The BIG FotMob 2024 MLS Preview: Western Conference
With the 2024 season about to get underway, we thought we’d take you through a team-by-team look at how things are shaping up.
By James Nalton
Austin FC
Who?
Austin only began play in 2021 but already feel like a well-established MLS team.
It helps that they are the only major league sports team in the city, and draw plenty of support and coverage as a result. It also helps that the club has one of the best aesthetics in MLS, including one of the coolest logos.
Having finished second in the Western Conference in 2022, Austin dropped off last year and didn’t qualify for the playoffs, so will be looking to recover in 2024 to show 2022 wasn’t a flash in the pan.
Familiar names?
Forward Gyasi Zardes has 68 caps for the United States, while Sebastian Driussi is one of the more well-known players within the league having scored 22 goals in that successful 2022 season.
Young star
The 19-year-old midfielder Owen Wolff is the son of Austin’s coach, Josh Wolff, and saw regular game time in 2023. He’ll get similar in 2024 and should continue to improve.
New signing
Colombian winger Jáder Obrian was acquired via the re-entry draft this year following three seasons with FC Dallas.
Austin FC sporting director, Rodolfo Borell, formerly of Manchester City and Liverpool, described Obrian as “a dynamic threat in the wide areas” and he could help the team get more from Driussi this year.
Colorado Rapids
Who?
One of numerous founding MLS members who will be looking to show that the original members can still make a mark on this league.
Colorado have declined rapidly since finishing top of the Western Conference in 2021, to the point where they finished bottom of the conference last year.
A new head coach in Chris Armas and some eye-catching off-season signings suggest they mean business in 2024, or at least intend to.
Familiar names?
Former Manchester City goalkeeper Zack Steffen is back in MLS where he will be looking to reclaim his status as the United States best goalkeeper.
A lack of games for City saw his development stall, and he and the Rapids will hope regular playing time helps him recover form in 2024.
Young star
Cole Bassett remains one of the young players to watch in MLS at 22, but teenage striker Darren Yapi will be hoping for a breakout year.
New signing
Djordje Mihailovic was one of the outstanding players in the league during his time with the Montreal Impact.
The creative attacking midfielder is now back in MLS after a stint in the Netherlands and is considered a coup for the Rapids.
FC Dallas
Who?
FC Dallas are a team known for producing American talent, many of whom have gone on to star for the national team. The likes of Weston McKennie, Chris Richards, Reggie Cannon, and Ricardo Pepi are all FC Dallas alumni.
Another MLS original, Dallas won the US Open Cup in 1997 under their original name, Dallas Burn, and have since gone on to win the cup again in 2016 and a Supporters’ Shield in the same year to complete a league and cup double.
They are always there or thereabouts when it comes to qualifying for the postseason, but are yet to win an MLS Cup.
Familiar names?
Jesus Ferreira was part of the United States’ World Cup squad in 2022 and the 23-year-old is another of the club’s talented homegrown players.
Young star
Bernard Kamungo, 22, emerged as not just a promising young star, but as potentially one of the league’s best players and should build on that in 2024. Meanwhile, 20-year-old American winger/wing-back Dante Sealy is an exciting prospect and will be hoping for more minutes this season.
New signing
Petar Musa arrives from Benfica as a new club-record signing for Dallas and provides a focal point for the attack which should benefit Ferreria.
If all of this goes to plan, it could turn out to be one of the best signings of the off-season.
Houston Dynamo
Who?
The current US Open Cup holders finished third in the Western Conference last season and made it as far as the conference finals in the playoffs.
The team that plays in the heart of Houston will be looking to build on a solid and successful first season under head coach Ben Olsen.
Familiar names?
In 2023 Hector Herrera emerged as the key player the club expected him to be and was a key part of their achievements in 2023.
With over 100 caps for the Mexico national team, the 33-year-old is one of the biggest names in MLS.
Young star
With Hector Herrera likely to miss the beginning of the season through injury, it could be time for 18-year-old Brooklyn Raines to step up in MLS.
Like one of his idols, Darlington Nagbe, Raines is Liberia-born but US-raised and has already appeared for the US at youth level.
New signing
The team appear to have opted to build on what they have rather than make moves in the transfer market.
Sebastián Ferreira returns from a loan in Brazil with Vasco da Gama, and fits the cliche of “like a new signing.” He could yet turn out to be a good one.
LA Galaxy
Who?
Formerly the Galacticos of MLS, and perhaps still the most recognisable name in the league, the Galaxy are looking to recover some quality and consistency having only qualified for the playoffs twice in the last seven years.
The team from Carson, California, remains the most decorated in league history with five MLS Cup titles and four Supporters’ Shields (the equivalent to league titles), but their last was now almost ten years ago—an MLS Cup in 2014.
Familiar names?
Riqui Puig, formerly of Barcelona, is arguably the most talented midfielder in the league and could be the one to steer LA Galaxy back to greatness with the right supporting cast.
