Inter Miami are already preparing extensively for the 2024 Major League Soccer season by going on a world tour.
With three exhibition matches already done and dusted, the Herons will square off with Al-Nassr next, where the fans at the Kingdom Arena are hoping to see the two of the sport’s GOATs, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, convene again this Thursday evening.
Meanwhile, the two Los Angeles-based clubs, LA Galaxy and LAFC, have some decisions to make as they deal with departures this winter transfer window.
As we look ahead to another fun campaign, which is just around the corner, let’s take a look at some of the latest Major League Soccer 2024 updates here at SBOTOP.
Inter Miami out to end their winless run
One of the backdrops ahead of the much-awaited friendly match on Thursday is the fact that Inter Miami come into this game in horrendous form.
Since routing Toronto 4-0 in mid-September, the Herons went winless in their next 11 games across all competitions (D4, L7), including back-to-back defeats against FC Dallas (1-0) and Al-Hilal (4-3) this week.
Earlier this transfer window, Inter Miami brought in another Lionel Messi ally in Luis Suarez to reinforce their attack, but that’s not the issue for their team.
For the Herons to make a playoff run next season, they must strengthen at the back after surrendering 54 goals last term, the second-worst mark in the Eastern Conference.
With their current defence, Inter Miami are going to have a hard time keeping Al-Nassr at bay, especially if Cristiano Ronaldo is available for this matchup.
The former Manchester United striker finished 2023 as the top scorer in the world with 54 goals and is showing no signs of slowing down, even as he turns 39 next week.
Ronaldo recently issued a public apology to the Chinese fans after he suffered a calf injury that ultimately led to Al-Nassr’s postponement of their China preseason tour.
Messi and Ronaldo last squared off in January 2023, when PSG took on the Riyadh All-Star squad in Saudi Arabia. It’s going to be fun to see these two go at it at least one more time.
LA Galaxy moving on from Chicharito
After spending the last four seasons with the LA Galaxy, Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez is returning to Chivas, the team where he started his professional career in 2006.
The 35-year-old striker, who scored 39 goals in 82 appearances for the club, left Los Angeles in November as his contract was expiring, and he hadn’t played for the team since tearing his ACL in June last year.
Chicharito was given a hero’s welcome by his boyhood club recently. Chivas are hoping that their newest addition can lead them back to the top of Liga MX.
With Chicharito out, the LA Galaxy will rely on Tyler Boyd and Riqui Puig to lead the team in scoring again next season. Last season, the duo combined for a total of 14 goals and 12 assists.
The LA Galaxy will be looking to improve their Major League Soccer 2024 odds and bounce back after finishing as the second-worst team in the Western Conference last season.
In this transfer window, LA Galaxy have brought in 30-year-old centre-back Miki Yamane from Kawasaki Frontale to fortify their defence, while they’re also interested in acquiring striker Henry Martin from Club America.
LAFC face uncertainty amid shortest offseason ever
LAFC are coming off their longest campaign in their history, as they played a grand total of 53 games across all competitions, including reaching the finals of the CONCACAF Champions League and MLS Cup. No other Major League Soccer team has managed to play in two finals in the same season this century.
So, with only 16 players under contract, LAFC were shorthanded when they opened their training camp this week, and there’s growing pressure for them to fill their roster since the 2024 season is less than a month away.
In the past few weeks, LAFC have lost 18 players, such as Giorgio Chiellini, Diego Palacios, Maxime Crepeau, John McCarthy, Kellyn Acosta, and Stipe Biuk.
Although there’s more work to be done, LAFC have tried their best by adding Hugo Lloris from Tottenham, while centre-back Eddie Segura is welcomed back. Moreover, Denis Bouanga, the 2023 Golden Boot winner, is also returning to the squad.
Furthermore, the Black and Gold would also want to bring back Carlos Vela, who is now a free agent. The three-time MLS All-Star was the team’s top playmaker last term, with 13 assists.
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