Loons dominate Queretaro in Leagues Cup opener

Bongi Hlongwane clearly loves playing in Leagues Cup In the opening meeting of the tournament with Mexico s Liga MX on Wednesday Minnesota United s attacking midfielder scored the opening goal and made a dangerous run to set up the Loons second in a - blowout win over Queteraro at Allianz Field It was the type of performance that harkened to Hlongwaane s tournament form when he scored seven goals second only to various contestant named Lionel Messi In the th minute Hlongwane tapped in Joseph Rosales deflected cross for the opening goal Then in the th Hlongwane went on a -plus yard dribble straight through the Queretaro defense and was in on goal if not for a desperate foul from Omar Mendoza just outside of the box The threat of Hlongwane set up a free kick that Kelvin Yeboah curled around a Queretaro six-man wall that was less than fully committed to putting their bodies on the line It helped allow Yeboah to figure low and inside the right post for a - lead Queretaro was - - in three games to start the Liga MX season and that poor run continued north of the confines Minnesota is dead last in MLS in possession but had the ball nearly of the first half The Loons ended with possession The Mexican side cut United s lead in half with a strong strike from Jhojan Julio into the top of the net in the th minute But two subs put it out of reach Anthony Markanich created breathing room in the th minute and Tani Oluwaseyi turned it into a blowout with a goal in the th minute Hlongwane nearly had more goals before his teammates put out of reach Another shot on a breakaway was denied by goalkeeper Jose Hernandez in the th minute and another run in behind ended when he was hauled down on the edge of the box The Loons will close out Phase One of the tournament with Mexico s Liga MX against Club America in Houston on Saturday at Atletico de San Luis in St Paul next Wednesday MNUFC head coach Eric Ramsay estimated his unit would need at least seven points in order to be included in the four of MLS clubs who will advance to the quarterfinal knockout round The Loons got off to a strong start Wednesday The Loons plus- goal differential could be key in advancing to the quarterfinals