Minnesota United’s Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Robin Lod and Kelvin Yeboah celebrate “Bongi’s” first of two goals against the San Jose Earthquakes during their 2-1 win at Pay Pal Park on Saturday AUG 31, 2024. (Minnesota United)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Bongokuhle Hlongwane put on a show in the South Bay as his two goals were all Minnesota United needed to defeat the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 on Saturday evening at Pay Pal Park.

San Jose has lost three out of its last four league matches. Minnestoa United has won two of its past three league matches with both wins coming against the Earthquakes.

Hlongwane recorded his brace and eventual game winning goal in the 63rd minute. “Bogi” received the ball inside the box after a long throw in. His first two attempts were kept out of the net thanks to San Jose defenders blocking each attempt. However, third time was a charm for Hlongwane as his right footed shot made it into the back of the net for his team leading 9th goal of the season.

“We scored, and they come back and capitalize on a long throw, a set piece, basically. So it’s frustrating. But again, I felt like the players didn’t quit. We tried to get that second goal. We almost did with [Daniel] Munie, actually who was really injured at the time. As long as we’re fighting and trying to equalize late, that’s all we can do,” ‘Quakes interim head coach Ian Russell said.

It didn’t take Hlongwane long to score his first goal of the match as he tallied in the ninth minute for Minnesota. Robin Lod controlled a loose ball and found Hlongwane on a diagonal run for the one-timed finish that beat ‘Quakes goalkeeper Daniel to the left side.

On the flip side for San Jose Ousseni Bouda, who played in his second match since being called up from USL’s Monterey Bay FC, was the Earthquakes best player in the first half as Minnesota United had difficulty trying to contain the young forward.

Bouda scored the equalizer for San Jose in 33rd minute. Amahl Pellegrino headed an aerial ball in the box toward a charging Bouda, whose left-footed strike beat goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair for his first league goal of the season. Bouda also scored in the US Open Cup against the Oakland Roots back on May 7th that proved to be the game winner.

Bouda almost had a second goal of his own three minutes later in the 36th minute off a header but St. Clair made a spectacular diving save to keep the score level as both teams were even at intermission.

“For me, regardless of whether it’s one minute or 90 minutes, this is what I love to do. This is my dream. I love playing for the Quakes. I just want to just give it my all, all of the time, because that’s really all I can control. Whether I miss a chance, or whether I’m in for five minutes and maybe I don’t touch the ball, just always control whatever you control. And I hope that I continue to do that, and then just keep my head down whether I’m scoring hat tricks in games or not, that’s just the mentality I aspire to have,” Bouda said.

Fullback Daniel Munie injured his hamstring late in the second half but because ‘Quakes head coach had already used his five substitutions he put Munie up front with the forwards as he didn’t want to play a man down in the final stretch.

San Jose had one last ditch effort for the second equalizer when Paul Marie came around the right wing and crossed the ball into the middle of the box, but Munie’s right footed attempt sailed high over the net in the third minute of stoppage time.

St. Clair finished one save on two shots on goal to earn the victory. Daniel made four saves in six shots on goal in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished the match with three corner kicks. Minnesota United had eight.

The Quakes move to 5-6-4 (21 GF, 26 GA) in the all-time series against Minnesota United FC and 3-3-2 at home (13 GF, 16 GA). Not counting the two clubs’ clash in the 2020 MLS Is Back Tournament where San Jose was technically the home team but the match was held at a neutral site in Florida, tonight’s loss snapped the Quakes’ home unbeaten streak over MNUFC in San Jose at three games (1-0-2).

Pellegrino stayed hot, notching his second assist of the MLS season on Bouda’s goal. The play also marked his 10th goal contribution across all competitions and fourth in as many total games.

Forward Cristian Espinoza extended his run of consecutive MLS regular-season games played to a current league-high of 102 with his start tonight (Oct. 2, 2021 – present). The streak is not only a Quakes record but the seventh-longest in MLS history. Luis Robles holds the league record with 183 straight appearances (Sept. 29, 2012 – May 12, 2018).

UP NEXT: San Joses heads into the international break before resuming MLS regular season play on Saturday, 9/14 when they travel north of the Canadian border to face Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Kickoff from BC Place is set for 7:30pm.