The Rondo, MLS edition: Must-watch playoff matchups, MVP picks and the thrill show that was 2024 Decision Day

Decision Day has been a boost for MLS since its inception nearly nine years ago, but it might have reached its peak this year. The league has its stars and Apple TV to thank for that.

Consider all that was in play on Saturday. Lionel Messi and Inter Miami provided highlight reel moments to secure MLS’s all-time regular season points record. Christian Benteke and D.C. United crashed out of the playoff picture in dramatic fashion. And LAFC and LA Galaxy fought for the No. 1 seed in the West until the dying seconds of the regular season.

All of these dramatic moments were expertly highlighted by Apple TV’s 360 show, which kept the tension on full display at breakneck speed. All of the Decision Day chaos was perfectly captured.

With the MLS regular season over and the playoffs kicking off Tuesday, GOAL US writers take a look back at Decision Day, hand out regular season awards and debate the best opening-round playoff matches in this special MLS edition of … The Rondo.

• • Imagn

    Was this the best Decision Day ever?

    Alex Labidou: A resounding YES. There are certainly some deadline days that come close, but experiencing it on TV in one place as all the action unfolded was incredible.

    Just when it appeared as if the Eastern Conference was going to be the highlight of Saturday, the West decided to take it one step further – bringing the season to a dramatic end in its final seconds. From Messi’s elation to the devasting blow to Benteke after an MVP-caliber season, this wasn’t just MLS’s best Decision Day, it might have an argument for the best regular season day period. It was that good.

    Tom Hindle: If it’s not, then it’s certainly close. It seemed as this season was winding down relatively quietly, but there was certainly drama to be found. Shouts, in particular, for the back-and-forth with the two Los Angeles teams. Love me some late footballing heartbreak – especially when I am a neutral in the situation.

    Jacob Schneider: Cannot recall a recent Decision Day in which a regular season conference title teetered back-and-forth in stoppage-time like Saturday. Apple TV showing LAFC fans sad after the Galaxy penalty to suddenly rejoicing, tossing their beers in the air and celebrating after Houston’s late go-ahead strike was brilliant.

    In terms of it being the best, though, not so sure. There was not a lot on the line in terms of qualification for the playoffs beyond the wildcard game in the East, so it brings us full circle to the looming question: How does MLS make the regular season more worth it, and exciting?

• USA Today Images

  Who is the MLS MVP?

  Labidou: This was a tough one, but Messi should win it. Yes, he played just 56 percent of available MLS matches, but he was arguably the greatest player the league has ever seen during that span with 20 goals and 16 assists. And his absence was caused by injury, which can’t really be held against him. This wasn’t David Beckham or Thierry Henry deciding to miss MLS matches to “better test” themselves in other leagues, Messi was forced out or would have likely played otherwise.

  Cucho Hernandez is a valid second, and a case could have been made for Benteke had D.C. made it. But neither has the case that Messi does.

  Hindle: Well, there are a bunch of options. Cucho seems a pretty logical shout, while it’s hard to ignore the Argentine in South Florida. But for the streets – those who really know ball – let’s go with Evander. Not only is the Brazilian smashing records, he’s making it look very cool. He will undoubtedly be held back by the fact that the Timbers aren’t great, but it’d be nice to see the guy win. So why not?

  Schneider: People are voting for Messi, which s understandable. His numbers are bafflingly outrageous to the point of it being silly. However, there’s some criteria, and three points need to be made in favor of others.

  One, Messi only played in 19 games, and accumulated just 1,485 minutes. The other candidates all have at least 2,000 minutes in the MLS this season. And during Messi’s three-month midsummer absence, Inter Miami played nine games without him, going 8-1-0. For the latter reason alone, the vote goes to Hernandez of the Columbus Crew.

• USA Today Images

  Who was the MLS Coach of the Year?

  Labidou: If this question had been asked in August, the choice would have been clear: Colorado Rapids’ Chris Armas deserved the award at that stage of the season.

