The MLS is having another fine season in 2024 and showing why it has become one of the top soccer leagues in recent times. With hotly contested games across both conferences to enjoy, and big names in world soccer to see, supporters of teams in this league are well catered for.
Although it might seem hard to believe, we’re already at the halfway point in the MLS season. This makes now a great time to not only take stock of happenings to date but also what might be worth looking ahead to in the second half of the campaign.
But what should MLS fans be keeping an eye out for?
Betting on MLS games
Sports betting has taken off around the USA as more states begin to make it legal. As a result, betting on MLS games is popular in 2024 and we should see this trend continue during the second half of the campaign. Whether it’s wagers on who will win the MLS Cup or betting on more niche markets, the remainder of 2024 should see plenty of bets placed by keen MLS fans.
One thing to bear in mind if you plan to do this is how crucial it is where you place wagers – you don’t want to get conned by a scam betting site or register with a platform that offers a terrible user experience! If you need a hand with this, AskGamblers sports betting site reviews are a great way to find top sportsbooks in the second half of the 2024 MLS season.
Who will win the MLS Cup 2024?
It goes without saying that the battle to win the MLS Cup in 2024 is something to look out for as the season unfolds. This is the main prize all teams want to bring home, after all, and it’s the trophy their fans want to see.
This should mean the race for playoff spots intensifies and brings some dramatic games and moments as the season reaches its climax. Of course, this will spell joy for some fans and despair for others – but that’s top-level sports for you.
As things stand right now, you would expect Inter Miami to be with a real chance of winning the MLS Cup in 2024, and LAFC also having a real shot at it. There is a bunch of other sides in each conference that could take the trophy home, though, with reigning champions Columbus Crew very much in it.
MLS All-Star game
Who doesn’t love the MLS All-Star game every season?! This match brings together top talent in the league to battle it out against a La Liga MX All-Stars XI. 2024’s edition takes place at the end of July and is already something fans are getting revved up about.
As with the NBA’s All-Star game, it usually makes for a great spectacle and gives fans the chance to see the best MLS players in action.
Race for the Golden Boot to hot up
The Golden Boot is given to the player who has scored the most goals in the MLS come season end. The race for this award should really hot up now we are in the second half of the season, and it’s worth keeping an eye on.
The neat thing about the battle for the Golden Boot is that we should see more goals in MLS games, as players with a shout of winning it try extra hard to find the net.
Cristian Arango has been smashing it for Real Salt Lake so far and is the man to beat for now. Denis Bouanga at LAFC and Christian Benteke at D.C. United are chasing hard to catch him. Suárez and Messi at Inter Miami are not out of the Golden Boot race yet, either.
Race to win the Supporters’ Shield
Fans would also be well advised to keep an eye on the Supporters’ Shield race in the second half of the 2024 MLS season. This is awarded to the team with the best regular season record overall and can involve teams from both conferences. The side that wins it not only gets the glory of taking home the trophy but also a coveted place in the CONCACAF Champions League.
Supporters of sides like San Jose and Philadelphia can probably forget about this award this season, but other teams stand a real chance of winning it. This most obviously applies to sides that have been on fire in 2024 so far, such as Inter Miami, Cincinnati, LAFC and Real Salt Lake
MLS MVP 2024
MVP awards are something most sports give out to the best player overall at the end of each season. Or if you’re the NFL, you just give it to Patrick Mahomes at the start of every year to save time…
The MLS hands out its own MVP award and the battle for it is something to keep tabs on as the 2024 campaign progresses. Lionel Messi looks to be a strong pick and has been on fire since joining the MLS recently. Cristian Arango’s scoring exploits should also see him as a serious contender, while Luciano Acosta’s 2023 MVP win could be repeated.
Impact of signings in July transfer window
As is the case with some other major soccer leagues globally, the MLS has two transfer windows each year. The Primary Transfer Window might be firmly shut now but the Secondary one will soon open in mid-July 2024.
This should see a flurry of player signings by sides needing an extra spark to chase playoff spots or simply transform a failing season. It will be interesting to keep an eye on which sides sign which players in this window – and the impact these signings have not just on their own club but also the general MLS standings.
MLS 2024: second half of season to be awesome
It’s strange to think that we are already halfway through the 2024 MLS season. Time flies when you’re having fun, though, and the first bunch of games have delivered some fantastic action. The second half of the campaign looks likely to do the same and keep fans well entertained