Players to Watch in 2024 MLS
Carson Lantz brings you a list of selected players to watch throughout the upcoming 2024 MLS season.
With the 2024 season just weeks away I thought to myself what players I want to keep an eye on for the year so I decided to select some players and let my Twitter community pick some.
8. Josh Cohen ( Atlanta United )
Josh Cohen, the latest addition to the Atlanta United roster and former collegiate goalkeeper for UC San Diego. After spending the last five years in Israel with Maccabi Haifa, Cohen is making a return to the United States. With over a hundred appearances for Haifa, including standout performances in the UEFA Champions League, where he made five saves and kept a clean sheet against Juventus, Josh brings an impressive track record.
Although Cohen is expected to be the new starting keeper for Atlanta don’t forget that he is battling with Brad Guzan which is going to be a good battle to keep an eye out for. I’m super excited to see Josh Cohen in the MLS this season!
7. Miki Yamane ( LA Galaxy )
Introducing Miki Yamane, the latest addition to the LA Galaxy roster. Hailing from Japan, this 30-year-old right back joins from Kawasaki Frontale, a top team in the Japanese J.1 League.
Miki is bringing with him international experience as he has made 16 appearances for the Japan national team with 1 of those being at the 2022 World Cup.
I expect Miki to make a great impact on the Galaxy as they have managed to get their hands on an experienced outside back. Given his competition is Mauricio Cuevas, Miki is looking to secure a spot in the starting 11 seamlessly. Let’s keep an eye on Miki Yamane as he looks to shine in the MLS, just as he did back home in Japan. Exciting times ahead for the Galaxy!
6. Evander ( Portland Timbers )
Now, let’s talk about Evander, the dynamic attacking midfielder embarking on his second season with the Portland Timbers. In a notable move, Portland secured Evander’s talents for a fee of $10 million from Danish side Midtjylland in 2022, and since then, he has proven to be a stellar addition to the Timbers’ roster.
Evander has shown lots of promise in his first season for the Timbers as he racked up an impressive 11 goals and 4 assists in 29 matches! Evander has only shown a glimpse of how good he can be in the MLS and I fully expect him to lead the Timbers back into the playoffs.
In the words of Portland Timbers fan Luukas Ojala, “Honestly one of the things I’m most excited about as a Timbers fan is watching Evander come out of his shell. In his first season, he looked uncomfortable, but now he has a season under his belt and a coach who wants to build around him. I think Evander will put on a show in his second season.”
5. Alexandru Matan ( Columbus Crew )
Entering the spotlight is Alexandru Matan, the Romanian Maestro who had an impressive 2023 season. He helped lead the Crew to become the 2023 MLS champions! On the way though he managed to pick up 2 goals and 9 assists. Matan has an eye for creating and setting up his teammates for goals, with multiple teammates with a knack for goal around him I expect him to surpass the total of 9 assists. It’ll be interesting to see how impactful he’ll be this season.
Get Carson Lantz’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
What got me last season was how Matan stepped up, especially when the main man Lucas Zelarayan left for Al Fateh FC midway through. I expect Alexandru to continue to elevate his game even more this season as the Crew are looking to defend their title.
4. Sam Surridge ( Nashville FC )
Sam Surridge is the next name up. This may be a controversial pick for some, but I’m confident that with a full season under his belt, he can shine for Nashville. The English striker, lining up next to MLS star Hany Mukhtar, could be a huge benefit to Surridge. Although he had chances to showcase his quality, starting 8 out of 11 games and only scoring 2 goals in the 2023 season, his numbers could have been worse for a 25-year-old coming to a new country to play football.
Surridge is currently in the learning phase, benefiting from the wealth of talent around him that is sure to benefit his development as a player. So, be sure to keep a close eye on Sam Surridge, as all the signs point toward a potential breakout player in 2024. His journey is one to watch, and it might just unfold into a captivating story of growth and success. Which could see him taking himself back to Europe.
3. Jack McGlynn ( Philadelphia Union )
Jack McGlynn, the 20-year-old midfielder who plays for the Philadelphia Union, is someone I anticipate will finally become a consistent starter for the Union in the midfield and lead the team. McGlynn has already taken the league by storm and can only get better.
Jack has already put together quite a resume for the Union, boasting 96 appearances for the club. Let’s not forget that Jack is also a regular for the USA under 20s, with 23 appearances. Additionally, he played a leadership role for the US in their run in the U20 World Cup, reaching the knockouts.
Jack is definitely one to watch, especially as Philadelphia aims to prove themselves and secure that MLS Cup they’re hungry for. Keep your eyes on this young lad; he could be a key player in their pursuit of success.
2. Djordje Mihalovic ( Colorado Rapids )
While Djordje Mihailovic’s European stint may not have panned out as expected, he’s proven his dominance in the MLS with notable performances for teams like Chicago Fire and CF Montreal. Now, with a point to prove, he aims to lead the Rapids back to contention in the Western Conference.
Reflecting on Djordje’s standout seasons in 2021 and 2022 at CF Montreal under head coach Thierry Henry is enlightening. Across 63 appearances, he tallied an impressive 15 goals and 19 assists. The question now lingers: Can he replicate this outstanding form and guide Colorado to glory? All eyes are on Djordje Mihailovic as he embarks on this new chapter with the Rapids.
- Diego Luna ( Real Salt Lake )
Diego “Moon Boy” Luna has everyone’s attention this season, as fans eagerly anticipate whether the Dutch Bro’s Barista can dominate and lead Real Salt Lake. The star player had a promising first full season with the club, making 26 appearances and contributing 7 goals and 1 assist in the MLS season.
Luna’s ascent continues as he remains a regular for the USA U20 team, and his recent call-up to the first team in the January camp is a testament to his growing influence. With these achievements, I expect Diego Luna to have a breakout season for the claret and cobalt, potentially paving the way for a move to Europe soon.
