Sunday Scroll: Things are about to get Messi

Let’s start with a quick refresher on the league setup: The 30 MLS clubs, including new expansion team San Diego FC, are split into the 15-team Eastern and Western Conferences.

• Each squad will play 34 regular-season games (that’s once or twice a week until October’s postseason). They face each of their conference rivals at least twice, plus a handful of non-conference opponents.

• At first, almost all matches will kick off on Saturdays or Sundays. But as the season reaches the halfway point in mid-May, the league starts to sprinkle in mid-week matches, too. More footy, more fun.

While the franchise with the best regular-season record across both conferences will earn the Supporters’ Shield, a team’s main objective is to secure a playoff berth.

• Nine teams from each conference will fight their way through a complicated playoff format for a shot at the ultimate prize: the MLS Cup.

• Of note, unlike most pro men’s soccer leagues around the world, MLS doesn’t have a promotion and relegation system. As a result, low-performing teams aren’t in danger of being relegated to a lower league, which can affect the level of competition and how clubs plan for the future.

🌃 LA Galaxy: Even those who don’t watch soccer have likely heard of this club thanks to Mr. Posh Spice’s David Beckham’s time there from 2007 to 2012. But they’re also the league’s most accomplished team, adding a record sixth title to their star collection last season. Despite losing 2024 MVP candidate Riqui Puig to an ACL tear, the Galaxy are strong candidates for a repeat.

🌴 Inter Miami: This is MLS’ other most well-known club because of one singular superstar: Lionel Messi, aka the GOAT, who put Miami (and, for many, the league at large) on the map. He led the Herons to the Supporters’ Shield last season, but they suffered a stunning first-round upset in the playoffs. Will a new-look coaching staff be what Miami needs to seal the deal this year?

🐂 NY Red Bulls: After last year’s Cinderella run to the MLS Cup, much of the Red Bulls’ core returns to make another magical playoff run, filling out a roster that remains one of the league’s youngest. Red Bull may give you wings, and if all goes according to plan, it could give NY wins, too.

👪 Columbus Crew: Consistently one of the league’s best squads, Columbus is led by reigning Coach of the Year Wilfried Nancy and cheered for by America’s boyfriend. They suffered a brutal offseason loss when forward Cucho Hernández left for Spain’s LaLiga, but they still boast a top-notch defense, and you know what they say about winning championships…

🌊 Colorado Rapids: The Rapids have been on the verge of greatness for a few seasons, but they’ll need an extra boost to reach the elite strata of MLS teams. Without any splashy trades this offseason, a refined strategy will hopefully take them to the next level. If they can crack the code, consider Colorado a major dark horse.

🌞 San Diego FC: MLS’ newest squad is brimming with potential, even if their kits are truly terrible. The expansion squad’s first-ever opponent? The reigning champ Galaxy, today at 7 p.m. ET. Talk about a baptism by fire.

Lionel Messi, Inter Miami: Arguably the greatest soccer player of all time and most famous athlete on the planet, it’s hard to describe just how massive Messi’s impact on the league has been since joining in 2023. He’s the Michael Jordan of soccer, the reigning league MVP, and he looks great in pink.

Christian Benteke, D.C. United: Despite his club’s lackluster 2024 performance, Benteke shone as the Golden Boot winner — aka the top regular-season goalscorer — with 23 golazos. D.C. has big hopes to make the playoffs this year, and Benteke is the centerpiece of that master plan.

Steven Moreira, Columbus Crew: As mentioned, the Crew has one of the league’s best defenses, and Moreira is at the heart of it. He’s a key ingredient as Columbus seeks redemption for their early 2024 playoff exit.

Kristijan Kahlina, Charlotte FC: The reigning Goalkeeper of the Year is a certified brick wall. He finished last season tied for first in the league in shutouts (12) and led MLS in save percentage (75.63%). He’s also the first Croatian player to earn an individual MLS end-of-year award. Impressive.

Evander, FC Cincinnati: Beyoncé, Madonna, Drake, Prince…all the biggest divas go by a single name, and mononymous Evander joined that club last October when he, as mentioned, started drama with his old squad, the Portland Timbers. He was a candidate for MVP last season and will hopefully keep up the momentum for his new squad.

For the third straight season, every match will be available on Apple TV+ through MLS Season Pass. To sweeten the deal, Season Pass is a treasure trove for MLS enthusiasts — it includes exclusive content, an archive of the league’s best games, drone stadium tours, and much more.

No subscription? No problem. Select matches will be available for free on Apple TV+ throughout the season, while Fox will carry some games in English and Spanish. T-Mobile is also providing all of its U.S. customers with a free subscription to MLS Season Pass, and DirecTV subscriptions include a free trial ending March 1st. So many options.

• Watching from the Great White North? TSN and RDS will have Canadian fans covered with TV broadcasts. Literally can’t wait.