Kévin Denkey’s Debut Goal Shows He’s Here to Take Charge at FC Cincinnati | OneFootball

Seventy minutes. That’s all it took for Kévin Denkey to start his Major League Soccer journey. The guy steps in, wears the FC Cincinnati shirt, and without a second thought, bangs in the game-winner against the New York Red Bulls. A perfectly placed header, three points in the bag, and a big message sent to the rest of the league.

The fans at TQL Stadium, braving a chilly 30°F (-1°C) night, got their blood pumping when their new striker made his first MLS mark. And this wasn’t a walk in the park, either. Cincinnati, a team that’s historically had trouble against the Red Bulls, finally got the job done at home in the regular season. Small feat? Maybe. But for a club trying to earn respect and establish itself as a contender, every little victory counts.

And here’s the kicker, Denkey didn’t even need to play a dazzling game. He was mostly quiet throughout, disappearing at times, but all it took was one moment of brilliance to make the difference. This is the kind of player any coach would love to have in their squad.

Already, Denkey’s showing signs that he could be huge for Cincinnati in the 2025 MLS season. It wasn’t just that goal against the Red Bulls that caught eyes. The Togolese forward had already scored in a 4-1 rout of FC Motagua in the Concacaf Champions Cup on Wednesday. Two games, two goals. Not bad for a guy who just landed.

Denkey’s resume speaks for itself. He arrived from the Belgian league, where he made a name for himself at Cercle Brugge. Now, he’s showing that he might just be the killer instinct Cincinnati’s been missing. The team had talent before, but they needed someone with hunger for goals and presence in the box. Looks like they’ve found their man.

And here’s the wild part, he doesn’t seem fazed by the pressure one bit. Some players get a little rattled when they join a new league and need time to settle in. Not Denkey. He’s hit the ground running, like he’s been playing in MLS for years. His playing style fits perfectly with what Noonan wants: physicality, smart movement, and a nose for the goal. The perfect mix for a modern No. 9.

You can feel that FC Cincinnati is building something special. The win over the Red Bulls? Just the first step. But looking at the roster and what they’ve already done, fans have every right to believe. In just two games, they’ve shown consistency, controlled tough matches, and most importantly, have an offensive leader who can take charge.

Cincinnati’s been searching for an identity for years. Now, under Pat Noonan’s leadership and with a squad blending experience and youth, it feels like they’ve finally figured it out.

Recent history gives plenty of reasons to be optimistic, too. Under Noonan, the team’s been nearly perfect when playing on short rest. The match against the Red Bulls was another testament to that. Even after a tough travel schedule and a hard-fought Concacaf clash, the team came out focused and knew how to handle business. That’s mental toughness, physical prep, and solid work behind the scenes.

MLS is getting tougher by the day. With international stars arriving and teams stepping up their tactical games, you can’t just survive in this league anymore. To fight for a title, you need depth, discipline, and game-changers. Denkey might be the missing piece that helps Cincinnati take it to the next level.

As Cincinnati celebrates their victorious debut, Red Bulls fans are left with plenty to worry about. Once again, they kick off their season with a loss, and this time, there was no convincing football to show for it.

The attack was flat. The midfield couldn’t create. And the defense? Well, they let the game slip at the most crucial moment. Leaving someone like Denkey wide open in the box? That’s pretty much waving the white flag. Goalkeeper Carlos Coronel tried his best, but there was nothing he could do.

What’s even more shocking is that Red Bulls had more possession, more shots on goal, but they lacked that finishing touch, the kind of flair that separates a good team from a great one. If they don’t fix that soon, 2025 could be another disappointing year for one of the league’s most storied clubs.

Now, FC Cincinnati shifts their focus to the return leg against FC Motagua. With a 4-1 aggregate lead, they’ve got every chance to clinch a spot in the Concacaf Champions Cup and keep the good times rolling.