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Round 1 of the 2024 MLS Playoffs ended in the most dramatic way possible, seeing the No. 1 seed Inter Miami and Lionel Messi exit the postseason in a Game 3 loss to Atlanta United. The 2024 MLS MVP finalist led the Herons to the Supporters’ Shield while setting the all-time MLS points record during a campaign, but they fell short in playoffs.
They weren’t the only team upset, though. In fact, the top three seeds in the Eastern Conference ALL lost, with both the Columbus Crew and FC Cincinnati failing to secure a berth in the Conference Semifinals, too. Elsewhere in the East, Charlotte FC existed the postseason in Dean Smith’s first taste of the MLS Playoffs on the touchline after a loss to Orlando City SC.
In the West, though, it was a different story as the three of the top four seeds were excellent. No. 1 seed LAFC eliminated the Vancouver Whitecaps, No. 2 LA Galaxy bested the Colorado Rapids and No. 4 Seattle Sounders advanced after beating the Houston Dynamo. Still, No. 3 seed RSL were eliminated at the hands of Minnesota United.
For nearly every side who failed to advance, there were noticeable areas where issues arose. Whether that be in the attack, in their defense – or perhaps, even on the touchline. Then, in a more pressing matter, it was noticeable who underperformed and where teams need to look to the transfer market this offseason.
GOAL takes a look at each playoff team that exited in Round 1 of the postseason, offering some insight into what went right, what went wrong and where they could improve this offseason.
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Getty Images SportInter Miami
What went wrong: All season long, Miami’s defense was their biggest issue, and in the postseason, it was exploited. Their inability to navigate their roster evenly to distribute funds to their defense – along with their star-studded attack, ultimately became the reason they fell short of achieving greatness. Of course, late injuries to Yannick Bright and Sergio Busquets were not helpful, but overall, their defense let them down – in cup competitions, and in the postseason.
READ MORE: Inter Miami’s flaws exposed in first round upset
What went right: Anything Messi touched was magic when he played. The league’s most brilliant player to ever touch foot in it, the Argentine maestro was a genius on and off the pitch for the Herons. It’s remarkable how clinical he was in front of net, scoring 20 goals in 19 appearances, how stupendous his passing was with 16 assists and genuinely, non-stop magic. In addition to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, though, the growth of players like Benjamin Cremaschi, Diego Gomez and David Ruiz was brilliant to watch.
Biggest offseason need: Center back, right back and a defensive midfielder. They need to bolster all three positions if they want to compete for an MLS Cup title in 2025, whether that’s with depth signings or starting-caliber players. They need bodies who can compete at the MLS level.
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USA Today ImagesColumbus Crew
What went wrong: Nearly invincible the entire season, the Crew collapsed at the worst possible time – and sometimes that just happens. There are a lot of potential reasons. Ranging from potential fatigue from contending in five competitions (MLS, U.S. Open Cup, Leagues Cup, Champions League and the Campeones Cup) to perhaps underestimating their opponent, it’s difficult to pinpoint where things exactly caused the way the season ended for the Crew.
In the end, they just couldn’t get the job done in the postseason.
What went right: Pretty dang much everything. They made it to three Cup finals, winning the Leagues Cup and took Inter Miami to the wire in the race for the MLS Supporters’ Shield. Their mid-season trade for DeJuan Jones was brilliant business by their front office, too. For 99 percent of the season, the Crew had their foot on the gas pedal. The minute they took it off, though, things went south.
Biggest offseason need: Figuring out how to hold on to Cucho Hernandez amid interest from Europe and Mexico. The 2024 MLS MVP finalist was nothing short of remarkable this season, with 19 goals and 11 assists, and is deservedly in the conversation for a move abroad. However, if the Crew can find a way to hold onto him, that’s better business than any move they could make.
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USA Today ImagesFC Cincinnati
What went wrong: Season-ending injuries to two key defenders,Matt Miazga and Nick Hagglund, and the failure to replace Brandon Vazquez after his Liga MX transfer in January ultimately proved costly for FCC. Pat Noonan had to get creative with his defense at points throughout the season due to a lack of like-replacements, and it’s the biggest focal point of where things went wrong. However, FCC lacked a pure natural goalscorer throughout the season, and come the end of the campaign, they were playing wingback Luca Orellano up top because at least he was creative and would register attempts.
What went right: The addition of Orellano on loan from Brazil (with rumors they’re going to make it a permanent deal). The Argentine was absolutely terrific all season long, regardless of where he played. He was a finalist for Newcomer of the Year, and beyond reigning league MVP Lucho Acosta, was their most important performer all season long.
