Bongi Hlongwane’s goal in the 95th minute gave Minnesota United the full three points at the last possible moment in Portland.
Hlongwane’s right-footed strike from the top of the Timbers’ box barely escaped the fingertips of diving Portland goalie Aljaz Ivacic for a 1-0 win, sealed moments before the referee was set to blow the final whistle.
Bongi Hlongwane 95th minute winner for Minnesota United 🤯
(via @MLS)pic.twitter.com/3GFqx7FvQX
— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 21, 2023
For a second straight game, Hlongwane scored the Loons only goal.
United goalie Dayne St. Clair made four saves, the last coming on a threatening header just a couple minutes before Hlongwane’s winner.
The Loons’ two-game win streak comes on the heels of a six-game winless streak.
Portland entered the night unbeaten in their last four.
United travels straight to Houston for their Round of Sixteen match in the U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane scored late in stoppage time to give Minnesota United a 1-0 victory over the Portland Timbers on Saturday night.
Minnesota goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair made four saves in the victory, including a dangerous header from defender Zac McGraw in the 89th minute.
The loss snapped a four-match undefeated run for Portland.
Minnesota midfielder Emanuel Reynoso did not play, although he was cleared by Major League Soccer this week. The two-time All-Star did not report to the team for the start of the season and was suspended by the league.
After Hlongwane’s goal moments before the final whistle, Portland goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic pounded the turf. Ivacic also finished with four saves.
