I set foot in this amazing city, which now feels like home, my goal has always been, and always will be, to win.”

      With a mentality like that, though, one would hope they bounce back next year. However, it remains to be seen if Herdman will be the main to lead them. They ended the season with four defeats in five, and a loss in the Canadian Championship to the Whitecaps.

    • 22Austin FC: D+

      Austin’s decision making in 2024 is likely what ultimately doomed them. They fired Josh Wolff late in the season, but his departure was months too late. They finished 18th in the Supporters’ Shield standings, which was likely a kind result for the season they had.

      Their downward spiral began in 2023 when they missed the postseason, but there were signs early this year it wasn’t working.

      In the buildup to the Leagues Cup, they won just two of their 11 matches heading in, putting themselves in a hole in the conference standings. Still, they trusted Wolff, though.

      Now, they’re on to 2025. There is an attractive job opening with the head coach position, and their front office has showed a willingness to spend. The question looms, though: will they get it right, and can you trust their front office to after the mistakes made in 2024?

      21FC Dallas: C-

      FCD had one of the more unexpected campaigns of anybody in MLS this season. They brought in a new forward in Petar Musa, who they spent a club-record fee of $12M on to bolster their attack, thinking it would be enough to get them over the line in the West.

      Rather, while Musa flourished with 16 goals, their midfield and defense let them down.

      Their campaign started awfully, with just one win in their first eight matches, but they slowly found form at the flip of the summer after the firing of manager Nico Estevez. Big wins over MNUFC, the Timbers and the LA Galaxy followed, but poor results against struggling clubs such as SKC and the Revolution came as well.

      Ultimately, their early-season deficit was too large a hole to climb out of, but there’s a skeleton roster for 2025 that looks promising. Add in that Alan Velasco has returned from a 2023 ACL tear to 100 percent health now, and there’s reasons why FCD is an attractive job opening for any manager this offseason.

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      20Philadelphia Union: C

      The Union missed the postseason for the first time since 2017, falling just short on Decision Day. It capped off a disappointing season that saw them underperform across the board.

      They finished 23rd in the league standings, boasting a record of 9-15-10, less than two years after being MLS Cup 2022 participants.

      They’ve always been a club focused on youth development and prioritizing their academy, but their roster wasn’t enough this year. The June transfer of superstar forward Julian Carranza to Feyenoord in the Dutch Eredivisie was a big moment for the club, but they were never the same after.

      Jim Curtin should by no means be on the hot seat heading into 2024, but he should have a hard look at his roster heading into next season.

      After their playoff-clinching failure in their regular season finale, defender Kai Wagner said the mentality of the lockerroom “pisses me off,” when talking about how some of the players didn’t express as much disappointment about not qualifying for the postseason.

      19D.C. United: C

      D.C. should feel lucky that Christian Benteke opted to sign a contract extension earlier this year, because without him, they’re likely near the bottom of the league. They finished the regular season 21st in the league standings, falling short of the postseason on Decision Day after a 3-0 loss to Charlotte FC.

      Benteke, however, was named 2024 MLS Golden Boot winner with 23 goals. The ex-Liverpool and Belgium star was excellent all season, including a pair of hat-tricks.

      However, manager Troy Lesesne should really only be thrilled with his performance, and his alone. The D.C. roster let them down in 2024. Their second-leading goal-scorer had just six strikes, while their third had just three. Without Benteke, they would have scored just 29 goals this year.

      Heading into 2025, there needs to be an evolution within the roster, whether that means breaking out the checkbook for a big-name player or smartly spending to establish a core around him. There needs to be growth, though, and ideally, it needs to be visible for all parties involved.

      It’s now five-straight years without a playoff appearance.

      18CF Montreal: C+

      CF Montreal is a tough team to evaluate in 2024. They’ve had so much shakeup in their front office, that stability on the pitch was always going to be questioned. Factor in that they have a first-year head coach at the MLS level in Laurent Courtois, and judgement was likely going to be served too harshly no matter what.

      The first half of their season will ultimately be looked at as a wash, but as Courtois grew into the club and implemented his footprint, you could start to see the tactics and player personnel concepts.

      In addition, Josef Martinez is starting to look like the excellent clinical striker we all know. After a brutal ACL tear in 2020, and another knee injury in 2022, he’s emerged this year for CF Montreal as a reliable goal-scoring outlet. Factor in their midsummer acquisition of Caden Clark, who has four goals and four assists in nine matches since joining, and they were really smart with how they played the latter half of the campaign.

      Qualifying for the Wildcard Eastern Conference play-in game should be viewed as a win for the Canadian side. The question, now, though, is how they grow and what they can do to bolster their squad heading into 2025.

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      17Atlanta United: C+

      Their brilliant transfer business, where they brought in $50M+ through the acquistions of Thiago Almada, Caleb Wiley and Giorgis Giakoumakis, should be looked at by every GM in the league. Just outstanding front office work.

