The 2024 USL Championship Playoffs presented by Terminix kick off this weekend, but for some clubs it’s already time to look ahead to the offseason. In the Championship’s Eastern Conference, the playoff race went down to the final day of the regular season, but now we have four clubs preparing to figure out the road ahead.

Here’s our look at where things didn’t quite go right for the four teams that won’t be in the postseason in the East, and where there could be room for optimism moving forward.

Birmingham Legion FC

Where it went wrong: Legion missed the postseason for the first time in club history as its slow starts and struggles against in-conference opposition saw their playoff bid come up short. Birmingham scored only four goals in the opening half-hour of games – and only 14 in the first half overall, third-fewest in the league – while conceding 13 times in the opening half-hour and 21 times in the first half overall. That left it regularly playing from behind, where the side was able to gain 13 points from losing positions over the course of the season, but in terms of sustainability it left a lot to be desired.

The side was also generally unimpressive against its fellow Eastern Conference rivals, recording only six wins – beating both Miami FC and the Tampa Bay Rowdies twice, and Detroit City FC and Loudoun United FC once apiece – to end with a 6-13-3 in-conference record. While Legion kept itself afloat with a stellar 7-2-3 record against the Western Conference, gaining more points than it did against the East, it wasn’t enough to get over the line.

Why there’s room for optimism: Individually, some of Legion’s players had excellent top-line and underlying numbers. Center back Alex Crognale graded out as the best center back in the Championship in American Soccer Analysis’ Goals Added metric at a +7.99 rating, and eight players recorded at least a +4.00 rating overall. That included breakout performer Kobe Hernandez-Foster (+6.45) and veteran attacker Enzo Martinez (+6.45). It feels like there are enough pieces here to attempt continuity with a more sharply focused plan of action in place.

Hartford Athletic

Where it went wrong: Hartford Athletic’s grand rebuild under Head Coach Brendan Burke almost delivered a first postseason appearance since 2020, but ultimately the side’s early-season profligacy in front of goal ended up costing them at the back end of the season. Athletic ended up with 39 goals on an Expected Goals mark of 43.58xG – not close to the worst underperformance in the league – but that gap narrowed strongly late in the season. Between the start of the season and the end of August, Hartford had 24 goals on a 32.32xG mark, which in some instances was the difference between a win and a draw, or a draw and a loss.

It wasn’t helped by a defense that at times was propped up by goalkeeper Renan Ribeiro. Hartford conceded 52 goals in the regular season on an Expected Goals Against mark of 52.82xGA, a sign that overall, the side got what it deserved in the defensive third. If the team is going to progress in the Eastern Conference next season, that number is going to have to tighten up.

Why there’s room for optimism: While Hartford ultimately came up short of its goal of reaching the playoffs, the turnaround from a disastrous 2023 campaign was evident. The Athletic delivered a 26-point increase year-on-year and by the end of the season the side was showing where it could be headed next. Excluding the final game of the season, which became a wash before kickoff as Athletic were mathematically eliminated, Hartford took 14 points from its final seven games of the campaign. Mamadou Dieng emerged as the big attacking talent Hartford believed it was adding with 12 goals on the season, and there were other positives, including Ribeiro putting himself in the picture for postseason honors with a -5.35 Goals Prevented mark and 102 saves, which tied for the league lead.

Loudoun United FC

Where it went wrong: Loudoun United FC was in position for its first postseason berth in club history until the final month of the season. At that point, unfortunately, its attack started drawing blanks, suffering its first three-game scoreless streak since the 2021 season as it lost three of its last four games to come up just short of the playoffs. In the big picture, that was almost the story of the season for United, as its lack of execution at key moments ended up coming back to haunt the side in the end.

On its overall metrics, Loudoun probably should have been in the playoffs. It recorded 44 goals on an Expected Goals mark of 44xG, and conceded 39 on an Expected Goals Against mark of 38.9xGA. It ranked seventh in the Eastern Conference in American Soccer Analysis’ Expected Points metric at 49.63xP. And that’s where the dividing line came, with United recording only 42 points as it was unable to squeeze out results it likely deserved. That’s the next step the side must take next season.

Why there’s room for optimism: Loudoun United’s progression under Attain Sports & Entertainment’s leadership over the past two seasons has been undeniable. The side equaled its single-season best for victories – which it also recorded in its inaugural season in 2019 – and set a new single-season high in points while posting its first positive goal differential ever. The club’s front office led by Director of Soccer Oliver Gage has also shown an openness into its process and ideas that’s showing the blueprint for the way forward, which is highly refreshing. Now the club needs to find a difference-maker or two that can carry it forward into the postseason.

Miami FC

Where it went wrong: Miami FC won its first game of the season against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC and for a moment, those of us who were highly skeptical of the club’s offseason moves were given pause. Then, almost nothing went right for the remainder of the year. Miami set a league record for the most defeats in a season with 29, didn’t win a single game against an Eastern Conference opponent – in fact, the side took only one point from a draw with Loudoun United FC in its 22-game in-conference slate – and conceded 89 goals, second-most in a USL Championship season.

Why there’s room for optimism: If there’s anything the last two seasons have taught us, it’s that a turnaround is possible if a club makes the right moves. You only need to look at the transformation of the Charleson Battery between 2022 and 2023, and Las Vegas Lights FC between 2023 and this season to see examples. Miami’s already made steps in this process with the addition of Sebastián Verón and Darío Sala to the club’s Board of Directors. The next step will be to make a strong coaching appointment, but there could also be pieces among potential returners and a rising Academy program that is first in the USL Academy League’s Southeast Division to build around as well.