  Unfortunately, the Rapids tailspin in September and October means that Inter Miami’s Tata Martino should be Coach of the Year. Miami set the points record despite Messi missing 15 matches (and Luis Suarez was also absent for seven matches). Martino consistently plugged and played as needed, elevating young players such as Yannick Bright into bigger roles and getting the best out of Diego Gomez.

  Hindle: Wilfried Nancy, Columbus. Next question.

  Schneider: It’s Martino, if we’re strictly looking at the context of just the MLS regular season. Suarez looked asf if he could not run during preseason. He ended the season as an MVP and Golden Boot candidate. He’s also turned an MLS Superdraft pick like Bright into a really important part of their midfield. Not to mention, getting the most out of youngsters David Ruiz, Benja Cremaschi, Ian Fray and Gomez. Nancy is centimeters behind him, but securing the Supporters’ Shield and besting the Crew on the road in October is why Tata gets it.

• IMGAN

  Who was the MLS Newcomer of the Year?

  Labidou: How long can MLS fans reasonably expect Gabriel Pec to stay in North America’s top flight? This is probably a hot take, but on a team with Riqui Puig, Marco Reus, and Joseph Paintsil, Pec might have been the Galaxy’s best player this season, with 16 goals and 14 assists. Pec’s stay in MLS may be just one season, and in that one season he is clearly the Newcomer of the Year.

  Hindle: It’s always a tricky award to figure out, because how do you really measure the impact of rookie? Is it someone who over-performs, and plays a big role on a bad team? Or is it a transformative arrival, taking a good team to great? In this case, let’s go with the latter.

  This year, there’s no better case than for Pec. The former Vasco de Gamma man made a mockery of the Western Conference this year. In this league you simply have to get DP signings right. The Galaxy nailed it with Pec.

  Schneider: Hands down, Pec. What a sensational footballer the Galaxy picked up from Vasco Da Gama. He’s someone that may not even make it to the 2025 campaign due to European teams calling. He’s far-ahead Newcomer of the Year. Sorry, Suarez.

• USA Today Images

  Which first-round matchup are you most excited about?

  Labidou: How about NYCFC vs. FC Cincinnati? The most exciting thing about first-round matchups in any playoffs is the possibility of upsets. This tie seems to have the best chance of that happening. Despite having a homefield advantage, FCC haven’t been playing well for months now. Some of it could be the failed acquisition of a game-changing DP, which was rumored to happen this summer, but this is a team that isn’t living up to the its strong start – it had been neck and neck with Miami – or its ambitions.

  NYCFC have been painfully inconsistent all year, but they might be more equipped for a playoff run than Cincinnati. Alonso Martínez might be the most underrated star in MLS right now and it’s tough to bet against him making the most of his chances against a sometimes suspect Cincy defense.

  Hindle: Much depends on wildcard results, obviously. Inter Miami vs. Atlanta United, for example, could be quietly interesting if Atlanta are able to pip Montreal – especially given the chaotic contest those two teams played out a month ago. But let’s be realistic: Miami will probably win that one if Messi decides to show up.

  Minnesota vs. Real Salt Lake could be a real laugh, though. The Allianz is always a good place for footy, and the Loons have enjoyed a fine last month of the season. No. 3 vs. No. 6 is always a weird best of three matchup – not quite sure this would be an “upset.” But it does have drama written all over it.

  Schneider: RSL vs. MNUFC presents the most “there will be goals” matchup, especially with the Loons‘ form of late. That, and we all know that Chicho Arango can bang them in when he feels like it. The LA Galaxy will cruise past the Rapids, same with Orlando against Charlotte and Columbus over the Red Bulls. NYCFC may present an out-of-form FC Cincy side trouble, and both No. 1 seeds in Miami, LAFC, should advance, too.

  That leaves Houston vs Seattle, which will likely be the gritty, tactical battle that goes to three games. It likely won’t be high-scoring but for the true MLS diehards, it’s the one to watch.