Young star
The Galaxy paid a fee in multiple millions for 20-year-old Argentine left-back Julian Aude in 2023 and will be expecting improvement from him in 2024.
Aude is one of a young duo on the left side of the Galaxy defence, along with centre-back Jalen Neal.
New signing
There has been a lot of buzz on the West Coast around the club’s acquisition of Gabriel Pec from Vasco da Gama.
The 23-year-old brings good work right off the ball and directness with it, and should be an upgrade on departing compatriot Douglas Costa.
Los Angeles FC
Who?
The newer of the two current LA teams, LAFC began to play in MLS in 2018 and have gone on to regularly be one of the best-performing sides in the league.
They have already won the Supporters’ Shield twice, in 2019 and 2022, and combined the latter with an MLS Cup win.
On top of this, they finished runner-up in the Concacaf Champions League in 2020 and 2023, and runner-up in the MLS Cup final last season.
It is a franchise built for success, but it is not as easy to predict that success heading into 2024 which could be a transition year.
There is great potential in the LAFC ranks, though, and if that is realised early, they could be difficult to stop.
Familiar names?
The team saw Giorgio Chiellini and Carlos Vela depart at the end of last season but added Hugo Lloris between the posts for 2024.
Young star
This is a squad full of young players with great potential and two of them are expected to fight for the right-wing position this season. Uruguayan 21-year-old Cristian Olivera will likely start the season there, but look out for 18-year-old Venezuelan David Martínez.
New signing
As is often the case with LAFC, new signings and young stars go hand in hand, and 20-year-old striker Tomás Ángel is another example.
Tomás is the son of former Aston Villa and New York Red Bulls striker Juan Pablo Ángel who also played in LA for the Galaxy and the now defunct Chivas USA.
Tomás could start games sooner rather than later, combining with inside left forward Denis Bouanga who is the star of the show for LAFC.
Minnesota United
Who?
They are the team that is set to hire Manchester United coach, Eric Ramsay, as their new head coach, and were previously managed by former Everton player Adrian Heath.
2023 was the first time they failed to qualify for the playoffs since their first two seasons in MLS in 2017 and 2018.
Their Argentine playmaker Emanuel Reynoso is one of the best in the league. If he and Teemu Pukki can combine they could return to the playoff picture.
Familiar names?
Speaking of Pukki, the Finnish forward formerly of Norwich City in the Championship and Premier League is a star player in MLS and one of the league’s highest-paid players.
Young star
South Korean forward Sang-bin Jeong is the only player under 21 with reasonable playing time last season, and they will expect more from him this year as he turns 22 in April.
New signing
Swedish defender Victor Eriksson joins as an option at centre-back and could be a starter, but not much has happened in the offseason. Even the signing of Ramsay as head coach was very last minute.
Portland Timbers
Who?
One of the oldest and most established names in American soccer, a team called the Timbers has been around since the days of NASL in the 1970s.
The team also has USL titles to its name, and since joining MLS in 2011 has twice finished top of the Western Conference and won the MLS Cup in 2015.
Familiar names?
The Timbers hired Phil Neville to be their head coach ahead of the 2024 season. He’ll be looking to prove a point after leaving Inter Miami.
Young star
Colombian 21-year-old Juan Mosquera started 27 games in the league last season and looks set to be a key player at right back once again.
New signing
In Maxime Crépeau, Portland are getting one of the better goalkeepers in the league.
Crepeau made way for Hugo Lloris at LAFC but could be the better performer of the two in 2024.
Real Salt Lake
Who?
An interesting team with interesting players from an interesting part of the world.
RSL won the MLS Cup back in 2009 and have only failed to reach the playoffs in the three seasons since.
Could 2024 be the year they get the best from their young squad and win something under Pablo Mastroeni?
Familiar names?
Not really, though Braian Ojeda played a handful of games for Nottingham Forest and former Everton and Sunderland left-back Bryan Oviedo is an option at left back.
But who needs familiar names when you have…
Young star
Conveniently dubbed the new Diego Luna due to arriving at the club from USL, as Luna did, Fidel Barajas is only 17 but already a highly-rated winger.
Luna, though, is the real player to watch for this season with a year of regular games under his belt from 2023. The 20-year-old should have a future with the United States national team if they can find a place for his unique talent.
New signing
Matt Crooks (who might also count as a familiar name for anyone who watches Championship and League One football in England) arrived on the back of three seasons with Middlesbrough and could be one of those low-key but very effective signings.
San Jose Earthquakes
Who?
Another historic name in US soccer, the Earthquakes were one of the founding teams in MLS, under the name San Jose Clash, having previously competed in NASL.
As with many of the older clubs in American soccer, there has been some turbulence throughout their history, including a two-year hiatus in 2006 and 2007.
Not too long ago they were one of the most exciting teams in the league for neutrals to watch, but they now seem to be aiming for some more solidity in an attempt to bring a better chance of success.
