FOXBOROUGH,MA – MAY 19: Olwethu Makhanya #29 of Philadelphia Union II before a game between Philadelphia Union II and New England Revolution II at Gillette Stadium on May 19, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Andrew Katsampes/ISI Photos/Getty Images).
USA-based Olwethu Makhanya experienced a rollercoaster week for Philadelphia Union where he continues to fight for a first team berth.
Makhanya went from being left out of the Philadelphia Union II starting XI for a league match against New York City FC, to coming back and scoring a crucial goal for his side in a semi-final clash, all in the space of a week.
Makhanya’s head coach Marlon LeBlanc when asked about his reasons for omitting the 20-year-old provided a blunt answer, “Teaching guys how to be pros in the second team—I’ll leave it at that,” he told journalists.
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However, a few days later he was singing the former Stellenbosch man’s praises for a standout performance.
“I thought he had a fantastic performance. Maybe the first 20 minutes we were a little bit rocky, [he was] a little bit rusty, having not played in a few weeks, but after that he released it out and he stood out against top level players, three and a half million Charlotte spent on that striker,” he told reporters after the match.
“Olwethu particular out of fantastic game. Like I said after the 1st 20 minutes he settled in, won some big headers and in particular on some set pieces where they are an outstanding set piece team because of their size and strength and their little bit of physicality, athleticism and he made some big plays and then obviously the goal, you know it’s great to see him get on the end of a set piece on our end,” he added.
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