In the run up to what could be a season to remember for Major League Soccer, one of the worst teams in the league from 2023 is the favorite to win the title in 2024.
Lionel Messi and his Inter Miami squad are currently the favorites to win the title, according to bookmakers.
Over the winter break, Miami added the likes of Luis Suarez to their offense – but also lost one of their best defenders in Kamal Miller via a trade with the Portland Timbers.
Behind Inter Miami is Los Angeles FC, the 2022 MLS Cup winners and the champions of the Western Conference in the season prior.
Tied for third is the recent MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew and their cross-state rivals FC Cincinnati at +1200 odds.
Lionel Messi and Inter Miami are oddsmakers favorites to win MLS Cup in 2024
Inter Miami’s acquisition of Luis Suarez from a Brazilian club will likely improve their offense
Behind Miami are the teams who met in MLS Cup final: Los Angeles FC and Columbus Crew
Rounding out the top five are the Philadelphia Union at +1400 odds.
Further down the list includes the Seattle Sounders at +1600 odds and then Atlanta United at +2000.
Finalizing the top ten are a trio of teams tied at +2500 odds: US Open Cup winners the Houston Dynamo, the LA Galaxy, and the New York Red Bulls.
Of the teams in the top ten, only Inter Miami and the LA Galaxy hadn’t made last season’s MLS Cup playoffs.
Miami, of course, have been in something of a transition ever since the middle of last season.
After falling to the bottom of the league under Phil Neville, the team rebounded with manager Tata Martino and then even further with Lionel Messi.
Miami won the first ever edition of the Leagues Cup but was not able to clinch any other silverware.
Inter Miami lost to Houston in the US Open Cup final and was unable to climb back up to a spot in MLS Cup Playoffs.
A similar situation befell the LA Galaxy, but hopes have been renewed ever since the departure of former team president Chris Klein – who oversaw one of the worst periods of form in the club’s history.