Kvin Denkey made a direct impression in his MLS debut, scoring the one objective of the match to steer FC Cincinnati to a 1-0 victory over the New York Purple Bulls of their season opener on Saturday evening. The Togolese ahead, who joined from Cercle Brugge for an MLS-record $16.2 million switch price, wasted no time proving his price.
Denkey discovered the again of the online within the seventieth minute, connecting on a well-placed header off a pinpoint help from veteran DeAndre Yedlin. The objective secured three essential factors for Cincinnati and signaled Denkey’s arrival as a key determine within the membership’s assault.
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Celentano stands tall in objective
Whereas Denkey supplied the offensive spark, goalkeeper Roman Celentano was equally important to the victory. The Cincinnati shot-stopper made three key saves within the second half to protect the clear sheet. Celentano’s first main check got here within the 66th minute when he denied a strong header from Purple Bulls newcomer Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
Two minutes later, he stopped one other header from Alexander Hack. His last save, an 82nd-minute effort towards Choupo-Moting’s long-range shot, sealed the win.
The Purple Bulls, final season’s Japanese Convention champions, struggled to create possibilities all through the match. Regardless of their dominance in earlier visits to Cincinnati (4-0-1 all-time in regular-season play), they failed to interrupt via towards a well-organized Cincinnati protection.
Cincinnati’s new period begins
FC Cincinnati enters the 2024 season seeking to construct on final yr’s marketing campaign and exchange the manufacturing of former league MVP Luciano Acosta, who now performs for FC Dallas. Denkey’s arrival, together with the presence of Evander Da Silva Ferreira, who scored 24 targets over the previous two seasons for the Portland Timbers, offers Cincinnati hope for a robust attacking season.
For the Purple Bulls, the defeat is a tricky begin to a yr through which they hope to bounce again after ending the 2023 common season with simply 47 points-the fewest ever for an MLS Cup finalist. They may look to rebound of their dwelling opener towards Nashville SC on Saturday.
In the meantime, Cincinnati will purpose to proceed its momentum once they face the Philadelphia Union on the street subsequent weekend.
