Bafana Bafana stars on target in the MLS

Bafana Bafana stars plying their trade in the Major League Soccer [MLS] hit good strides on Sunday morning after scoring for their respective clubs.

Though both Minnesota United and St Louis City lost, Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Njabulo Blom were on target, respectively, for their clubs.

Hlongwane scored his fourth goal in 2024 and provided an assist in Minnesota’s 3-2 loss to Portland Timbers FC. On the other hand, Blom scored his first goal in 2024 after 10 MLS appearances for St. Louis City.

Hlongwane’s Minnesota succumbed to a late surge by Portland Timbers who went on to secure the narrow win. The former Maritzburg United man scored for Minnesota United in the 29th minute. 

He was gifted with the ball from a rebound before beating Portland goalkeeper James Pantemis from close range. Assisted by Hlongwane, Sang-bin Jeong scored another goal in the 38th to put Minnesota up 2-0. But they crumbled under intense pressure in the second half as goals from Santi Moreno and Evander levelled matters.

And Jonathan Rodriguez put the game well beyond them when he scored a last-gasp goal that all but gave Portland Timbers FC the win.

NJABULO BLOM SCORES HIS SECOND MLS GOAL

Meanwhile, Blom scored the first goal of the match, but St. Louis City went on to lose 4-3 to Vancouver. Blom opened the scoring after seven minutes, benefitting from a Chris Durkin pass.

That was his first goal of the season and the second of his MLS career. The former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder had one goal in 21 starts and 26 appearances last season as a newcomer.

Moreso, Brian White scored twice in the second half to complete a hattrick and rally Vancouver from a two-goal deficit to a massive win.

The Bradley Carnell-coached St Louis City took a two-goal lead when Eduard Löwen scored their second goal after 12 minutes.

And Vancouver pulled one back in the 37th minute through White. White was on target again early in the second half. White then gave Vancouver the lead on the hour mark.

Fafà Picault finished the scoring for Vancouver in the 90th minute with his fourth goal of the season. Hopes will be high for the Bafana Bafana Stars to maintain the scoring momentum.

RELATED STORY: Bongokuhle Hlongwane shines again for Minnesota United in MLS