Puso Dithejane made his first start for new club Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer on Saturday as they thrashed Sporting Kansas City 5-0 to keep up the pressure on the frontrunners.
Dithejane, who signed from TS Galaxy in February, had previously been used three times as a substitute in league action, while he did play in the starting line-up in the US Open Cup against second-tier opposition Detroit City, where he was sent off earlier this month.
But on Saturday, he was in the starting line-up for the first time in the league and helped his side stay third in the Eastern Conference. All five goals came in the second half.
Compatriot Mbekezeli Mbokazi was an unused substitute for the game.
Chicago next face St. Louis City away in the US Open Cup on Wednesday, and their next league match is home to FC Cincinnati on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Bradley Carnell’s Philadelphia Union slumped to bottom place in the Eastern Conference as they fell 2-0 to the Columbus Crew away on Saturday.
“We had a lot of hope coming into the game, but two errors led to two goals, and that was pretty much the game,” said Carnell, who had Olwethu Makhanya in central defence.
Philadelphia finished top of the regular season standings last season but have won once in 10 MLS games this campaign.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane started for Minnesota United, but they lost 1-0 at home to Los Angeles FC, also on Saturday.