SA star Bongokuhle Hlongwane is slowly striking the right chords for MLS side Minnesota United after scoring two goals in two matches.
Hlongwane, who has been deployed in the right-back position, endured a rather frustrating first-half of the season.
However, he appears to have hit a purple patch at the club, having scored two goals in two 2025 Leagues Cup matches for his club, Minnesota United.
On Wednesday night, Minnesota United launched their 2025 Leagues Cup campaign in full force, beating Querétaro FC 4-1 at the Allianz Arena. The former Maritzburg United forward scored one of the goals.
A few days later, on Sunday morning, he was on target as Minnesota drew 3-3 with Mexican giants Club América in a Leagues Cup group stage match at the Shell Energy Stadium. They, however, went on to lose the match 8-7 on penalties, a defeat that was so disappointing for the club.
Having held onto a 3-2 lead and a one-man advantage after a 62nd-minute red card to Igor Linchnovsky, Minnesota thought they had won.
However, Club America’s Sebastian Caceres beat Minnesota goalkeeper Dayne St Clair with a last-gasp header to bring the Liga MX giants level at 3-3.
Tani Oluwaseyi opened the scores after 17 minutes. But Michael Boxall gave Club America some respite after he scored an own goal in the 27th minute.
After 31 minutes, Bongokuhle Hlongwane scored to restore the team’s lead. Juan Camilo Zúñiga equalised for Club America after 53 minutes.
Carlos Harvey scored what could have been Minnesota United’s winning goal after 65 minutes, but it was not to be. Sebastian Caceres equalised for the Mexicans, and they went on to win 8-7 on penalties.
SA STAR HLONGWANE HAS NINE LEAGUE CUP GOALS SINCE 2023
Plausibly, Hlongwane has now scored nine goals in League Cup matches since 2023. He is leading the club and is among the top scorers in the tournament.
In the MLS Western Conference, Hlongwane has scored three goals and provided one assist in 25 matches. He also scored one goal in the US Open.
Meanwhile, Bradley Carnell‘s Philadelphia Union played an international friendly that ended 2-2 against German Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt.
Bruno Damiani and Chris Donovan found the back of the net for Philadelphia Union, while Jonathan Burkardt and Elye Wahi scored for Eintracht Frankfurt.
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