Leagues Cup 2024 predictions: Winner, Golden Boot, breakout stars
- The Leagues Cup 2024 Group Stage begins Friday night
- All 47 teams from MLS and Liga MX will battle it out during the month-long competition
- Inter Miami won Leagues Cup 2023 after Lionel Messi's breathtaking performances in the tournament
Leagues Cup 2024 promises to bring plenty of action, goals and drama in the month-long tournament between all 47 of MLS and Liga MX clubs.
Last summer, we saw Inter Miami lift Leagues Cup 2023 after the arrivals of Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets as the south Florida side lifted their first-ever piece of silverware. Things will be different this time around as Miami do have a more talented squad overall but will more than likely be without Messi and Luis Suarez for a huge chunk of the tournament.
With Messi recovering from an ankle injury in the Copa America final, many teams from both leagues could be eyeing up chances to take down the current winners. One thing is for certain, though: Leagues Cup is guaranteed to bring us more drama, chaos and goals like we saw in last summer's edition.
Here are 90min's Leagues Cup 2024 predictions.
Leagues Cup 2024 predictions
Leagues Cup 2024 Predicted Winners
Club America have arguably the most stacked squad out of all the teams competing in Leagues Cup 2024. The Eagles are fresh off a 2024 Clausura title and have stumbled out of the gate in the 2024 Apertura, but there's a reason why they are favorites for any competition they are in.
Honorable mentions: LAFC, FC Cincinnati, Columbus Crew, LA Galaxy, Inter Miami, Cruz Azul, CF Monterrey
Leagues Cup 2024 Predicted Flops
Even though Atlanta United will be flowing with confidence after their 2-1 comeback victory over Columbus Crew, Atlanta are still lacking some difference makers (and a head coach) and firepower in the final third after the sales of Thiago Almada and Giorgos Giakoumakis. When you couple that with a tricky group against DC United and Santos Laguna, the Five Stripes could face a group stage exit at Leagues Cup.
Honorable mentions: Toronto FC, Vancouver Whitecaps, Portland Timbers, Club Pachuca
Leagues Cup 2024 Predicted Golden Boot Winner
LAFC star Denis Bouanga came in third place in the Leagues Cup 2023 Golden Boot race with six goals, and he'll be determined to finish atop the goalscoring charts this summer with Messi out injured and Minnesota United's Bongokuhle Hlongwane unlikely to catch fire again. Plus, LAFC are set up perfectly for tournament play with their direct counter-attack approach that plays right into Bouanga's strengths.
Honorable mentions: Cucho Hernandez, Henry Martin, Giorgos Giakoumakis, German Berterame, Luciano Acosta, Olivier Giroud
Leagues Cup 2024 Predicted Assists Leader
Luciano 'Lucho' Acosta has not slowed down since his MVP-winning 2023 season as he's almost already surpassed his 31 goal involvements from the previous term. Acosta is one of the best chance creators in North America and looks set to tack on many more assists in Leagues Cup.
Honorable mentions: Sergio Canales, Erick Sanchez, Riqui Puig, Dante Vanzeir, Lorenzo Insigne
Leagues Cup 2024 Predicted Breakout Player
Pedro de la Vega's time in MLS thus far hasn't been great as the former Lanus player has had his fair share of injury problems ever since his arrival to Seattle Sounders this winter. De la Vega is capable of playing anywhere on the frontline, and Seattle's No 10. could look to announce himself on the big stage after a frustrating start to the 2024 season.
Honorable mentions: Cedric Teuchert, Osman Bukari, Hernan Lopez, Jhonder Cadiz