      If only they replicated that sort of work on the pitch – and on the touchline.

      Atlanta finished their regular season by clinching a spot in the Eastern Conference Wildcard match on Decision Day, while ending the campaign 20th in the league standings. After a poor start to the season, they sacked Gonzalo Pineda in early June, but never found a full-time replacement, instead allowing interim manager Rob Valentino to ride out 2024.

      They brought in a high-profile midfielder in Alexey Miranchuk to replace Almada, but the Russia international has not adapted to life in MLS, while no direct replacement for Giakoumakis or Wiley came in. As a result, they made do with what they had, but they were not excellent by any means.

      The Five Stripes have one of the most attractive job openings this offseason, but managers know that if they are selected, the leash is short and the expectations are high.

    • 16Vancouver Whitecaps: B-

      The Whitecaps had an up-and-down season: at one point Vanni Sartini was being considered a MLS Coach of the Year candidate, then later found himself on the hot seat.

      Their slump has been woeful to watch. They ended the regular season with one win in their final nine matches, and four-straight losses. They finished 14th in the league standings with a record of 13-13-8, with a goal-differential of +3.

      They made the Western Conference Wildcard play-in game, but their campaign has been one full of “what ifs” and “could have beens.”

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      15Portland Timbers: B-

      Phil Neville’s turnaround from the start of the season is something to marvel at. From March into May, the Timbers went on a nine-match skid without a victory, prompting many to put the Englishman on the hot seat early. However, with a bit of faith – and magic from Evander – they climbed their way back into the MLS playoff picture throughout the season to clinch a Wildcard berth on Decision Day.

      The Brazilian midfielder, who is up for MVP candidacy, had a campaign to remember with 15 goals and 19 assists, while spring signing Jonathan Rodriguez grew into his shoes throughout the campaign as well, with 16 goals and seven assists himself after joining from Liga MX side Club America.

      It was a sloppy start, but their turnaround was something to watch. Their defense leaks goals like a damaged roof in a tsunami, but they can turnaround and score them just as quick. If Neville can shore up his backline, they’ll be formidable in 2025.

      14New York Red Bulls: B-

      The 2024 Red Bulls should be a case study for future teams, managers and front office members. From being Supporters’ Shield contenders throughout the spring, to earning just two wins in your final 14 regular season matches, their campaign was beyond baffling.

      The signing of Sweden international Emil Forsberg was a game-changer for them to begin the campaign, but after he missed three months of action, they fell apart.

      They recorded just three losses in their first 16 matches, handing themselves an incredible advantage for the rest of the season, but they failed to use it. Going 11-9-14, they drew more matches than any other team in MLS, failing to capitalize on momentum throughout the campaign – time and time again.

      Despite that, they were one of the first teams to clinch a postseason berth due to their early form, and the struggles of those around them in the table. Still, though, nothing really made sense for them in 2024.

      Manager Sandro Schwarz should be scrutinized this offseason, and could be on the hottest seat if RBNY do not perform in the postseason.

      13New York City FC: B-

      The Pigeons have the youngest roster in MLS, and it reflected as so in 2024. At times, they had very mature performances that stunned viewers and their opposition alike, such as their brilliant home performance against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami. But then there were childish moments where it was noticeable how they lacked experience and leadership, with a primary example being a 5-1 home loss to the Union in September.

      Nonetheless, Nick Cushing held his team together and now they’re in the postseason as the No. 6 seed. They finished 13th in the regular season standings, averaging 1.47 points-per-game with a record of 14-12-8

      The emergence of forward Alonso Martinez has been a blessing for Cushing, who needed a forward to step up if they were to compete with some of their Eastern Conference foes. The 26-year-old, in his first full-year with the club, scored 16 goals and recorded three assists, leading the team in scoring.

      Overall, it was a positive campaign for NYCFC, but heading into 2025, their attack – particularly in the wide roles – needs to be re-evaluated.

      12Charlotte FC: B

      What Dean Smith has done with Charlotte is really impressive. From one of MLS’ most shaky and inconsistent teams in 2023 to one of the brightest emerging rosters in the league in 2024, the ex-Aston Villa manager’s footprint on this roster has been brilliant.

      They finished 11th in the league with 51 points and a record of 14-11-9, conceding just 37-total goals this campaign. That’s the second-least of any team in the league, and 12 less than regular season champions Inter Miami.

      The summer signing of U.S. men’s national team defender Tim Ream, along with the performances of goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina and defenders Adilson Malanda and Andy Privett has been nothing short of a spectacle. Factor in the additions of Pep Biel and Liel Abada to their attack, and Smith is building one of MLS’ most exciting rosters.

