Secondary Transfer Window Sees Influx of Talent into MLS
Teams looking to make a push to the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs or building for their futures made significant signings during the Secondary Transfer Window, which closed on Wednesday, August 2. Over 55 new players were acquired by MLS clubs, including six players arriving to Inter Miami CF, headlined by international superstars Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba.
However, the arrival of these stars only tells part of the story as it relates to the Secondary Transfer Window. The average age of the 33 players reportedly acquired via transfer fees was 24 years and 62 days old, including 14 players aged 22 or younger. Thirteen players were signed via the U-22 Initiative (with an average age of 20.62), including a second trio of young Miami stars – Tomás Avilés (Racing Club), Facundo Farías (Club Atlético Colón), and Diego Gómez (Libertad) – who round out the roster alongside their veteran trifecta.
Ten incoming players from nine different leagues were signed as Designated Players, including Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge of Nottingham Forest (English Premier League), Real Salt Lake’s Cristian ‘Chicho’ Arango of C.F. Pachuca (LIGA MX), and FC Cincinnati’s Aaron Boupendza of Al-Shabab FC (Saudi First Division).
Further enhancing the global nature of MLS, 32 different nationalities were represented among the group of players brought in during the Secondary Transfer Window, including 29 players who have represented their countries in international play.
Breakout Stars of Leagues Cup 2023
The stars of MLS have carried their regular season success into Leagues Cup 2023 action, while the tournament has also provided a platform for new names to begin their rise to stardom as they continue to build momentum during the knockout rounds.
Minnesota United FC forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane has lit up the scoring charts in Leagues Cup, trailing only Lionel Messi (seven) for Leagues Cup Top Scorer accolades with six goals through three games. Hlongwane, who entered this tournament with six goals and three assists through 21 regular season games, has scored a brace in each of Minnesota’s three Leagues Cup games thus far and added an assist to his early haul.
Playing alongside Messi in Miami, forward Robert Taylor has also found a new lease on life as the third piece of the club’s front three. The Finnish international was excellent in front of net in the Group Stage, scoring three goals in two games, including a two-goal performance against Atlanta United. Taylor has also provided a creative spark with two assists, including a chipped helper on Messi’s first goal against Orlando City in the Round of 32 (Watch Here).
Philadelphia Union midfielder Jesús Bueno has stepped up in the absence of captain Alejandro Bedoya, as one of three players to play all 270 minutes of the Union’s Leagues Cup 2023 run. Bueno has been a prospect within the Union organization since his arrival in 2021 and began to grow into his role as the deputy midfield facilitator to Bedoya, but the Venezuelan has excelled as a starter in Leagues Cup, adding three assists to his name in the tournament.
Messi’s Leagues Cup 2023 Marking Career Firsts
It is difficult for Lionel Messi to add firsts to his lengthy résumé, but Leagues Cup 2023 is proving otherwise. In his career, Messi has always performed in cup competitions – winning four UEFA Champions League trophies and the Spanish Copa Del Rey seven times. However, Leagues Cup 2023 is shaping up to be one of his best individual performances in an international or domestic club tournament.
With seven goals in 294 minutes of action, Messi’s 2.14 goals per 90-minute average is the best in any club cup competition in his career. In fact, in club competitions where he played in more than three matches, his previous best goals-per-90-minute mark was 1.29 for FC Barcelona in the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League (12 goals in 837 minutes).
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By dispatching FC Dallas in a penalty shootout on Sunday night, it also marked the first time in Messi’s club career that his side won a penalty shootout that he participated in. Finally, Messi scored a dramatic direct free kick goal in the 84th minute against Dallas – his second free-kick score in Leagues Cup – which sent the game to penalty kicks. This is the just the third club cup tournament of his career with multiple direct free kick goals and the first since the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League.
As Miami and Messi continue their Leagues Cup 2023 run, the magician from Argentina will look to add to his record-breaking tournament.
What They’re Saying About Leagues Cup 2023
Below is a selection of notable quotes from participating coaches and players regarding Leagues Cup 2023:
“... We're in a situation now where we're three wins away from playing in another final. That's a goal for all the players. I've said it from the start of this competition - Leagues Cup has been an amazing competition with great games so far. But at the end of the day, and most importantly, there's a trophy on the line...there is a Champions League spot on the line, and obviously there's the biggest financial reward we've ever had in our league on the line, so the players are highly motivated. It's a great opportunity to learn about your group in an elimination game.” - Philadelphia Union Head Coach Jim Curtin
“I think it's [Leagues Cup] actually been quite exciting. I've been very tuned in watching a lot of games, especially the games between the MLS and LIGA MX clubs. I think it's been a bit of a breath of fresh air. You know, I think we all know the players, especially going into it didn't really know what to expect. It was something completely different, you know? By bringing two leagues together you wouldn't really know how it's going to go, but I've personally been thoroughly impressed by it. I think it's been a good little breakup in the season. .... I think for us as a team, we've taken it very seriously. It's a way for us to build momentum. If you now count the win on penalties, we’ve won three games in a row and we're looking to build on it and, you know, it's a really good way to create a positive environment around ourselves and play against, yes, some teams that we’ve played against before, but also, you know, I don't think I would have ever played against Atlético San Luis. If we win MLS Cup and Champions League, it's a new team that I probably wouldn't have played against. So, I think it's [Leagues Cup] been a good experience.” - New York Red Bulls forward Cameron Harper
“It [Leagues Cup] is a competition that we're taking very seriously. We're going to prepare ourselves for each match as if it's the most important match. It's a very good opportunity to develop ourselves as a team, being together and being able to train.” “We like being here in the United States, playing against another league and against clubs from another league that is growing. Everybody notices the growth of this league [MLS]. ...It's good for us to focus the group on playing against other clubs with other styles of play. This tournament gives us an opportunity to learn, to grow, to develop as a professional and as a team. " - Club América Head Coach André Jardine
“There are no favorites. Anything can happen. These are two quite competitive leagues and they're quite evenly matched. I don't think there are many differences in modern football. Whoever prepares best and whoever has the best day may win, especially in this stage, the knockouts. It requires a lot of concentration. It's no longer who has the best team or who has the best roster because it's all put out there for 90 minutes.” - LAFC forward Carlos Vela
