Bongokuhle Hlongwane scores 2 goals in 3 minutes with family in attendance and Minnesota tops Dynamo

Bongokuhle Hlongwane scores 2 goals in 3 minutes with family in attendance and Minnesota tops Dynamo | iNFOnews.ca
Minnesota United forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane (21) celebrates after scoring a goal during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Houston Dynamo, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Bongokuhle Hlongwane scored two goals in three minutes and Minnesota beat the Houston Dynamo 3-1 on Wednesday night.

Hlongwane opened the scoring in the 60th minute with his back facing the goal on a back-heel redirection. Hlongwane ran into the crowd to celebrate with his mom, who saw him play an MLS game in person for the first time.

Hlongwane made it 2-0 in the 63rd. Anthony Markanich headed a ball into the area and sent a pass from the endline in front of goal for Hlongwane’s touch home.

Hlongwane took sole possession of second place in club history with 24 regular-season goals, breaking a tie with Emanuel Reynoso (22).

Minnesota (9-4-6) went ahead 3-0 in the 70th when Julian Gressel curled a pass behind the Houston defense and Robin Lod sent it home at the back post.

Bongokuhle Hlongwane scores 2 goals in 3 minutes with family in attendance and Minnesota tops Dynamo | iNFOnews.ca
Houston Dynamo midfielder Sebastian Kowalczyk (27) controls the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match against Minnesota United, Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Houston (5-9-5) got on the board in stoppage time on when second-half substitute Felipe Andrade knocked home a deflected ball.

The two sides met earlier this season in Houston, where the Dynamo secured a 2-0 victory.

Bongokuhle Hlongwane scores 2 goals in 3 minutes with family in attendance and Minnesota tops Dynamo | iNFOnews.ca
Minnesota United forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane (21), left, and Houston Dynamo midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro (20) battle for possession of the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Wednesday, June 25, 2025, in St. Paul, Minn. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

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