Coming into Leagues Cup 2023, Minnesota United FC had played the most Major League Soccer matches without appearing in an intercontinental club tournament.
Joining the league in 2017, Minnesota United had played 210 matches in MLS prior to Leagues Cup 2023.
Atlanta United FC, who entered the league in the same year, had already appeared in 13 intercontinental club competition matches. Los Angeles Football Club, who entered the league a year later, had also appeared in 13 intercontinental club competition matches, and reached the final of the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League.
But just two matches into its first campaign, the Loons are playing like they fit right in.
In its Leagues Cup debut, and first official match against a LIGA MX club, Minnesota United trounced Puebla FC, 4-0, thanks to two goals each from Bongokule Hlongwane and Emmanuel Reynoso.
Reynoso scored one of the best goals in the tournament in the 65th minute. From a direct free kick, Reynoso curled a shot inside the near right post to put an exclamation point to the evening.
Tonight, against Chicago Fire, Hlongwane wasn’t done with his scoring ways. In a wild five-gal, 20-minute sequence, Hlongwane tallied a brace while the Chicago Fire scored three goals en route to a 3-2 win over the Loons.
Despite the loss, Minnesota still clinched a spot into the knockout stages. The team must now wait for the result of Chicago Fire-Puebla FC to determine where they finish in the group.
