Top five games to watch in 2024 MLS season

With every new Major League Soccer season comes a select few games that will be must-watch television in the league’s 29th campaign.

The 2024 season marks the final time that MLS will play with 29 teams before San Diego FC joins for their inaugural 2025 season, and the schedule reveal didn’t disappoint with several mouth-watering matchups to look forward to next year.

Messi’s first full season in MLS is on the horizon, while Columbus Crew are hopeful of repeating as champions to earn their fourth star above their crest.

Here are the top five games to watch in MLS in 2024.

Out of all the fixtures on this list, this one may be the best one for all Major League Soccer viewers.

A rematch of 2023 MLS Cup will no doubt grab the attention of soccer fans in North America, as the Crew’s 2-1 victory denied LAFC from going back-to-back as champions. Now, the two teams meet again but instead on the West coast at the Black and Gold’s home.

The last Hell is Real derby was one for the ages, as Columbus Crew negated FC Cincinnati’s 2-0 lead to win 3-2 in extra time to clinch a spot in MLS Cup.

On May 29, the two in-state rivals will renew their rivalry at TQL Stadium for their first meeting of the 2024 season. If the 2023 postseason told us anything, it’s that anything can happen at any point in MLS — especially when these two Ohio-based clubs meet.

In terms of matchups early on in the season, it doesn’t get much better than LAFC playing host to Seattle Sounders on opening day.

The two Western Conference sides last met in 2023 MLS Cup playoffs in the conference semifinals, with Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga sealing the narrow victory at Lumen Field 1-0.

Both teams will be aiming for a top-four finish in the Western Conference to help their cause for adding another MLS Cup to their ranks, and that all starts on February 24 at BMO Stadium.

Inter Miami and the legendary Lionel Messi are all set to jumpstart the 2024 campaign on February 21 against Real Salt Lake at DRV PNK Stadium.

While some may have wanted MLS Cup winners Columbus Crew to have the first game of the season (like most professional sports do in North America), it isn’t too surprising to see the league opt for Messi and Co. instead.

The idea of Messi, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and now Luis Suarez all being on the team sheet for the Herons for the first time since 2020 with Barcelona is enough to make any soccer fan shed a tear.

After El Trafico came to the Rose Bowl on last summer, the two Los Angeles clubs are slated to clash again at the historic venue for a second consecutive season on July 4.

Whenever LAFC and LA Galaxy collide, rarely do they disappoint. Fans of both teams will hope for another entertaining battle out West in front of 80,000 spectators.