FC Cincinnati's Kevin Denkey brings hot foot to Philadelphia

Field Level Media|published: Thu 27th February, 21:42 2025

Feb 26, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; FC Cincinnati forward Kevin Denkey (9) battles for the ball against FC Motagua defender Giancarlos Sacaza (34) in the first half at TQL Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Kevin Denkey will look to continue his scoring surge when he leads FC Cincinnati into their match against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night in Chester, Pa.

Denkey scored his third goal in three matches (all competitions) to help FC Cincinnati pull a 1-1 draw versus FC Motagua on Wednesday in the second leg of the first round of CONCACAF Champions Cup play. He also tallied in his team's 4-1 victory over FC Motagua on Feb. 19 and the 1-0 win over the New York Red Bulls last Saturday in its MLS opener.

Denkey has hit the ground running since joining FC Cincinnati from Cercle Brugge in Belgium's top flight, where he won the 2023-24 Golden Boot with 27 goals. The 24-year-old Togo international came with plenty of fanfare given he signed with the MLS club following a then-league-record incoming transfer fee of $16.2 million.

"I'm prepared," Denkey said, per the Cincinnati Enquirer. "When I saw this project, I knew directly that it was meant for me. ... You know, I think we are not yet 100 percent because there is a lot of players who don't have the (chemistry) together yet. But we are still doing good, so it's good. When we'll be 100 percent, we'll be very, very tough."

Roman Celentano made three saves against the Red Bulls to notch his 25th MLS regular-season shutout.

Like FC Cincinnati (1-0-0, 3 points), Philadelphia (1-0-0, 3 points) won its MLS season opener. Tai Baribo led the way by scoring two goals in a 4-2 decision against Orlando City last Saturday.

The Union will see a boost to their lineup this Saturday in the form of new striker Bruno Damiani and defender Nathan Harriel, per manager Bradley Carnell.

Signed to a club-record transfer fee, Damiani's visa paperwork has been cleared while Harriel has nursed his quadriceps back to health.

"Nate's trending in the right direction," Carnell said, per the Philadelphia Inquirer. "He's been training with us this week, full-go, so he definitely belongs to the available roster."

--Field Level Media