MLS 2025 predictions: Early picks to win the MLS Cup ahead of the new season
The much-anticipated 2025 Major League Soccer season is finally upon us, and all eyes are on how the LA Galaxy, the MLS Cup 2024 winners, will perform. Will they come out swinging, or will this be the year that Lionel Messi and his teammates at Inter Miami CF establish a foundation for a championship season?
Inter Miami CF, who lost to Atlanta United in the first round of the MLS playoffs last season, have been actively working to strengthen their roster. The addition of key players, including defender Gonzalo Lujan and goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo, under the new leadership of head coach Javier Mascherano, has raised high hopes for the Herons this season.
The LA Galaxy, fresh off their sixth MLS Cup victory, are looking to start the season strong despite the absence of their star midfielder, Riqui Puig. His absence due to an ACL tear suffered during the Western Conference final against the Seattle Sounders is a significant blow, and the team will need others to step up in his absence.
Here are the early predictions on who can win it all heading into the 2025 MLS season.
Early 2025 MLS Cup predictions
ESPN: Inter Miami wins MLS Cup
Luis Miguel Echegaray writes: "Maybe it's the romantic in me, but I think this is the season in which Inter Miami CF and Lionel Messi win MLS Cup. In many ways, it has to happen because time is running out for the Argentine and the Herons. Messi, who will turn 38 in June, is under contract until the end of the 2025 season, and even though co-owner Jorge Mas fully expects that the World Cup champion will agree to an extension, we simply don't know. It's up to Messi. In terms of this season, I think they get it done."
MLS: Expects favor Inter Miami CF
- Osvaldo Alonso: FC Cincinnati
- Matt Doyle: Inter Miami CF
- Miguel Gallardo: Inter Miami CF
- Michele Giannone: Atlanta United
- Antonella Gonzalez: Inter Miami CF
- Sacha Kljestan: LAFC
- Kaylyn Kyle: LAFC
- Dax McCarty: FC Cincinnati
- Giovanni Savarese: LAFC
- Bradley Wright-Phillips: Inter Miami CF
Sports Illustrated: Inter Miami CF favorites in the Eastern Conference
Staff writes: "While some doubt could be cast upon Javier Mascherano’s first MLS campaign as head coach, this team is simply too good to fail. Messi comes off an MVP campaign where he scored 20 goals and 16 assists in just 19 games while rarely in full health. The Argentine number 10 is just the peak of a star group that also includes Luis Suarez, who also scored 20 goals, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba. The Barcelona boys would likely still be enough, but the Herons also bring back key pieces in Benjamin Cremaschi, Robert Taylor, and goalkeeper Drake Callender. After setting a regular season points record of 74 in 2024 and crashing out of the MLS Cup Playoffs, this Miami team will seek revenge amid a busy season featuring a midsummer FIFA Club World Cup."
MLS Opening weekend schedule
All times Eastern.
Saturday, Feb. 22:
- LAFC vs. Minnesota United FC at 4:30 p.m. on FOX and Apple TV+
- Atlanta United FC vs. CF Montreal at 7:30 p.m. on Apple TV+
- Columbus Crew vs. Chicago Fire FC at 7:30 p.m. on MLS Season Pass
- D.C. United vs. Toronto FC at 7:30 p.m. on MLS Season Pass
- F.C. Cincinnati vs. New York Red Bulls at 7:30 p.m. on Apple TV+
- Inter Miami CF vs. New York City FC at 7:30 p.m. on Apple TV+
- Orlando City SC vs. Philadelphia Union at 7:30 p.m. on MLS Season Pass
- Austin FC vs. Sporting Kansas City at 8:30 p.m. on MLS Season Pass
- Houston Dynamo FC vs. FC Dallas at 8:30 p.m. on MLS Season Pass
- Nashville SC vs. New England Revolution at 8:30 p.m. on MLS Season Pass
- St. Louis CITY SC vs. Colorado Rapids at 8:30 p.m. on Apple TV+
- San Jose Earthquakes vs. Real Salt Lake at 10:30 p.m. on MLS Season Pass
- Seattle Sounders FC vs. Charlotte FC at 10:30 p.m. on MLS Season Pass
Sunday, Feb, 23:
- Portland Timbers vs. Vancouver Whitecaps at 4 p.m. on Apple TV+
- LA Galaxy vs. San Diego FC at 7 p.m. on Apple TV+
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