The 2024 MLS Eastern Conference featured 15 teams competing for playoff positions from February through October. Inter Miami CF finished as the top seed with a record-breaking 74 points, clinching the Supporters' Shield for the best regular season record across both conferences. Columbus Crew secured second place, followed by FC Cincinnati in third.
The Eastern Conference playoff picture saw intense competition for the final spots, with teams like Orlando City SC, Charlotte FC, New York City FC, and Atlanta United battling for postseason positioning. The top seven teams from each conference qualified for the MLS Cup Playoffs, with the higher seeds receiving home-field advantage in the single-elimination format that began in 2024.
Notable storylines included Inter Miami's dominant season led by Lionel Messi, Columbus Crew's strong title defense campaign, and several teams making significant improvements from their 2023 performances. The Eastern Conference continued to demonstrate the competitive balance that has become a hallmark of Major League Soccer.