Family is good luck charm

MINNESOTA UNITED 3, HOUSTON DYNAMO 1

Hlongwane scores twice as mother, brother come from South Africa to see him play

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Minnesota United forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane (21) holds up his baby brother Gift Bhengu after running into the stands to celebrate along with his mom Sherly Bengu on Wednesday at Allianz Field in St. Paul. Hlongwane scored two goals against Houston Dynamo. JOHN AUTEY — PIONEER PRESS

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By Andy Greder

agreder@pioneerpress.com

Bongi Hlongwane’s family members brought great luck all the way from South Africa on Wednesday night.

Mom Sherly Bhengu and baby brother Gift Bhengu traveled to Minnesota last week to see their loved one play in-person for the first time, and Hlongwane scored two goals — only his second and third goals of the season — in the Loons’ 3-1 win over Houston Dynamo at Allianz Field.

After Hlongwane’s first goal in the 61st minute, he didn’t do his regular celebratory dance and instead hopped over the advertising boards and walked up into the stands to celebrate with them. Bhengu didn’t know her son was allowed to do that, but it made for a heartwarming scene as they embraced.

“It was mixed emotions,” Bhengu told the Pioneer Press of seeing her son succeed in the goal directly in front of their seats. “I was nervous, ready and feeling pride. I didn’t know what to think.”

The surreal experience paled in comparison to Bhengu waking up in the middle of the night to watch Loons games on Apple TV on the other side of the world. When Hlongwane scored his second goal Wednesday night, it was just after 4 a.m. Thursday in his home country.

Home for Hlongwane

Each morning, Hlongwane says goodbye to his temporary house guests as he heads off to practice at the National Sports Center in Blaine.

“Me telling them I’m going to training shows what I was doing in training and how it’s paying off in the games, so I’m happy,” the 25-year-old said.

Hlongwane said their short visit won’t be “enough, but at least I saw them.”

Speel steady

Loons rookie goalkeeper Wessel Speel allowed only one goal late in stoppage time on Wednesday, a big improvement after a rocky MLS debut in the 4-2 loss to San Diego on June 14.

The goal came off a deflection from center back Nico Romero in the 93rd minute and it ruined a clean sheet, but the 23-year-old Dutchman had a much more routine outing after he got chipped from midfield and allowed a penalty kick against San Diego.

“It was a really good bounce back,” Speel said. “We had to take responsibility from the last game and show up, back to the principles, back to winning at home. I think coming back from that really showed the resilience.”

Speel also rewarded the faith head coach Eric Ramsay put in him and not going to fellow backup Alec Smir as the team tries to cover for All-Star goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, who is with Canada in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

“The determining factor for (Speel) was whether he was going to follow it up (Wednesday) with a real sense of assuredness and you have to show some real personality in a situation like that,” Ramsay said.