Whilst the likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and André-Pierre Gignac have been taking the spotlight as experienced players for their teams in Leagues Cup 2023, the tournament has also been a platform for young players to shine.
There have been 23 players under the age of 23 that have scored in the group stage so far. In the top ten highest scorers in the competition so far, five of those players are aged 24 or under. It is safe to say that younger players have thrived so far in the competition that sees all 47 MLS and LIGA MX sides face off for the very first time.
As the group stage concludes shortly, let's take a look at five key young goal scorers to watch in the knockout stage of Leagues Cup 2023.
This is opposed to the five oldest goal scorers at Leagues Cup 2023
Duncan McGuire (22) - Orlando City SC
The Nebraska-born centre-forward has continued a meteoric rise from college soccer just a year ago to performing in both MLS and Leagues Cup 2023. The Orlando man joined the club in December 2022 from Creighton University where he was the second best scorer at collegiate level, scoring 23 out of 24 games last season.
High intensity and work-rate defines McGuire's busy style of play, with a low centre of gravity and a physical presence which bothers defenders. Against Houston, his relentless pressing saw goalkeeper Andrew Tarbell give the ball away to him to finish into the open net. Against Santos Laguna, McGuire leaped highest to score a powerful header on the 44th minute. These two efforts are added to his eight goals already scored this season in MLS. The American faces Lionel Messi's Inter Miami CF in the Florida derby in the next round.
Marcel Ruiz (22) - Toluca FC
At 22-years-old, Ruiz has already amassed five years of experience in LIGA MX. However, Leagues Cup 2023 saw the Mexican score his first brace for Toluca against Nashville SC in their opening match. He finished off two out of two chances created, whilst winning five out of five tackles and completing 55 out of the 59 passes that he made.
Those were just the stats. On the eye Ruiz is an exciting talent, an explosive midfielder who can drive forward and get into attacking dangerous positions. Whilst the Mexican Zidane label may bestow too much pressure on the young player, it is certainly one which fits the player's archetype.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane (23) - Minnesota United FC
The 23-year-old Bafana Bafana winger can't stop scoring in Leagues Cup 2023, sitting currently second in the goalscoring chart after scoring a double brace. He joined the club from his native Maritzburg United FC in January last year and has been steadily scoring - yet Leagues Cup has seen him turn into a different beast.
Hlongwane has the turn of pace, and a deadly finishing edge to his play which has been sharpened in his first two Leagues Cup appearances. He scored two goals in his side's loss to Chicago Fire FC, whilst also bagging a brace against Puebla in the follow-up group match.
Thiago Almada (22) - Atlanta United
Whilst he will no longer grace this edition of Leagues Cup, Thiago Almada is a player with the highest potential that will, for sure, be one to watch in the present and future. Almada is an attacking midfielder who moves with elegance, flair, and unpredictability. He possesses a high accuracy in passing in the final third, and is effective in the support forward role for striker Giorgos Giakoumakis.
The 2022 World Cup winner faced Lionel Messi in the group stage, and managed to get on the scoresheet with a low driven finish against Cruz Azul - but it wasn't enough to see his side through to the knockouts.
Jack McGlynn (20) - Philadelphia Union
The Philadelphia homegrown talent is the youngest goal scorer at Leagues Cup 2023 so far during the group stage. The 20-year-old's long-range strike against Querétaro FC capped off a big 5-1 win for Union over the Mexican side. A classic deep-lying playmaker at heart, the American youngster's passing and movement is his strength. Whilst a goal is somewhat a rarity, the rest of his play-making ability makes him a key player to watch - he will face D.C. United in the round of 32.
