Bongokuhle Hlongwane delivers MOTM performance in Minnesota United victory
- Andrew Olsson
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Minnesota United continue to look more and more like a contender in Major League Soccer's Western Conference and South African flank player Bongokuhle Hlongwane was in sparkling form on Wednesday evening.
Featuring in an advanced role on the right wing, Hlongwane scored twice in the second half before being credited with a secondary assist on Minnesota's final goal in a 3-1 home victory over Houston Dynamo.
After a slow first half, the action picked up in the second half and it was the former Maritzburg United star who opened the scoring on the hour mark. A long throw-in from the left wing by former SuperSport United defender Michael Boxall found Jefferson Diaz, who flicked his header towards the near post where Hlongwane applied the final touch.
Hlongwane's opener sparked a perfect ten-minute stretch for Minnesota, who added two more goals to make it 3-0 by the 70th minute. Hlongwane needed less than three minutes to double his tally when he was in the right place for a close range finish from a cross by Anthony Markanich.
Hlongwane was also involved in the build up to Minnesota's third goal, making a run through the center of the midfielder before laying a pass to Julian Gressel whose low cross was perfect for Robin Lod's finish at the far post.
The 25-year-old winger was named Man of the Match by a wide margin and his contributions helped Minnesota move up to third place on the Western Conference table, three points back of conference leaders San Diego FC. Hlongwane now has three goals and two assists in twenty games across all competitions this season while alternating between the right back and right wing positions.
