Bongokuhle Hlongwane

Hlongwane joined Minnesota United ahead of the 2022 season as a U22 player after spending his professional career in his homeland with Maritzburg United. In 2022, “Bongi” was a part of the attacking quartet that had the Loons on a 13-game scoring streak from June 19 through August 27. He scored his two goals of the year in that timeframe, knocking his first one at Houston Dynamo to earn an MLS Team of the Week appearance. The winger scored his second goal in the following game, a 4-4 draw at Allianz Field against Portland Timbers. He finished the season third in assists for the Loons with four. Hlongwane missed the final games of the regular season due to injury but returned to the Loons starting lineup for the club’s 2022 MLS Cup Playoff game at FC Dallas. 

He made his pro debut at age 18 and scored eight goals and provided seven assists in four seasons. The attacker scored his first professional goal in June of 2019 against Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila. Hlongwane was nominated for the South African Premier Division Player of the Season award for the 2020-21 season. 

INTERNATIONAL: The South African-international made his national team debut in 2019 and has four goals in 11 appearances. He scored his first international goal in 2021 against Uganda and scored the game-winning goal against Ghana in a World Cup Qualifier.