      11Colorado Rapids: B

      Overall, Chris Armas should be proud of the 2024 season performance. At one point, Colorado were competing for the Western Conference title, but after a rough end to the season, they sat seventh in the conference standings.

      Still, the positives outweigh the negatives for the Rapids, who finished 12th overall with a record of 15-14-5.

      Forward Rafael Navarro finally found his shooting boots, bagging 15 goals and recording five assists in 34 appearances this season. USMNT midfielder Djordje Mihailovic had an outstanding campaign as well, with 11 goals and 14 assists in 29 matches. Elsewhere, they found success with centerback Moise Bombito, who represented Canada at Copa America 2024 and impressed so much he earned a move abroad to France with OGC Nice during the summer transfer window.

      Overall, Armas should be thrilled with the shell he has to work with heading into 2025, as they surpassed expectations this season. If he can shore up his defense, the league should be on look out.

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      10Minnesota United: B

      After the disaster that was 2023 for Minnesota, they rebounded phenomenally in 2024. The hiring of ex-Manchester United assistant Eric Ramsay to replace Adrian Heath proved to be a brilliant move, while key additions to their roster allowed them to flourish.

      The return of Finnish international Robin Lod has helped, with the midfielder up for MLS Comeback Player of the Year after tearing his meniscus in 2023.

      The Loons finished 10th in the league standings at 15-12-7, including an end to their campaign that saw them go unbeaten in their final five matches of the season – with four clean sheets.

      New Designated Player Kelvin Yeboah has been sensational in the final-third, while wingers Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Sang Bin Jeong have been excellent, as well. The emergence of Canada international Tani Oluwaseyi has been the key to their success, with the 2022 MLS Superdraft pick leading them in scoring with 12 goals.

      Earning the No. 6 seed in the playoffs, they’ll be a formidable foe.

      • 9Houston Dynamo: B

        The Dynamo have been sneaky good in 2024, and it feels as if MLS has not noticed. They finished eighth in the regular season standings with a record of 15-9-10. Averaging 1.59 points-per-game, Houston also boasted one of the league’s best defenses in 2024, conceding just 39 goals across the season.

        Ben Olsen turned the Dynamo into legit playoff and conference title contenders, and he did it with very little, too. Led by league veterans Hector Herrera, Daniel Steres and 38-year-old goalkeeper Steve Clark, Houston has been a unit to deal with in 2024.

        Savvy transfer business has helped, too, with the addition of Argentine forward Ezequiel Ponce, who has five goals in 10 appearances, and U22 initiative attacker Ibrahim Aliyu, who they signed on a full transfer from NK Lokomotiva Zagreb in Croatia.

        Overall, 2024 is an absolute win for the Dynamo organization. However, with an aging back line, that might be an area they’ll need to bolster in 2025.

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        8Orlando City: B

        Orlando, who many predicted to be Supporters’ Shield contenders before the season began, overcame their rough start to be one of MLS’ finest clubs to end the campaign.

        Winless in their first three matches to start the season, many doubted Orlando’s ability. They rebounded strongly throughout the season to end ninth in the league standings, earning the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

        Going 15-12-7 across the season, they ended up earning more away wins than home wins, too.

        U.S. international Duncan McGuire and Uruguayan winger Facundo torres led the attack, with the duo combining for 33 goal-contributions. Manager Oscar Pareja got more out of his roster than expected, and as a result, they are dark-horse contenders for the postseason.

      • 7Real Salt Lake: B+

        At one point during the season, RSL were neck-and-neck with Miami and the Crew in the race for the top spot in the Eastern Conference, and Chicho Arango was the frontrunner for MLS Golden Boot. However, something in the summer messed up their groove, and they slipped.

        Perhaps it was the transfer of star winger Andres Gomez to France, and the fact replacement Dominik Marczuk struggled to acclimate to the league. Or, perhaps, the pressure became too much for what is a rather youthful side.

        Whatever, there’s really no negatives to takeaway for RSL in 2024. They were strong across the board.

        They finished sixth in the league standings with a record of 16-7-11, recording the third-least amount of losses of any team in the league. Conceding just 48 goals, they boasted the fifth-best defense in the league, while their attack was blistering at times, too.

        Arango ended with 17 goals, while U.S. youth international Diego Luna ended with eight goals and 12 assists himself.

        All around, 2024 was progress for RSL. All they lacked was season-long consistency.

      • 6Seattle Sounders: B+

        Seattle lit up the Western Conference over the second half of the season. They ended their campaign going seven-straight matches unbeaten, with just four losses after April 30.

        Genuinely, they were terrific.

        USMNT forward Jordan Morris ended the regular season with 18 goal-contributions, tying his career best from 2020. Meanwhile, midfielder Albert Rusnak had a career year with 10 goals and 16 assists. The duo excelled in every aspect, carrying their attack.

        Their defense, meanwhile, was MLS’ best in 2024, conceding just 35 goals in 34 matches.

