The Leagues Cup 2023 group stage has now come to an end, after ten days full of action and special moments for soccer fans. As well as Lionel Messi’s debut for Inter Miami CF, the group stage will have thrown up a bit of everything: strange celebrations, last-minute goals, decisive penalty shoot-outs, hat-tricks, and other moments that have made the competition truly special so far. Here’s a look at some of the players who stood out in this opening phase of the tournament.
The first mention should undoubtedly go to Lionel Messi - not just because of his status, but also for the impact he’s had on Inter Miami CF: improved play, verve, goals, and a spot in the knockout round. The Argentine has turned the team’s fortunes around. They had gone into the tournament as the bottom-placed team in the MLS Eastern Conference, but are now more competitive and feared by their rivals. The Florida side have emerged as one of the favourites to win the trophy this summer.
The Argentine has scored three goals, and assisted one of the six goals that the Florida side have scored in their first two Leagues Cup 2023 games.
Another one of the players who have made their mark is Argentinian striker Germán Berterame, the top scorer of the group stages with five strikes. He put away a hat-trick on Sunday night as CF Monterrey came back from behind to win 4-2 against **Seattle Sounders FC**.
Berterame’s eye for goal was also on show in his first group stage appearance, given he only needed 13 minutes to score against **Real Salt Lake** before adding another on 74 minutes.
The top assisters in the competition after the group stage are Adrián Aldrete (Pumas), Jesús Bueno (Philadelphia Union), Jacob Shaffelburg (Nashville SC), and Leandro Suárez (SC Club América), having each set up three goals.
It’s also worth taking a look at the goalkeepers. Atlas FC shot-stopper Camilo Vargas was the only one to keep two clean sheets, as his team won both of their games 1-0. The LIGA MX side first beat **New York City FC**, before getting the better of **Toronto FC**. As a result, they are the only team who are yet to concede ahead of the competition’s knockout rounds.
Meanwhile, Riqui Puig of Los Angeles Galaxy was the midfielder who best orchestrated his team’s attacks during the Leagues Cup 2023 group stages. The Catalan completed 92 passes in the opposition half in the two games his team played. However, it wasn’t enough for the Californian outfit, as they lost 1-0 to **Club León** and then 2-1 to the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Can the players who made the difference in the group stages help their teams to the Leagues Cup title, or will new heroes emerge this week?