Familiar names?
Carlos Akapo recently starred at right-back for the Equatorial Guinea side that made the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Young star
Niko Tsakiris enjoyed a run of games in the side towards the end of last season, and the 18-year-old will be pushing for starts in midfield in the new season.
New signing
Amahl Pellegrino was prolific in the last two seasons for Bodø/Glimt, topping the scoring charts in Norway’s top tier in 2022 and 2023.
Imagine if the 33-year-old can do the same in MLS. The Earthquakes would become a real force.
Seattle Sounders
Who?
One of the most decorated teams in MLS who, since joining the league in 2009, have won four Open Cups, two MLS Cups, and a Supporters’ Shield.
On top of this, the Sounders won the 2022 Concacaf Champions League, becoming the first MLS team to do so in its current format, and competed in the 2022 Club World Cup on the back of that win.
They didn’t manage to qualify for the 2024 version of Concacaf’s continental competition, though, so their focus will be mostly on MLS where they will be strong contenders to top the Western Conference.
Familiar names?
Forward Jordan Morris has over 50 caps for the United States and made a fleeting appearance in Wales with Swansea before picking up a serious injury that ended his loan spell there.
He’s a hard-working forward who will always be aiming for double figures in the goals column.
Young star
Obed Vargas played his first MLS game for the Sounders back in 2021, aged 15.
His involvement has increased since, and though not a regular starter he should still get plenty of game time in 2024 and be one to watch.
New signing
The club signed 23-year-old Argentine Pedro de la Vega from Lanús in the offseason for $7.5 million, so it’s safe to say they expect him to become a key player.
Though he’ll wear No. 10, he’s more likely to start from the wing.
Sporting Kansas City
Who?
The club that spans two states, Sporting KC represent the city that spreads from Missouri into Kansas and has been part of the league since the first season in 1996.
Back then it was known by the much more exciting name, Kansas City Wiz, before becoming the Wizards a year later, and then Sporting ahead of the 2011 season.
Sporting KC have regularly topped the Western Conference throughout their history, most recently in 2020, but last season they only just scraped into the playoffs.
Familiar names?
Former Derby County and Dundee United winger Johnny Russell is a key player in this team and also its captain.
Young star
Sporting KC have two young right-backs in their roster, and the youngest of the two, 20-year-old Kayden Pierre, will be fighting to share minutes with 22-year-old Jake Davis this season.
New signing
Having spent a season on loan with Sporting KC’s reserve team in MLS Next Pro, Hunduran forward Alenis Vargas has signed a permanent deal with Sporting KC for 2024.
The 20-year-old joined from the brilliantly named Costa Rican side, Futbol Consultants Desamparados, and adds current depth and future potential across the team’s attack.
St. Louis City
Who?
The revelation of 2023 who topped the Western Conference standing in their debut season in MLS.
St. Louis took the league by storm with its pressing style under South African head coach Bradley Carnell.
Many are predicting a slump in 2023, but St. Louis will be looking to defy the odds once again in 2024.
Familiar names?
Eduard Löwen played several seasons in the German Bundesliga for various clubs and is a key player in midfield for this St. Louis team.
Young star
The club has loaned out young prospects Isak Jensen and Miguel Perez, but their first homegrown signing Caden Glover is still with the first-team squad and could provide cover in the striker position this season.
New signing
Nikolas Dyhr will likely go straight in as the club’s starting left-back. The 22-year-old arrived from the successful Danish club FC Midtjylland.
He’s joined by Norwegian right-back Tomas Totland who could also go straight into the team.
Vancouver Whitecaps
Who?
The current best team in Canada—official!
The Whitecaps finished highest of MLS’s three Canadian teams in 2023 and also won the Canadian Championship—a tournament similar to the US Open Cup that is open to Canadian teams across the country’s leagues, including the Canadian Premier League.
Sadly, the Whitecaps have already been eliminated from the Concacaf Champions Cup (formerly Champions League) this season, but this means they have a clear shot at MLS and improving on last season’s 6th-place finish in the West, which they are more than capable of doing.
The team has great togetherness under Italian head coach Vanni Sartini
Familiar names?
Once a wonderkid at Dundee United, after several years with Sporting CP and loan moves around Portugal, Ryan Gauld has found a home in Canada.
The attacking midfielder is a key player for this team and captained it on numerous occasions last season.
Young star
Ecuadorian attacking midfielder Pedro Vite has been with the Whitecaps since 2021, so despite being just 21 years old, he has experience and grounding in MLS.
The team will be hoping this leads to more end product this season, and if it arrives he will be up with the best young players in the league.
New signing
Damir Kreilach arrives having spent six seasons with Real Salt Lake, bringing the kind of mentality Sartini looks for in a player.
Another leader on the field who also has the potential to contribute to goals.
(Images from IMAGO or MLS Club Media)
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