Early Season Struggles and Surprises in MLS 2024: Who Should Panic and Who Should Celebrate?

It’s time for some MLS teams and their fans to start panicking. With every team having now played multiple games, initial knee-jerk reactions feel a bit less baseless. Teams with multiple wins are starting to daydream about celebratory parade routes, while those without a win are weighing how strictly to stay the course.

At this early stage of the 2024 season, no manager’s future is under more scrutiny than Nick Cushing of NYCFC. The team has zero points after three matches, scoring just one goal over 270 minutes. Despite multiple attacking acquisitions in the offseason, the outlook seems bleak for NYCFC.

Orlando City was expected to shine in 2024 under Oscar Pareja’s leadership, but with only one point from their first three matches, including a recent loss to Minnesota, pressure is rising in Orlando. Their solid 2023 season heightens the disappointment of their slow start this year.

New England, under Caleb Porter, has stumbled out of the gates with three straight losses, with a significant 4-1 defeat against Atlanta United being a low point. Injuries and a lack of finishing are plaguing the team early on.

On the other end of the spectrum, TFC under John Herdman has surprised everyone with an undefeated start to the season, yet to concede a goal. Italian stars Insigne and Bernardeschi are shining under the new system.

Heading north of the border, Laurent Courtois is off to a flying start as head coach of CF Montréal, securing seven points from their first three games on the road. It’s a positive beginning for a team that is displaying a change in ethos.

Minnesota has ushered in a post-Adrian Heath era with positive results and a more pleasing style of play, focusing on efficient field positioning and creating more promising chances. Reynoso’s return remains a key variable in their performance.

RBNY, under new head coach Sandro Schwarz, has impressed with seven points after three games, showcasing a dynamic playmaking force in Forsberg. The team’s strong underlying numbers from 2023 are finally translating into wins on the field.