2024 MLS Western Conference predictions
- This year's Western Conference is rather top-heavy
- Two clubs in the division begin their season with new head coaches
- A few bosses will be coaching for the jobs before the season has even started
The 2024 Western Conference is shaping up to be rather top-heavy division with just a few clubs battling it out for the top positions.
Unlike the Eastern Conference -- which contains several first-year head coaches as well as many quality sides up and down the division -- the Western Conference has just a few teams that will dominate and run things before San Diego FC join the conference next season in the 30th campaign in league history.
Here's how the Western Conference will shape up in 2024.
1. Seattle Sounders
Seattle Sounders parted ways with club legend Nicolas Lodeiro, but Albert Rusnak is set to step up and take on the attacking midfielder duties in his place. When you combine that with the signing of Pedro de la Vega from Lanus, the Sounders almost seem a lock to finish at the summit of the conference.
2. St Louis CITY
It will be difficult for St Louis CITY to top their magical inaugural 2023 season in which they finished at the top of the Western Conference with the likes of Joao Klauss, Roman Burki and Eduard Lowen leading the way.
However, St Louis will look to do better in the postseason this time around after their first-round exit to rivals Sporting Kansas City.
3. LAFC
LAFC will push for a first place finish in the conference, but they'll be lucky to manage a top four finish after their busy offseason.
While the 2022 MLS Cup winners have brought Omar Campos, David Martinez and World Cup winner Hugo Lloris into the side, they also saw Diego Palacios, Kellyn Acosta and Maxime Crepeau depart the club -- while Carlos Vela is still in negotiations to return. It'll be another solid year for the Black and Gold, but perhaps not as good as we've been accustomed to seeing in recent seasons.
4. Houston Dynamo
It's fair to say many weren't expecting Ben Olsen to turn Houston Dynamo around in his first season in charge, but he did just that and then some.
The former DC United boss guided Houston to a fourth place finish last term and lifted the US Open Cup over Inter Miami. But as Corey Baird departed the club, his side might be a little short in the attacking unit but at the same time should have enough to claim a respectable fourth place finish for the second straight season.
5. Vancouver Whitecaps
Vancouver Whitecaps enjoyed a successful 2023 campaign that saw them lift the Canadian Championship for the second straight season before falling in the first round of the playoffs to LAFC.
With Ryan Gauld and Brian White spearheading the attack once again, the Whitecaps should have enough in them for a fifth place finish in the new season -- despite head coach Vanni Sartini serving a six-game suspension at the beginning of the season.
6. LA Galaxy
LA Galaxy's 2023 campaign was one to forget, that's for sure. With head coach Greg Vanney with his back against the wall, the Gs must improve this season as they've brought in several fresh faces like record signing Gabriel Pec, Miki Yamane and John McCarthy to improve the starting lineup.
The five-time MLS Cup winners might not lift a trophy just yet, but it'll be just enough to buy Vanney some more time as head coach.
7. Colorado Rapids
What an offseason the Colorado Rapids have had thus far. After bringing in new head coach Chris Armas, the Rapids finally decided to open up their checkbook to bring in Zack Steffen, Sam Vines, Djordje Mihailovic and Lamine Diack, as each player instantly walks into the starting lineup.
It might not look pretty at times on the pitch, but the Rapids have done enough work in the transfer window to secure a postseason slot in 2024.
8. Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers' 2023 campaign was not up to par and definitely not what we're used to seeing from the 2015 MLS Cup winners.
They made an interesting decision to bring Phil Neville to the club after his sacking at Inter Miami, but after the additions of Kamal Miller (who was with Neville at Miami for a few months) and Maxime Crepeau, things are starting to look bright again for Portland.
9. FC Dallas
FC Dallas just haven't been able to get over the hump in MLS Cup playoffs, and that theme continued in 2023.
Jesus Ferreira led the team up front alongside Alan Velasco before his season-ending injury, but new signing Petar Musa from Benfica was a statement addition by the Texan club -- but that doesn't gaurantee an automatic playoff spot for Nico Estevez and co.
10. Sporting Kansas City
Peter Vermes was under immense pressure in 2023 after his side failed to win a single game during their first 10 tries. But his Sporting Kansas City side were able to regroup and get healthy again to finish in a Wild Card spot.
However, their inactivity in the transfer window doesn't bode well for their playoff aspirations in the 2024 season.
11. Real Salt Lake
Real Salt Lake aren't even a bad side, with the likes of Cristian 'Chicho' Arango and Pablo Ruiz (who's set to return from injury next month), but they still don't stack up with the top dogs in the Conference.
They transferred Jefferson Savarino to Botafogo and brought in Matt Crooks from Middlesbrough, but it just might not be enough to get into the playoffs this time around.
12. San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose Earthquakes are set to endure a rocky 2024 campaign after the departure of Cade Cowell to Liga MX giant Chivas de Guadelajara and the club not doing much to bolster the defense or midfield.
While they brought in Amahl Pellegrino as a short-term replacement for Cowell, there are still question marks in the backline and middle of the park.
13. Minnesota United
Minnesota United have an excellent duo in Emanuel Reynoso and Teemu Pukki up front as well as Bongokuhle Hlongwane.
But outside of that, there just isn't much to be excited about in Minnesota, especially with the way Adrian Heath was dismissed and how Sean McAuley left the club in such a short time frame. With former Minnesota United 2 boss Cameron Knowles at the helm, don't expect much from the Loons this season.
14. Austin FC
This season is without a doubt Josh Wolff's last shot as Austin FC head coach.
Wolff was unable to guide the team to the playoffs following their impressive 2022 campaign in which they finished in second in the conference, as the team has now missed out on MLS Cup playoffs action in two out of their three seasons of existence.
Austin have quality players in Sebastian Driussi and Emiliano Rigoni, but if Wolff can't bring it all together regarding the big picture, there's a very high chance that he'll be out of a job next winter -- or possibly before then.
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