🔮 OneFootball predicts the 2025 MLS season | OneFootball

MLS is officially back this weekend and we could not be more excited. Plenty of teams have splashed the cash this offseason as they look to challenge for the ultimate prize in American soccer, and even more change has been afoot around the league.

Ahead of the campaign, OneFootball's North American content team has made their official predictions regarding MLS Cup winners, golden boot, and more!

What is your craziest prediction for the season?

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Adam Booker: Leo Messi and Inter Miami will not finish in the top-four in the Eastern Conference.

Emily Wilson: MLS' new expansion team, San Diego FC, will finish mid-table.

Andrew Thompson: Toronto FC will finally end their painful run without post-season action and reach the MLS Cup playoffs.

Who will finish as the league's top-scorer?

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Adam Booker: Emmanuel Latte-Lath (Atlanta United). The new MLS record signing will have the platform to bag tons of goals with a lot of talent behind creating chances. He should be worth every penny.

Emily Wilson: Messi (Inter Miami). We're all thinking it, so I'll say it. The little boy from Rosario will continue to light up the league. How can you deny him?

Andrew Thompson: Coming off a credible 2024 (10 goals) and improving year on year, Patrick Agyemang (Charlotte FC) could be the surprise package for a club pushing for a top-four place.

Who will win MLS MVP?

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Adam Booker: Kévin Denkey

Emily Wilson: Lionel Messi

Andrew Thompson: Evander

Who will win the MLS Wooden Spoon? (Finish bottom of the league)

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Adam Booker: D.C. United. They just simply haven't done enough to improve after finishing 10th last season, while most of their rivals have improved.

Emily Wilson: Canadians everywhere will see their heads hang low with Toronto FC finishing bottom of the barrel. 2017 seems like so long ago.

Andrew Thompson: A potentially massive hot-take, but New England. The worst attacking (and defending) side in the Eastern Conference last season has a ton of work to do to avoid a similar if not worse fate.

Who will win the Eastern Conference?

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Adam Booker: FC Cincinnati. It would be easy to go with Inter Miami or Atlanta United, but Cincinnati have seemingly improved their squad even with some high-profile departures. They should be more consistent than any other side this season.

Emily Wilson: I will echo Adam's thoughts here and say FC Cincinnati. They almost had the formula down last season (11). They have an honest chance if they can get rid of some of those obscure losses. Plus, the Evander-Denkey set up? Watch out.

Andrew Thompson: I'm going to remain in the Inter Miami camp here. Another full campaign featuring the Messi-Suárez duopoly with their former Barça supporting cast, along with a deep bench, should still be able to stand the test of time, for now.

Who will win the Western Conference?

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Adam Booker: It's looking more and more likely to be LAFC, due in large part to the the Galaxy being weakened by injuries and key departures. LAFC should reign supreme in the west once again.

Emily Wilson: Ignore the sides from LA, it's time to acknowledge the development at Real Salt Lake. With another season under their belt, this group could go all the way in 2025. Last season they had the fewest losses in the West (third across MLS) and only fell five points short. Someone has to topple the LA dominance and they're true contenders!

Andrew Thompson: Despite losing Mateusz Bogusz and Cristian Olivera, the acquisition of Norwegian midfielder Odin Thiago Holm and a pending move for Türkiye international Cengiz Ünder should be enough to keep the LAFC train on schedule.

Who will win the Supporters Shield?

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Adam Booker: FC Cincinnati

Emily Wilson: FC Cincinnati

Andrew Thompson: LAFC

Finally, who will win MLS Cup?

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Adam Booker: Atlanta United. While I had Cincinnati for the other major honors, I think Atlanta will be too much of a force in the Benz come playoff time. We may see shades of their 2018 run to the final.

Emily Wilson: I don't like it when table-toppers don't win other respective domestic titles, so because of that, I'm going follow suit with my Eastern Conference choice and say FC Cincinnati. But the 'magic of the Cup' and all, so who knows!

Andrew Thompson: As I mentioned before, it's hard to look past Inter Miami. It almost feels inevitable as they come in fresh, but more importantly, Messi has a history of standing tall when the chips are down. After disappointment in 2024, that may be all the motivation he needs.

What do you think of our predictions? Make yours in the comments!

📸 Kevork Djansezian - 2024 Getty Images