Bongokuhle “Bongi” Hlongwane of Minnesota United FC doubled his 2023 goal count in the Fourth Round Lamar Hunt US Open Cup match against the Philadelphia Union, giving life to a team that had squandered two leads. The young international is the first South African to play in MLS and has been an exciting example of that brand of football. Two goals and four assists in 2022 secured Hlongwane’s place as a supersub and he cemented that role in stunning fashion in the Fourth Round with a penalty kick win against Union. With his two goals and one assist, the gentleman’s hat trick, Hlongwane was voted TheCup.us Player of the Round.
Hlongwane ran away with the voting for the award. He outpaced Daniel Griffin of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, followed by Andrew Tarbell of the Houston Dynamo and last round’s winner Christian Volesky of Monterey Bay FC. The Player of the Round award is voted on by TheCup.us staff, a select panel from the North American Soccer Reporters and select backers (those that pledge $10 or more) of TheCup.us’ Patreon team.
In the absence of Minnesota’s All-Star designated player Emanuel Reynoso, Hlongwane has become a regular starter in Adrian Heath’s attack this season, starting in all nine league matches ahead of the Round 4 matchup and tallying two goals in that stretch. His ability to race end to end and willingness to put his body on the line in the counterattack has opened possibilities for a team struggling to find an identity and a consistent formation. This grit was the difference against Philadelphia.
Hlongwane opened the scoring in the 68th minute with a glancing header inside the six, and dropped a dime to Joseph Rosales just five minutes later, putting the Loons up 2-0 in the 73rd minute. His composure in possession is a trait sorely lacking in this squad but shone against through the tired legs of the both sides in this match. The Loons, in a not atypical fashion, gave up the lead with Chris Donovan going unchallenged in front of goal in the 78th minute and Kai Wagner scoring at the death, equalizing in the fourth minute of stoppage time. It was Bongi who renewed Minnesota’s hopes in the first half of extra time.
While Minnesota’s go-ahead goal was canceled out by another last-gasp goal from Wagner, goalkeeper Clint Irwin stopped his penalty kick, sealing a win behind Hlongwane’s efforts. Wagner also received consideration for the award and had he scored the PK to extend the shootout, there’s a chance he would have won.
For Hlongwane, being the striker who secured the first win at home of the 2023 season was special.
“It’s been a while. But I still need to learn the song ,” said Hlongwane. “I am happy when I hear it. It makes me feel good because I see the people’s joy.”
Just a week later, he was responsible for the first home win in league play as well, the lone scorer in a 1-0 win against Houston Dynamo on Matchday 13, earning MLS Team of the Matchday honors and overtaking Luis Amarilla and Mender García as the squad’s leading scorer with three in league play.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane has contributed five goals and two assists in all competitions and leads Minnesota United with 13 shots on target (Amarilla is in second with 7). A fan favorite for his goal celebrations, Hlongwane is on track for a productive breakout performance this season and may well be the difference for an MNUFC squad that faces personnel challenges moving forward in US Open Cup play.
