The round of 32 saw more action and goals from young players in the tournament. Whilst the likes of Lionel Messi, Carlos Vela, Sergio Busquets, and Pierre André-Gignac show their off their experience in the competition - young players have also burst onto the scene at Leagues Cup 2023.
29 players under the age of 23 have already scored during the group stage and Round of 32, with four of the top five scorers aged 24 or less. Let’s look at the hottest young prospects to watch during the next round of Leagues Cup 2023.
Benja Cremacshi (18) - Inter Miami CF
The eighteen-year old is one of Inter Miami’s most exciting talents, having risen through the MLS side’s youth ranks and signing a professional contract last November. An energetic and quick-footed versatile midfielder, Cremacshi has already made 18 appearances for Inter Miami so far and has started all three matches in Leagues Cup 2023, providing an assist against Atlanta United in the group stage.
The US U20 international is set to learn from three of the best teachers, starting alongside Sergio Busquets in midfield, combining with Messi when he drops deep, and interacting with Jordi Alba in the wide areas.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane (23) - Minnesota United FC
Hlongwane can’t stop scoring at **Leagues Cup 2023**. 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. He netted two goals during his team's defeat against Chicago Fire FC and followed it up with another brace in the subsequent group match against Puebla.
Against Columbus Crew in the Round of 32 he netted in his third successive match - the first a lofted chip as Minnesota took the lead, the second a scuffled finish to level the game at 2-2. The South African is currently beating Inter Miami CF’s Lionel Messi and Monterray’s Germán Berterame in the goalscoring charts.
Marcel Ruiz (22) - Toluca FC
At the age of 22, Ruiz has already accumulated five years of experience in LIGA MX. However, during Leagues Cup 2023, he made a significant impact by scoring his first brace for Toluca in their opening match against Nashville SC. Impressively, he converted both of the two chances he created, displayed excellent defensive skills by winning all five tackles he attempted, and showcased his passing abilities with a success rate of 55 out of 59 passes. This has been backed up by two solid outings for Toluca against Colorado (4-1) and Sporting Kansas City (4-1) which have topped a high-scoring tournament for the Mexican side. Ruiz will face Minnesota in the round of 16 on Tuesday.
Nathan Ordaz (19) - LAFC
The El-Salvador U20 international scored his first senior goal for LAFC during their 7-1 drubbing of Juárez in the 90th minute - becoming the youngest goalscorer at the tournament in the process. He was played through by the hat-trick man Bouanga and finished clinically past the keeper to finally break his duct. Ordaz made his senior debut in March, and has made 14 appearances so far in MLS. He’ll be hoping to have a similar involvement in the Leagues Cup round of 16 against Real Salt Lake on Tuesday.
Jack McGlynn (20) - Philadelphia Union
The Philadelphia homegrown talent was the youngest goal scorer at Leagues Cup 2023 in 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.
