The new Major League Soccer season got underway this week with Lionel Messi leading Inter Miami to victory on opening night.

The World Cup winner was instrumental as Tata Martino’s side kicked off the 2024 campaign with a 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake.

Miami is the heavy favorite for this year’s MLS Cup after adding Luis Suarez to a roster that already included Messi, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

But there are plenty of teams planning to spoil the party in South Florida as they embark on the 2024 season.

Here, DailyMail.com gives six other reasons why the return of MLS is so exciting. 

All of MLS will be tasked with stopping Messi-Mania as one of the best takes over America

All of MLS will be tasked with stopping Messi-Mania as one of the best takes over America

HUGO LLORIS STARTS JOURNEY WITH LAFC 

Arguably the best goalkeeper in the world at one time joined LAFC from Tottenham this offseason after a dozen years with Spurs. 

He immediately becomes Major League Soccer’s most recognizable player worldwide that does not play for Inter Miami. 

The now-37-year-old Lloris only signed a one-year contract with LAFC, but has options to extend to a second season and beyond. 

Lloris’ credentials are matched by few in the MLS – he’s a World Cup winner, he has competed in a Champions League Final, and has captained the French national team for a decade. 

Messi may, understandably, seize center stage when it comes to the stars of MLS but Lloris is a massively exciting addition in his own right. Lloris and LAFC start on Saturday against Seattle Sounders.

Hugo Lloris signed with LAFC a few months ago and is arguably MLS' biggest star not in Miami

Hugo Lloris signed with LAFC a few months ago and is arguably MLS’ biggest star not in Miami

WILL THE RED BULLS FINALLY FIND THEIR WINGS? 

For an original MLS franchise that has never missed a league season, the Red Bulls’ trophy case is bare. 

Three Supporter’s Shields and two appearances in MLS Cup have led to zero championships for New York since 1996. 

Now Sandro Schwarz takes over at Red Bull Arena, having never coached or played professionally in America. And Emil Forsberg comes to the MLS after his tenure with RB Leipzig. 

Schwarz is a former protege of departing Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp at German side Mainz. They played together before Klopp became the coach of the team and Schwarz had 80 appearances under the man that would go and lead Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool to success.

‘Sandro was my teammate for years,’ Klopp told German publication Kicker in 2018.

‘Then after I took charge of the club until we got promoted back to the Bundesliga, he was a really important player in my team. Sandro was always a fighter, a leader, someone who really lived for Mainz.’

If he can replicate any of the success of his former manager, that would spell good things for the Red Bulls, who start the season Sunday at Nashville.

Germany's Sandro Schwarz has taken over as head coach of New York Red Bulls

Germany’s Sandro Schwarz has taken over as head coach of New York Red Bulls 

PHIL NEVILLE LANDS WITH PORTLAND TIMBERS 

Neville was fired from Inter Miami in June, by his old United teammate-turned-boss David Beckham with the team last in the Eastern Conference. Weeks later, Messi joined Inter Miami.

Now, the former Manchester United star leads the Portland Timbers with a shot at redemption

Neville could have been coaching a star-studded roster featuring Messi, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Luis Suarez. Instead, he must get the best out of Eryk Williamson, Diego Chara and Co.

Neville is a household name in soccer, but he has had limited success as a manager. 

His stint with the Timbers feels like a huge chance to improve his standing. If it does not go well in Portland, it could be Neville’s last coaching opportunity in MLS. 

Neville’s season starts Saturday at home to Colorado Rapids. 

Phil Neville, the former Inter Miami and England women's team manager, is now in Portland

Phil Neville, the former Inter Miami and England women’s team manager, is now in Portland

ARE THE COLORADO RAPIDS ON THE RISE? 

Chris Armas has another chance to lead an MLS team, after failed attempts with the Red Bulls and Toronto FC. 

After time with Manchester United and Leeds United as a No 2 in England, Armas now has an opportunity to make a mark as the main man once again.

Armas had a tough time in England, with the United squad reportedly nicknaming him ‘Ted Lasso’ due to feeling unconvinced by his methods while coaching the team during Ralf-Rangnick’s ill-fated tenure. 

He joined up with fellow American Jesse Marsch at Leeds last season. Marsch was fired before the 2022-23 campaign ended, and Leeds were later relegated.

Armas arrives in Colorado with the only way seemingly up. The former club of DailyMail.com columnist Tim Howard finished in last place in the Western Conference last season. 

Yet, the team has reloaded and looks to be headed in the right direction, with USA goalkeeper Zack Steffen and attacking midfielder Djordje Mihailovic two eye-catching additions who are now on the roster. 

Zack Steffen was one of the last cuts from the United States' 2022 World Cup team in Qatar

Zack Steffen was one of the last cuts from the United States’ 2022 World Cup team in Qatar

ST. LOUIS CITY SC STARTS SEASON NO 2 

For the first time since the 2016 season, Major League Soccer is not adding an expansion team and will instead keep the current roster of 29 franchises.  

That will not be the case for 2025, when San Diego FC joins the fold. 

The league’s newest team, St. Louis, was the No 1 seed in the Western Conference a year ago and will look to replicate that success. They start against Real Salt Lake, who head into that game off the back of the midweek 2-0 loss to Inter Miami.

St. Louis had a ton of success in year No 1 as MLS' newest team and is looking to achieve more

St. Louis had a ton of success in year No 1 as MLS’ newest team and is looking to achieve more

USA STARS EYE COPA AMERICA 

A tremendous opportunity exists for American MLS players to prove themselves during the first half of the season, before Gregg Berhalter selects his squad for this summer’s Copa America which is taking place in the United States for the second time.

While players like Christian Pulisic and Matt Turner are locks to be called up, some that play club soccer Stateside can play their way into camp. 

Every single player that received a call-up to the USMNT January camp plays in MLS. 

Over the next few months, look for Steffen to make a resurgence, DeAndre Yedlin to have one last charge at 30 with the national team now that he’s teammates with Messi. Same goes for the other end of the age spectrum, with 18-year-old Miami prospect Benjamin Cremaschi. 

FC Dallas’ Jesus Ferreira will look to regain his starting striker position, with Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi also fighting for that spot. 

Miami's Benjamin Cremaschi could be a part of the USMNT for this summer's Copa America

Miami’s Benjamin Cremaschi could be a part of the USMNT for this summer’s Copa America

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Post source: Daily mail

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