Biggest offseason need: Striker and keeping Acosta. They desperately need to spend big and bring in a DP-caliber striker, especially if they want to have hopes of holding onto Acosta, who expressed disappointment after their playoff elimination with the club and publicly questioned his long-term future at the club.
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USA Today ImagesReal Salt Lake
What went wrong: Chicho Arango forgot how to score. Someway, somehow, he ended the season with 17 goals but went 11 games scoreless to end the season across all competitions. Factor in that Diego Luna ended the campaign in a slump, and RSL’s summer transfer business did not pay off the way they wanted, nothing really went to plan. A Round 1 playoff exit always felt like it was on the cards.
READ MORE: RSL’s collapse part of domino effect
What went right: The first half of their season was genuinely stupendous. They were competing with the league’s best teams week-in and week-out, and some even had them touted as potential MLS Supporters’ Shield competitors. However, the August transfer of Andres Gomez to France and Arango’s goal-scoring woes ultimately doomed them.
Biggest offseason need: Depth in the striker position. They never had anyone who could push Arango for minutes on the pitch, and perhaps, he felt as though there was no competition to take his minutes despite underwhelming performances.
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Getty Images SportColorado Rapids
What went wrong: Defensively, the Rapids were a disaster, conceding 60 goals during the regular season. Their attack found blistering form at times, offsetting that, but their back line became a liability they could not overcome in the grand scheme of things.
Come the postseason, they were pummeled by the Galaxy, conceding nine goals across two legs, and it was a summary of how the final months of their season went.
What went right: In their debut season under Chris Armas, the Rapids created an identity and stuck to it. Rafael Navarro had a career year, with 15 goals, while Cole Bassett played some really impressive soccer. In net, Zack Steffen had a great return season to MLS, and overall, it just felt like Colorado finally found the building blocks to something.
Biggest offseason need: Center back – they need to replace Moise Bombito, desperately. Over the final stretch of the season, Colorado’s defensive performances were nothing short of shambolic. In the playoffs, it became embarrassing. If they can go out and spend to bring in two elite central defenders to compete for minutes, it’s a good sign of recognizing where they need to better themselves.
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ImagnCharlotte FC
What went wrong: Their attack lacked consistency, and the pieces around Ghanaian forward Patrick Agyemang didn’t fit. It was a lot of trial and error trying to find the best mix, but it never really arrived. Karol Swiderski returned to the squad, but lacked impact while Liel Abada and Pep Biel underwhelmed more often than not.
What went right: Defense. Defense. Defense.
Dean Smith had Charlotte’s back line locked-in every single week, conceding the second-least amount of goals during the regular season across the entire league. Adilson Malanda is a star, while the midseason addition of U.S. international Tim Ream proved to be a brilliant one.
Biggest offseason need: Central midfield and right wing. Spanish loanee Pep Biel constantly underwhelmed throughout the campaign, and became a liability in the postseason, being sent off in Game 1 and missing his penalty in Game 3. In the middle of the park, 34-year-old Ashley Westwood has a great campaign, but he could use some youthful legs and creativity around him. They have DP spots to play with, so it’s a big offseason for CLT.
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IMGANHouston Dynamo
What went wrong: The Dynamo lacked a natural goalscorer all season long. they brought in Argentine Ezequiel Ponce in August, but he scored just three goals in 12 appearances for Houston. This season would have looked different if they had more consistency up top.
What went right: Manager Ben Olsen had Houston playing some of the best defensive and possession-based soccer in the league. Artur was stupendous all season long, and Griffin Dorsey had a career year at right back. They have a great skeleton heading into 2025, and some good pieces to build around.
Biggest offseason need: Replace Hector Herrera. Find a top-tier, ball-winning midfielder who can play a box-to-box role in aggressive fashion. They need somebody who won’t shy away from a tackle, someone who will own the tempo of the match and progress the ball forward. Another goal scorer would also help.
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IMGANVancouver Whitecaps
What went wrong: Over the final stretch of the regular season, Vancouver fell victim to injuries and multiple international call-ups during important matches. They lacked consistency throughout the campaign, and come the postseason, they just didn’t have the talent to compete with LAFC in the home stretch.
What went right: They played fearless attacking soccer all season long, and manager Vanni Sartini got the most out of his side by doing so. They never lacked intensity, and they stormed the postseason, recording a victory in the Wildcard game over Portland where Ryan Gauld set a record for goal contributions, and then a shocking Game 2 victory over LAFC, as well. They were valiant warriors who fell just short.
Biggest offseason need: Use their third Designated Player slot on a winger or attacking midfielder. At age 33, Fafa Picault is likely to not replicate his 2024 season of nine goals and five assists again, and beyond Gauld, they lacked creativity in the final-third all season long.
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