Olwethu Makhanya's first MLS goal keeps Philadelphia Union at the top
- Andrew Olsson
- 14 hours ago
- 2 min read
The role of central defender is not the most glamorous but rising South African talent Olwethu Makhanya snatched the spotlight on Wednesday evening in Philadelphia Union's 2-1 victory over CF Montreal in Major League Soccer.
The 21-year-old former Stellenbosch player, who continues to be a reliable defender for Philly, leaped up to bounce his header in for a first MLS goal from a Kai Wagner corner kick. The early second half goal held up as the game winner as the Union maintained their pace as leaders of the Eastern Conference with the highest current point total in MLS.
Makhanya's winner came after a first half goal from Union striker Tai Baribo was canceled out just before halftime by Montreal's Prince-Osei Owusu. It was a night to celebrate the young South African who has played every minute of Philly's last seven games.
"I mean, obviously, I'm very happy to score my first goal for the team. I feel like it was a very important one because we conceded a goal in the last minutes of the first half. When I went inside I was looking at the goal and felt like I let the team down. So when I saw the corner kick opportunity I was like 'you know what? This is my time to repay the team back.'"
"I feel like we just have to keep calm and understand that all the teams behind us are hunting us. So we have to have that mentality...just try to defend out spot and keep doing everything that is working for us," Makhanya said in a post-match interview with regards to Union's position at the top of the MLS table.
Makhanya and the Union only have three days to reflect on their latest victory while they travel across the country to face Houston Dynamo on Saturday.
