MLS experts have officially revealed their final predictions for the upcoming season, with Inter Miami not placed to finish top of the Eastern Conference.
Lionel Messi’s side will be the most followed club in the entire division heading into the 2024 MLS season, which kicks off this week as Inter Miami host Real Salt Lake.
Having signed Luis Suarez this winter as well as Julian Gressel and Nicolas Freire, Inter Miami have one of the richest and best squads MLS has ever seen, with the likes of Federico Redondo also expected to join.
Yet as per MLS’s official website, experts have only predicted Inter Miami to finish fifth in the Eastern Conference, behind reigning MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew and Florida rivals Orlando City SC.
Given how poorly Inter Miami did last season in MLS, it makes sense why experts have predicted the Herons to qualify for the play-offs yet not top their conference.
Yet if Messi and company can stay fit, there’s no reason why Inter Miami can’t go all the way and win the Eastern Conference, an accomplishment that will set the Florida franchise up for MLS Cup glory.
Inter Miami can prove MLS experts wrong in a big way this season
Inter Miami have already shown their credentials with Messi in their ranks in the form of Leagues Cup, with Tata Martino’s side eager to add to their trophy cabinet this season.
The US Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions League will be huge goals for Inter Miami, but the main prize has to be MLS Cup, with top spot in their sights.
Not only does coming top of the Eastern Conference add another piece of silverware to Inter Miami’s growing list of accolades, it will give the Herons a berth into the next round of the play-offs.
And with a squad as old as Inter Miami’s having to skip a game could be huge for the likes of Messi and Suarez, who will want to hit peak form at the end of the regular season.