Kevin Denkey Shines as FC Cincinnati Defeats New York Red Bulls 2-0
Kevin Denkey scored twice late in the first half, leading FC Cincinnati to a 2-0 victory over the visiting New York Red Bulls on Saturday night.
Denkey notched a multi-goal game for the second consecutive match, having scored twice in Wednesday’s thrilling 4-4 draw with New York City Football Club. This marks his third brace in Major League Soccer, coming just a day shy of the anniversary of his first, which was recorded last April 26 against Sporting Kansas City.
Denkey’s standout performance helped Cincinnati (3-4-3, 12 points) break a four-game winless streak (0-1-3).
Denkey opened the scoring in the 40th minute when Cincinnati executed a swift transition past midfield. Pavel Bucha maneuvered around New York’s Joyeux Masanka Bungi and found Denkey making a run toward the goal.
Denkey evaded a defender and placed a right-footed shot into the lower left corner of the net, giving Cincinnati a 1-0 lead.
He capped off his performance with a penalty kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time after Evander was fouled by Bungi, delivering a perfectly placed shot into the right corner of the net.
Denkey’s goals allowed Cincinnati to fend off a charge from New York in the second half, as goalie Roman Celentano made crucial saves against Cade Cowell in the 57th minute, Ronald Donkor in the 63rd, and Emil Forsberg a minute later.
Celentano continued his strong performance, denying Forsberg again in the 69th minute and Jorge Ruvalcaba just two minutes later.
He finished the match with six saves, achieving his second clean sheet of the season and the 37th of his MLS career.
New York (3-4-3, 12 points) has now recorded a disappointing 1-4-3 record in its last eight matches. The Red Bulls have conceded 24 goals since their season-opening victories over Orlando and New England.
Despite attempting 20 shots, New York was blanked for the second time this season, while Cincinnati recorded 15 shot attempts, with goalie Ethan Horvath making three saves.