2024 MLS Eastern Conference predictions

The 2024 MLS season contains an Eastern Conference that's stacked to the brim with plenty of teams eager to make some noise in the postseason.

Several Eastern Conference clubs are embarking on a new season with new coaches as well as high-profile signings, while other sides have done little in the offseason to move the needle.

With most teams' transfer business done and dusted, it's time to predict where they'll finish in the Eastern Conference in the upcoming season.

1. Columbus Crew

The reigning MLS Cup champions have had a quiet but overall successful offseason for two main reasons: They haven't lost any key players from the previous season and kept hold of head coach Wilfried Nancy for a second season at the helm.

Now, it's not like Nancy was predicted to leave Columbus in the winter, but how he guided them to glory in his first season no doubt caught attention from European sides and possibly even national teams. But Nancy is set to lead the Crew to more success this season along with the main group of players that played their part, too.

2. Orlando City

Like Columbus, Orlando City enjoyed much success, better yet record-breaking success, with their head coach Oscar Pareja in charge. He followed up a 2022 US Open Cup win with the Lions by guiding them to second place in the East, their highest-ever finish since joining as an expansion side in 2015.

Pareja was out of contract following Orlando's exit to the Crew, but the Lions' front office managed to sign the Colombia native to a new deal through 2025. Pareja, along with Facundo Torres, his veteran defense, the 'return' of Duncan McGuire and the arrival of Luis Muriel are set to break more club records in 2024.

3. Philadelphia Union

Philadelphia Union are all but certain to finish inside the top four of the conference after their quiet but effective offseason that saw them bring back club legend Alejandro Bedoya and full-back Kai Wagner.

Under Curtin, the Union have been one of the most, if not the most, consistent teams in the league in terms of qualifying for the playoffs and getting positive results. But will it finally lead to silverware in 2024?

4. Atlanta United

You might be thinking: Atlanta United in fourth place, what?

This is the most complete Atlanta side since their 2018 team that won MLS Cup, as they didn't go out and splash the big bucks like we're used to seeing but instead focused on weaker areas in the squad like center-back, goalkeeper and the defensive midfield.

Oh, and Thiago Almada still hasn't left for Europe. So that will only bode well for their chances in the first half of the season with the likes of Giorgos Giakoumakis and Xande Silva in attack.

5. FC Cincinnati

FC Cincinnati are still a strong side that will compete in 2024, but their squad won't be as sharp after the departures of Brandon Vazquez to Monterrey and Yerson Mosquera back to his parent club Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The Orange and Blue still have the reigning MVP in Lucho Acosta, while also bringing in Corey Baird to replace Vazquez and Miles Robinson to take up the right-sided center-back role. Cincinnati didn't have a terrible window, but if felt like there was a little something missing in order for them to challenge for the Supporters' Shield again.

6. Inter Miami

Do Inter Miami have loads of talent and the greatest-ever player in their squad? Yes.

Do Miami also have players that are nearing the ends of their careers, coupled with the fact that there will be enormous pressure on them to do well in four separate competitions. Yes.

Lionel Messi and the likes of Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba and head coach Gerardo 'Tata' Martino have faced greater adversity than they have in Miami. But who knows how long it will take for Miami to gel, and that's not even considering how often their star players will need to rest, sit out due to little knocks here and there, etc.

Miami will more than likely get things rolling at one point or another in 2024, but it won't be enough to propel them to the top of the Eastern Conference.

7. New England Revolution

It's been a wild year or so for the New England Revolution. Bruce Arena was placed on leave by MLS, Djordje Petrovic was transferred to Chelsea and there was reported drama behind the scenes at Gillette Stadium.

However, New England still managed to finish in fifth place despite all of the turmoil that went on in and around the club. With new head coach Caleb Porter to take the touchline as well as Carles Gil and Tomas Chancalay returning, the Revs should be able to finish in a respectable position in a transition year.

8. New York City FC

The 2024 season will be a make-or-break season for NYCFC head coach Nick Cushing. With the likes of Talles Magno, Keaton Parks, James Sands and new signings Hannes Wolf and Agustin Ojeda, Cushing has no excused to not finish in a playoff slot this time around.

9. New York Red Bulls

It'll be tricky, but New York Red Bulls will just about snatch a postseason place to feature in the Wild Card round with new signing Emil Forsberg and first-year boss Sandro Schwarz to keep their playoff streak alive.

2024 is very much a transition season for Red Bulls, but Forsberg could provide the spark needed to push them over the line and create a Cinderella story in MLS Cup playoffs.

10. Nashville SC

Like the Union, Nashville SC have remained consistent and relevant in their first four years as an expansion side. The Coyotes' play took a nosedive near the end of last season, though, which could spell certain doom in the upcoming campaign.

Nashville's defense remains one of MLS' best, but the attacking trio of Hany Mukhtar, Sam Surridge and new signing Tyler Boyd will have to shoulder the load for most of the season with little depth behind them.

11. Chicago Fire

Chicago Fire have made plenty of moves in this transfer window, bringing the likes of Andrew Gutman, Hugo Cuypers and Kellyn Acosta in to try to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

But the decision to keep Frank Klopas as head coach was interesting, to say the least. Maybe I'm wrong, but appointing Klopas just doesn't fill me with confidence about the Fire's chances in 2024.

12. Charlotte FC

Charlotte FC made an interesting hire in appointing Dean Smith's as the club's third head coach in as many seasons in their young history. Smith's last couple of jobs in his native England just haven't ended well, let's be honest.

But it's a fresh start for Smith in Charlotte, and he's wasted no time in getting rid of unwanted players -- see Kamil Jozwiak and Karol Swiderski. However, Enzo Copetti can't do it all alone up front and will need fellow attackers to join ahead of the new season if they are to push for a playoff spot.

13. CF Montreal

CF Montreal are another club that are beginning 2024 with a new head coach, as Laurent Courtois is set to take the touchline at the Canadian club after serving as head coach with Columbus Crew 2.

Montreal have a few talented players in the squad such as Kwadwo Opoku, Mathieu Choiniere and Josef Martinez -- but I find it hard to picture them qualifying for the postseason come Decision Day in October.

14. DC United

Christian Benteke shined in 2023 for DC United, and that's about it. It was a grim season for the Black and Red last term that saw Wayne Rooney depart the club after their final regular season game.

It wouldn't be a shock to many to see DC struggle again in 2024 with first-year head coach Troy Lesesne, who no doubt has a tough challenge on his hands to turn things around at Audi Field.

15. Toronto FC

Things can't get worse in 2024 for Toronto FC, right? Think again.

Even with an excellent first-year head coach in John Herdman, the team didn't make too many moves in the offseason with Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi still on the books. Even if the Italian duo can find their form with TFC, they can't do it all alone -- meaning another season outside of the top nine for the Canadian side.

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