From Messi's hunt for glory to negotiating a bigger field, GOAL looks at some of the biggest storylines to follow during MLS playoffs

So, the MLS playoffs are here. After eight months of soccer – punctuated by a month-long tournament in the middle – the bit that really matters has arrived. Including the play-in fixtures for each conference, 18 teams are still alive – and have a chance at silverware.

There are certainly favorites to be found, with all eyes on Inter Miami as Lionel Messi takes on the playoffs for the first time. Meanwhile, Columbus Crew seem to have a pretty good chance to repeat, and LA Galaxy – fearsome attack and all – could make a run.

Still, there are other storylines too, with a controversial format entering it second year, and plenty of other teams looking to spring an upset and make challenges of their own.

From Messi's hunt for glory to negotiating a bigger field, GOAL looks at some of the biggest storylines to follow during MLS playoffs….

Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowgettyCan Messi lift Miami to a first MLS Cup?

First, the obvious one. Let's be clear, most eyes globally are going to be on the next month or so to see if the Argentine can win it all.

His American trophy cabinet is already looking pretty impressive. Messi won the Leagues Cup to open his Miami tenure and followed that with a Supporters Shield triumph in late September. There is also an outside chance that he wins MLS MVP – although Cucho Hernandez is the clear favorite (Messi perhaps hasn't played enough minutes to make a real case.)

So, MLS Cup remains the final frontier for him. It won't be an easy month. The playoffs are a real grind, with heavy travel and packed schedules. They're not really set up for a 37-year-old to carry a team. Still, if there's anything left in those legs – there probably is – then it will make for fascinating watching.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesAre the Galaxy back?

Yes? Maybe? Probably?

In all honesty, the Galaxy haven't been a properly good team since Robbie Keane led them to a Western Conference win in 2014. Since then, a series of poor signings and underwhelming campaigns have seen a historically great franchise languish in the tier below real contention.

But this season, it all seems to have come together. Riqui Puig has finally shaken off the cobwebs of the Barcelona reject that he entered the league as. Gabriel Pec has been one of the best players in the league – and certainly has newcomer of the year wrapped up. Marco Reus, not too bad at this sport himself, will give them an extra edge.

Last minute drama on Decision Day might have cost them the Western Conference title, but this is really about the big one. And the Galaxy are arguably the strongest team in the West. There are certainly concerns about their defense – which has looked very vulnerable in transition. But they have the kind of attacking quality that could render those irrelevant.

USA Today ImagesWilfried Nancy's last dance (maybe)

Let's face it: Nancy really should be snapped up by a European club next season. He's not the only reason The Crew have dominated for the last two years – their recruitment has been excellent. But he's the center of it all, and has pieced together a team that can beat anyone on its day. Cucho Hernandez really win MVP, while they have the kind of depth to frighten the rest of the league.

And it showed last season, when the Crew rather strolled to an MLS Cup win. Most of the key pieces – plus a couple of big additions – from that squad have remained, and even though the rest of the league seems to have strengthened around them, the Crew should be considered among the favorites to repeat. It would be a wonderful way for Nancy to leave – if he is indeed snapped up.

USA Today ImagesWho can play spoiler?

In 2023, St. Louis City SC won the Western Conference regular season on the back of a dominant first season in the league. What they lacked in outright star power, they made up for in a well-constructed side. A soccer city, it seemed, had a real shot at MLS Cup in its inaugural season.

Things didn't go that way, of course, and they were bounced in the first round of playoffs by Kansas City. That was a proper upset. This year, there doesn't seem to be much room for anything of that magnitude. But there are some pesky lower seeds that could create problems. Minnesota, for one, have been in fine form of late. Meanwhile, FC Cincinnati, led by the in-form Lucho Acosta, might be a true contender as a No.3 seed. There won't be any easy games here, and there's plenty of scope for outsiders to make some noise.