Decision Day 2024 provided us with loads of drama, as it always does. We saw records get broken, dramatic collapses, and derby day curses. Let’s dig into some of the biggest stories from the evening that was.
The greats are greats for a reason
When you have players like Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez in your back pocket, your ceiling in MLS is limitless.
By thrashing New England and wrapping up the new points record Saturday evening in south Florida, Inter Miami proved once again that starpower carries you over the line when the stakes are at their highest.
While Suárez had already bagged two before Messi’s introduction just before the hour mark, the Argentine’s impact was what blew the doors off of the affair, scoring a hat-trick in 11 minutes.
MLS’ calling card is its week-by-week parity, but when Tata Martino can bring an all-time great off the bench to turn an nervy affair into a blowout, it spells bad news for whoever is standing in Miami’s way come playoff time.
Seattle’s derby curse at Lumen still lingers
The Sounders’ fourth place finish in the Western Conference is a testament to the phenomenal turnaround they pulled off in the back-half of the campaign. But one obstacle remains, they just can’t treat their home fans to a win on derby day.
It felt like just another one of those nights for the hosts, as some heroic defending and goalkeeping from the Timbers perhaps stole a comfortable win right out from underneath Brian Schmetzer’s side.
It’s now seven years since the last Sounders win at home against their bitter rivals from the south, and even some all-time greats are feeling the brunt of the history.
Raul Ruidiaz leaves the Sounders having never beaten the Portland Timbers at home. #RCTID
— Jeremy Peterman (@SportsGuyJeremy) October 20, 2024
Despite that lousy recent history, they could have a chance to right all of those wrongs in the playoffs if the two survive a round or two. If they do go head-to-head in the postseason, the titanic tussle will be at Lumen Field.
The Galaxy are still shaking off the ‘big club’ rust
It seemed to be smooth sailing for Greg Vanney’s side in the late summer as they cruised towards a first place finish in the Western Conference — a spot in the standings the club feels they belong each season.
But despite getting all the way to the 11th minute of stoppage time still in the top-spot, a late dagger from Houston to knock the SoCal side back down in fourth at the expense of their rivals LAFC was a reminder that they are still learning to fight through the biggest moments of the season.
The Galaxy’s firepower is more than strong enough to potentially cruise to a conference final berth, but should they get there they will have to shake off the naive defensive moments we see from time to time.
Those moments may be fine in April and May, but in October they will spell an end to your season.
Goals win you games, but defense saves your season
Outside of Miami’s historic evening in south Florida, the talking point of Decision Day was the dramatic race for the final two playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.
D.C. United came into the weekend needing just a point to fend off Philadelphia and Atlanta for one of the two wildcard spots, but Christian Benteke and his mates got smacked around by Charlotte for 90 minutes, losing their coveted playoff spot on goal difference.
Troy Lesesne’s side may have had the golden boot winner leading the line, but after conceding 70 goals in 34 games, it was clear that keeping the ball out of their own net was what sees them hit the beach.
DC United’s new coach & GM seem genuinely adept & on track to build something good in the long run.
But DAMN, the club have made their supporters suffer in a variety of creative ways over the past couple decades. Tonight: a faceplant at home vs an opponent w/ a 4-8-4 away record
— Charles Boehm (@cboehm) October 20, 2024
Atlanta may have been missing some of that classic Five Stripes spark throughout most of the season, but having conceded 21 less goals than D.C. United, their strong spine ultimately rescued the campaign.
The Columbus clutch gene is going strong heading into the playoffs
We’ve seen it countless times with the Columbus Crew. They dominate large stretches of games but allow opponents to find their way back into things with poorly timed mistakes.
Yet they alway seem to find a way to get just what they need from a game when it matters most. Whether it’s Cucho Hernandez, Diego Rossi, or any of the smartly-assembled supporting cast, Wilfried Nancy’s side are the hosts of the late, late show on a regular basis.
They did it once again at the weekend as Malte Amundsen popped up from defense in the seventh minuted of added time to fire home a late winner to ensure the Crew head into the playoffs on a high.
No matter the score, no matter the occasion, you just can’t count this side out until the final whistle hits the referee’s lips.