A retrospective by GOAL of a turbulent season that was capped off by Inter Miami’s monumental acquisition of the World Cup champion

The MLS season has come to a close with the LAFC hosting the Columbus Crew in a monumental MLS Cup playoff to determine the league champion. After what was arguably the most pivotal season in league history, during which a single major signing turned the entire landscape of U.S. soccer on its head, the victor will reign supreme.

Indeed, this must commence with Lionel Messi, the individual who exclusively altered the league’s course. Despite the fact that it will have been more than a month since we last saw him in pink for Inter Miami prior to the MLS Cup, he continues to dominate the league at the moment.

Both the Los Angeles FC and the New York Crew can consider themselves among the season’s greatest winners, having fought to the championship. Saturday represents a chance for the LAFC to go back-to-back. It is an opportunity for the Crew to win another championship under a different coach, demonstrating that the club’s brand in Ohio remains as strong as ever only a few short years after it came perilously close to extinction.

THE VICTOR: Inter Miami
There may not have been a more dominant winner in international football in 2023 than Inter Miami.

Many regarded Lionel Messi as the greatest football player in history when he arrived in South Florida. Both the sentence and the concept remain difficult to comprehend. Messi determined that his next move after terrorising the rest of the world for so many years was to join MLS, specifically David Beckham’s South Beach development.

Instantaneously, that decision bore fruit on the pitch. The club subsequently won the League Cup during an unprecedentedly thrilling stretch in the history of this league. That stretch alone substantiated the anticipation surrounding Messi’s arrival, and that anticipation will continue into 2024, despite the club narrowly failing to qualify for the MLS Playoffs.

Messi has established his presence and shows no signs of departing in the near future. Inter Miami is currently in a unique position to establish itself as an unrivalled superpower in the history of American football. Regarding the remaining individuals, we shall simply observe what transpires thereafter.
LOSER: Neville Phil

Neville now has another significant position, so please do not feel too bad for him. He will have the opportunity to dispel any doubts by assuming the leadership role of the Portland Timbers heading into the year 2024.

However, during that period, he must have observed the events unfolding in Miami with a certain amount of envy. Neville must have recognised his imminent proximity to winning the jackpot.

Neville, who was dismissed weeks prior to Messi’s arrival, was ultimately responsible for Miami’s failure to qualify for the playoffs due to his sluggish start. MLS at the time, Miami was the worst-performing team, and Neville oversaw that decline.

Nonetheless, one must ponder what Neville might have accomplished if he had been in charge of a Messi-led Miami rather than Tata Martino. It is more accurate to say that the squad he was entrusted with differs significantly from the one Martino inherited, due to the absence of Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, and Sergio Busquets from the former.

It is safe to say that Neville’s tenure in Miami was less than ideal, as the Herons were unable to gain traction due to roster restrictions and league sanctions. Now, Neville will have the opportunity to showcase his abilities in Portland; if things continue to deteriorate as they did on South Beach, it could be his last chance at a high-profile position.
OCCUPANT: MLS/Apple
In general, the inaugural year of this collaboration between Apple and MLS could not have been more successful.

Almost all of this is due to Messi’s presence in the league, as the Argentine’s presence in American football will benefit all parties involved. As an increasing tide raises all vessels, the arrival of Lionel Messi represents a tidal wave that propels American football to unprecedented heights.

There has never been more international interest in the league, but now is the time to capitalise on that. An enormous amount will be determined by how MLS utilises Messi’s arrival. Is the league relinquishing its efforts to refine and advance, or will owners be satisfied with capitalising on this transient advantage?

Apple utilised Major League Soccer (MLS) as a test subject for a novel form of sports agreement. Everything has gone well in year one, once more because of Messi. We do not know to what extent Apple will be pleased with the return at this time, but it is safe to say that the excitement and content generated by that one diminutive Argentine is sufficient to justify the cost of this agreement.

That once more brings us to the pivotal inquiry: what comes next? With Messi’s participation and Apple’s support, MLS is now well positioned to make a significant move. To what extent will that transition span? We will discover the answer in due course.