        Brian Schmetzer crafted each week to near perfection over the final half of the campaign, and it’s a reminder of how truly special of a manager he is. The No. 4 seed in the Western Conference playoffs now, Seattle is one of the few times no side wants to play in the postseason.

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        5FC Cincinnati: A-

        Pat Noonan overcame injury hell in 2024 with his squad, managing to come out on top despite limitations. Despite losing two starting central defenders in Matt Miazga and Nick Hagglund for the campaign to different lower-body injuries, they still managed to remain one of MLS’ elite teams.

        Finishing fifth in the league standings averaging 1.74 points-per-game, FCC were 18-11-5 during the regular season, with the first half of their campaign in particularly strong. They didn’t quite replicate their 2023 form that won them last season’s Supporters’ Shield, but they still performed at an incredibly high level.

        Reigning league MVP Lucho Acosta was brilliant, with the Argentine scoring 14 goals and recording 19 assists in 32 appearances. He’s a contender for the award again in 2024. Elsewhere, wingback Luca Orellano emerged as one of the brightest 2024 debutants in the league, with 10 goals and seven assists in his first MLS season.

        Overall, FCC should be thrilled with how 2024 has gone. They lost Brandon Vazquez to a Liga MX transfer before the campaign started, lost two starting defenders, and are still competing with the best.

      • 4LAFC: A

        Steve Cherundolo and LAFC should be absolutely thrilled with hoe the campaign ended. They stole the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference right out from underneath the Galaxy’s nose on Decision Day.

        There were ups and downs – particularly a brief slump following the Leagues Cup – but 2024 was a brilliant display of fighting for the badge week-in and week-out by their roster. In particular, Denis Bouanga was excellent, with 20 goals and 11 assists for the Black and Gold.

        Striker Mateusz Bogusz came into his own in 2024 with a career-high 15 goals and seven assists. Role players such as Timothy Tillman and Ilie Sanchez proved their worth as well, while 40-year-old league journeyman Kei Kamara brought nine goal-contributions out of the pocket, too.

        During the summer, Cherundolo was linked heavily with the then-vacant USMNT job, but he brushed away the noise, helping LAFC to a berth in the Leagues Cup final, and then the 2024 Open Cup title.

        Beyond impressive.

      • 3Los Angeles Galaxy: A

        Brushing aside Decision Day, where they lost the regular season Western Conference title to LAFC, the Galaxy were the most surprising – and welcomed – development of 2024.

        After missing out on the playoffs in 2023, with the club nearing rock-bottom, they rebounded in 2024 to become one of the most feared teams in MLS. The marquee additions of winger Joseph Paintsil and attacker Gabriel Pec, to pair with MVP candidate Riqui Puig and striker Dejan Jovelic, created a front-four unlike any other Western Conference team.

        The third-highest scoring team in the league, they managed 69 goals on the season, with Pec in particular emerging as a key component for their success. The Brazilian bagged 16 goals and recorded 14 assists, and as a result, is the frontrunner for Newcomer of the Year. Puig, meanwhile, led MLS in both total-touches and passes by a wide margin, while recording 28 goal-contributions.

        Greg Vanney and the Galaxy front office put work into the roster, rebuilding their backline and spending on their attack, and it paid off.

      • 2Columbus Crew: A+

        What a campaign from the Crew. From their historic CONCACAF Champions Cup run to their Leagues Cup triumph, it was a year to remember for Wilfried Nancy’s side. Cucho Hernandez ended his season with 19 goals and 14 assists, and is rightfully an MVP frontrunner. Nancy, meanwhile, is up for candidacy himself as MLS Coach of the year.

        They finished second in the Eastern Conference, and second in the race for the Supporters’ Shield as MLS’ second-best team. They took Miami to the wire in the race for the regular season title, while playing some of the best soccer in the league.

        Nancy will be one to watch in the offseason, though. By far the most talented up-and-coming coach in MLS, can the Crew hold onto him? Or will Europe come calling?

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        1Inter Miami: A+

        The Herons are 2024 MLS Supporters’ Shield winners and the new record-holders for the most points in one regular season campaign with 74. They failed in all three respective cup competitions this season, but their regular season campaign was nothing short of brilliant, and that’s what mattered to them.

        Tata Martino got the most out of the squad he had available, and is deservedly up for MLS Coach of the Year. Meanwhile, both Lionel Messi – who was brilliant despite missing a large portion of the season after injuring an ankle in the Copa America final – and Luis Suarez are up for MLS MVP, while defender Ian Fray is a frontrunner for Comeback Player of the Year.

        Factor in the smart decision-making of bringing in role players Hector Martinez, Marcelo Weigandt and Matias Rojas, and it was an impressive season.

        With their recent selection to be participants in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup as well, you can expect this roster to evolve even more come the offseason.