Leagues Cup 2023 has been a breeding ground for goals galore and drama so far in the group stage of the tournament, and whilst youth has played its part, it has been the experienced heads that have been making an an impact on their sides. Whilst we reach the end of the first week of group stage action, lets take a look at the golden oldies that have been making a difference on the scoresheet in this edition of Leagues Cup so far.
Kei Kamara (38) - Chicago Fire FC
The 38-year-old got off the mark against Minnesota yesterday on the 83rd minute with a vintage header, adding to his five previous goals this season in 20 appearances for Chicago fire. The Sierra Leone native joined from Montréal in February, after a journeyman career which has seen him play for 14 different clubs. The former Columbus Crew man has also played for New England Revolution, Houston Dynamo, and has had spells in England with Middlesborough FC and Norwich City. His biggest tally came with Sporting Kansas City, scoring 40 goals over 122 games.
André-Pierre Gignac (37) - Tigres UANL
A goalscoring legend on both sides of the Atlantic, the 37-year-old Frenchman opened his Leagues Cup 2023 account against Portland Timbers for Tigres will a low finish one-on-one with the goalkeeper to level the game up. A 36-time international with Les Bleus, Gignac has played many an international tournament - his fabled shot in the Euro 2016 final almost winning the competition in his home country. A CONCACAF Champions League winner, French League Cup winner, and the holder of multiple Mexican domestic titles, Gignac played his career in France before moving to Mexico 2015. He is now only nine goals away from scoring 200 goals for Tigres, having previously scored 77 for Olympique de Marseille and 42 for FC Toulouse.
Lionel Messi (36) - Inter Miami CF
The Argentine needs no introduction. La Pulga already has netted three goals in two games during Leagues Cup 2023 on his much-awaited debut for Inter Miami CF. He scored what has become an iconic free-kick in the last minute against Cruz Azul before scoring a brace against Atlanta United. The 2022 World Cup winner is considered one of the greatest players of all time, previously winning the UEFA Champions League on four occasions and scoring 672 goals for Barcelona. The Argentina has bagged 103 goals for his national side in 175 appearances.
Elías Hernández (35) - Club León FC
The 35-year-old winger is an experienced veteran of LIGA MX, having previously played for Tigres, Pachuca, and Cruz Azul. The Mexican scored a first time wonder-strike to level-up the match for Léon against Vancouver Whitecaps. Hernández has scored four goals for his country in 25 appearances.
Ángel Mena (35) - Club León FC
The 35-year old Ecuadorian winger has played most of his career in his home country, but moved to León in 2019 . During Leagues Cup 2023, he got off the mark against LA Galaxy on the 57th minute with a one-on-one finish. Mena has made 50 appearances for Ecuador, scoring seven goals for La Tri.
