As they looked to be heading towards defeat in their opening **Leagues Cup** game against **Minnesota United FC**, Chicago Fire would call their veteran striker Kei Kamara off the bench
The Allianz Field hosts would be leading ten minutes from time thanks to a double from South African marksman Bongokuhle Hlongwane, who added to the brace he’d already put away in the opening match against Club Puebla.
Chicago defender Arnaud Souquet then found an equaliser with a finish into an empty net from a tight angle, setting up a dramatic finish where both sides were going for the win.
Minutes later, a ball over the top from Mauricio Pineda found the onrushing Kamara, whose header down into the bottom corner left goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair with no chance. The goal clinched the three points, and the Xherdan Shaqiri-led side now have their playoff destiny in their own hands. Any result other than an outright defeat against Club Puebla next Monday sees them through to the Round of 32.
MLS defenders are no strangers to the Sierra Leone international’s goalscoring exploits - he has logged 143 over no less than 18 seasons in the United States, with ten different teams. His winning goal tonight saw him reach 150 goals in all competitions in North America - a milestone he’s reached in timely fashion.
He’s now also the oldest goalscorer in this summer’s tournament - overtaking Club Tigres legend André-Pierre Gignac, after the Frenchman scored his side’s equaliser against the Portland Timbers the previous night.
Although he turns 39 in September, the veteran striker continues to show that he can step up when he’s needed, even if his goal tallies have diminished in recent seasons. At this summer’s Leagues Cup, Kamara will be hoping to add another title to the MLS Cup he won with Sporting Kansas City back in 2013 - and ensure his trophy cabinet is a fair reflection of his impressive longevity at the top.
