Miami (AFP) – Cincinnati striker Kevin Denkey scored twice, including a perfectly executed bicycle kick, as the Ohio team beat Sporting Kansas City 2-1 in Major League Soccer on Saturday. The 24-year-old Togo international striker cost Cincinnati a club record fee of over $16 million when he was signed from Belgian club Cercle Brugge in January, and he showed exactly why he was so highly rated with his stunning strike.
After Kansas City failed to clear a corner, Luca Orellano crossed into a crowded area, and Denkey leapt in the air and fired home the spectacular volley to put his team 2-0 up in the 78th minute. Denkey had opened the scoring in the 43rd minute, following up after Lukas Engel’s left-foot shot had been parried out by John Pulskamp. KC pulled a goal back through a Zorhan Bassong blast in the 89th minute, but Cincinnati held on for the three points.
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“There are not many words to describe what he did,” FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan told reporters about Denkey’s wonder-strike. “It was one of the best goals I’ve seen in person, certainly.” The seventh win in 10 games moves Cincinnati to the top of the Eastern Conference standings ahead of Saturday’s later games, and Denkey said the team are getting their reward for their efforts.
“It’s amazing. We knew that we are a competitive team. What’s working is the hard work, the focus, and the winning mentality we have every time we step on the field,” Denkey told Apple TV. The Philadelphia Union are in second spot, three points behind Cincinnati, after they enjoyed a convincing 3-0 win over D.C. United.
Norwegian defender Jakob Glesnes opened the scoring with a 15th-minute volley before midfielder Danley Jean-Jacques doubled the lead with an emphatic strike seven minutes after the interval. Substitute Bruno Damiani added the third with a well-taken individual effort in the 77th minute. Noah Eile headed home from a corner as the New York Red Bulls defeated Montreal 1-0, while an Alonso Martinez penalty gave New York City FC a 1-0 win at Toronto.
Later on Saturday, Orlando City host Atlanta United while in-form Charlotte take on the New England Revolution. In the West, newcomers San Diego FC are at home to Real Salt Lake, and there is a Texan derby between Houston and Austin. Inter Miami face FC Dallas on Sunday.
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