5 MLS favorites to win Leagues Cup 2024
- The Leagues Cup 2024 group stage kicks off on July 26
- Columbus Crew get a bye to the knockout rounds
- Inter Miami will likely be without Lionel Messi for a majority of the competition
Leagues Cup 2024 might feature all 29 Major League Soccer clubs, but there are five MLS favorites that are truly capable of winning the entire competition.
Every team from the MLS and Liga MX will put their domestic campaigns aside for the next month as they compete in Leagues Cup 2024. The World Cup-style tournament begins with an action-packed group stage, followed by the knockout rounds, and ends with a final showdown on Aug. 25. Only the best MLS squads will survive the competition alongside Liga MX giants like Club America and Monterrey. Inter Miami won Leagues Cup 2023, but the tournament is wide-open this summer.
Here's a breakdown of the five MLS favorites to win Leagues Cup 2024.
5 MLS favorites to win Leagues Cup 2024
5. FC Cincinnati
Heading into Leagues Cup 2024, FC Cincinnati have the third-most points in the entire MLS with 48, and are just behind Inter Miami in the Eastern Conference standings. The Orange and Blue won their Leagues Cup group last year, but lost in their first knockout match. If all goes according to plan, they will best their previous finish and then some.
Two months ago, Pat Noonan's side would have been an even bigger favorite to win Leagues Cup 2024, but their recent run of form, including three consecutive losses ahead of the tournament, have decreased their winning odds. Plus, Cincinnati will be without Miles Robinson, who is representing the USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
4. LA Galaxy
LA Galaxy currently sit in first place of the Western Conference with 49 points. The once MLS giants are one of the most consistent clubs in Major League Soccer this season, and have done a great job to rebound from their disastrous 2023 campaign.
Despite LA Galaxy's success in the standings, they still have weaknesses at the back that can easily be exposed in a knockout tournament like Leagues Cup. Greg Vanney's squad has conceded nine goals in the last three weeks alone, calling into question their ability to make the Leagues Cup final.
3. Inter Miami
The reigning Leagues Cup champions are a major threat to go back-to-back this summer. The Herons currently sit atop the Eastern Conference with 53 points, and have lost just one match in the last month and a half. With Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Luis Suarez leading Tata Martino's side, it is hard to envision many other clubs in the tournament besting Inter Miami.
The Herons will likely be without Lionel Messi, though, for at least the start of Leagues Cup 2024. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner suffered an ankle injury in the Copa America 2024 final, and has not played a match for his club since.
2. Columbus Crew
As the reigning MLS Cup champions, Columbus Crew earned a bye to the Round of 32 at Leagues Cup 2024. The Crew are the only MLS club that does not have to play the group stage, and therefore have an inherent advantage in this summer's tournament.
Wilfried Nancy's squad might only be in third place of the Eastern Conference, but Cucho Hernandez and Diego Rossi are more than capable of once again leading the Crew to a trophy.
1. LAFC
LAFC will be eager to best their quarter-finals finish from Leagues Cup 2023. The Black and Gold are currently second in the Western Conference with 47 points, just two behind their rivals, LA Galaxy. Denis Bouanga leads the team with 16 goals in 25 appearances, and Mateusz Bogusz is only three behind with 13 goals.
LAFC's electric electric attack will only get better with the arrival of Olivier Giroud. France's all-time leading goalscorer signed with the Black and Gold back in May, and will likely debut at some point during Leagues Cup 2024, giving Steve Cherundolo's squad even more firepower up front.