Bafana star hits brace in MLS to lead club goal charts
Bongokuhle Hlongwane put up a five-star display, scoring a brace as Minnesota United recorded their first away win in nearly four months.
In this one, they beat San Jose Earthquakes 2-1, the second time they have beaten them this season in the MLS.
The efforts of Hlongwane, Wil Trapp, and Hassani Dotson stood out most on Sunday morning, for very different reasons.
But it was the Bafana Bafana star’s goals that made the difference for the Eric Ramsay-coached side.
Hlongwane paid back coach Ramsay’s faith for starting him next to forward Kelvin Yeboah and over Teemu Pukki and Tani Oluwaseyi.
First, they capitalized on San Jose’s lack of concentration in the opening minutes. Forceful midfielder Hassani Dotson won a loose ball before picking up Robin Lod, whose pin-point pass found Hlongwane.
From that point, the former Maritzburg United [now Durban City FC] forward made no mistake to dart the ball home in the ninth minute.
However, they gave up the lead 20 minutes later, with Ousseni Bouda scoring for San Jose from close range after they failed to defend. It was San Jose’s first shot of the match.
The winning goal came in the 64th minute when a long throw-in was deflected straight to Hlongwane in front of the San Jose goal.
And he scrambled it into the nets but after his first attempt hit the keeper and the crossbar. His second hit a defender and after the ball rebounded to him yet again, he finally hit the target.
HLONGWANE NOW TOPS MINNESOTA UNITED GOAL CHARTS
The two goals gave Hlongwane the lead this season, with nine goals on his tally. Oluwaseyi is second on the club goalcharts with eight goals to his name. All in all, Hlongwane has now scored nine goals and provided four assists.
This was Minnesota United’s first away victory since beating Atlanta on May 4. They had only managed only two draws and six losses away from Allianz Field since then in all competitions.
Minnesota United coach Ramsey was elated by how his men applied themselves against San Jose.
“Largely up until the point they had the scoring chance right at the death, it was a performance that was full of control and dominance.
“For far longer than we have been able to display over the course of the last couple of months. It was a pleasing night, and it obviously puts us right back in the mix,” he said.
They now sit in ninth position in the MLS Western Conference with 36 points from 27 matches.
RELATED STORY:Bongi Hlongwane shining in MLS: 11-goal contributions in 23 games