MLS Experiencing Scoring Surge In 2024

With soccer legends and emerging young stars tearing up the scoresheet in MLS in 2024, goal scoring has risen to historic levels. Currently, the 2024 goals per match average sits at 3.11 in regular season action, which would mark the second-highest average in the league within the past 20 years, behind only 2018 (3.19 per game).

The 3.11 goals per game is almost 0.5 goals per game more than 2023 when matches averaged just 2.76 goals. Additionally, matches have featured several back-and-forth games throughout the year, as highlighted by Matchday 32, which saw three teams come from behind to win – the LA Galaxy, Inter Miami CF, and Minnesota United FC. Approximately 63% of games include a goal scored by both teams and just seven percent of all matches have ended scoreless.

With goal scoring reaching new levels, it has also shined a light on the individual stars that are making MLS thrilling on a weekly basis. In 2024 alone, 27 players have already scored 10 or more goals in the regular season, which is already one player more than all of 2023. Leading the pack for the MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi is D.C. United’s Christian Benteke with 19 goals, followed by Real Salt Lake’s Cristian ‘Chicho’ Arango, LAFC’s Denis Bouanga, and Miami’s Luis Suárez, who have each scored 17 goals so far this season.

New coaches are also playing a significant role as Miami has already set their single-season goal-scoring record, while the Colorado Rapids, Minnesota United, and the Portland Timbers are all on pace to break their own club records. Each of those three teams hired new coaches prior to the start of the year, while Miami’s Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino is in his first full year in charge of the Herons.