2024 MLS Cup: Everything You Need to Know
It’s a competition that is a little different from the norm that is experienced in most corners of the world, but then again, the US often makes its sports follow a different format to the rest.
The 2024 MLS Cup game isn’t scheduled to take place until an early date in December, with it pencilled in for the seventh. Of course, before we get there, the league will have to complete a regular-season phase, as well as a post-season phase.
The Regular Season Stage
As most football leagues around the world would usually follow, teams will be required to play each other and accumulate points to get as high up the table as they can. While the team that finishes top can claim to be either the Eastern or Western Conference Champions, they won’t be declared the overall winners of the MLS.
The top nine from each Conference (based on points) will then advance to the next stage. This will be determined once each team has played a total of 34 matches. Again, this is different to other football leagues worldwide, as that number doesn’t match the number of teams in the division. There are 29 franchises in the MLS, with 15 in the East and 14 in the West.
As a result, teams will face everyone in their division twice and then play a handful of games against clubs in the other conference until 34 have been played. Once that has been completed, the best nine in each division will progress. If you’re a bettor and like the way that the MLS operates, you can already bet on who you think can go all the way as the Unibet Sportsbook & Casino has odds available to consider.
Currently, Inter Miami are the big favorite at +185, but with players like Leo Messi, Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets all in the squad, it’s unsurprising they are. And, perhaps the fact that they are leading the East after the first 16 games.
The Postseason Stage
Before reaching the 2024 MLS Cup, the postseason (playoffs) will need to be completed. This will be played across a bracket format, where winning teams will advance and the losers will be eliminated.
Teams that finish in the first seven positions will qualify for the First Round automatically, whereas the teams that finish 8th and 9th will compete in a Wild Card Round first. Once this has been completed, the remaining eight teams (16 in total) on each side of the bracket will compete with the final two competing for the 2024 MLS Cup, with the First Round following the format that was introduced in 2023 for the first time, where a best-of-three series will take place, with the team winning two matches going through. Games after the First Round will be played as a traditional knockout-style match.
What happened in the 2023 MLS Cup Final?
The 2023 MLS Cup Final was won by the Columbus Crew, when they defeated Los Angeles FC 2-1. It was the third time the Black & Gold won the title, having finished third in the regular season (as did their final opponents).
They accumulated a total of 57 points and defeated Atlanta United in Round One, before getting past Orlando City after extra-time and requiring additional time to defeat FC Cincinnati.
This season, the Crew will be hoping that they can go the distance once again, and despite still being very early in the 2024 MLS season, they look good to return to the postseason at the very least.
Wilfried Nancy has his team sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference after 14 games thus far, with a potent attack and tight defense. They have scored 21 times and have conceded just 13. In the 14 games played, they have lost just twice, but they have six wins and six draws apiece.
Then again, with it being required to finish inside the top nine of the Conference to obtain a place in the postseason, as long as they do the bare minimum, they remain within a chance of keeping their title as anything can happen in the playoffs.