US Championship. MLS. Preseason Matches
MLS preseason matches are a series of friendlies where Major League Soccer clubs gear up for the regular season. These games allow tactical fine-tuning, rookie evaluations, and match fitness building. In 2024, teams head to sunny spots like Florida or even Asia, facing European powerhouses and local sides. They set the early tone, spotlighting frontrunners from both Eastern and Western Conferences.
History and foundation
The preseason tradition dates back to MLS's 1996 inception. Early editions featured the Florida Preseason Tournament, where MetroStars crushed Nottingham Forest 5-1 in 2000. The 2010s brought global tours: Inter Miami's 2023 Hong Kong clash with Messi drew 38,000 despite drama. Fun fact — Portland Timbers won the 2019 Disney Pro Soccer Classic over Sporting Kansas City. Sensations abound, like Dwight Gale's hat-trick for LA Galaxy against Bayern Munich in 2007.
Tournament format
Format is fluid: mini-tournaments with 4–8 teams (e.g., Coachella Valley Invitational, Carolina Soccer Classic), standalone friendlies, or 3–5 game tours. Held March–April, 90 minutes with possibles pens. Heavy rotation emphasizes experiments — coaches test bench players and youth. In 2024, Columbus Crew contests Florida Cup vs. Valencia and Schalke. No table impact, but outcomes hint at playoff contenders.
Interesting facts
Scoring averages 3.2 goals per game, fueled by open play sans pressure. Top scorers: Lionel Messi (4 for Inter Miami, 2023), Carlos Vela (7 for LAFC, 2020). Stars shone bright — David Beckham's assist in River Plate derby (2007), Sebastian Giovinco torching Juventus for Toronto. Current standouts: Jose Martinez (Philly), Dennis Bouanga (LAFC), Luka de la Torre. With 10–15k average crowds, these matches forge talent and hype.