Denkey's double propels cincinnati past red bulls
FC Cincinnati secured a decisive 2-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls Saturday night, a result that offers a welcome respite after a difficult stretch for the Ohio club. Kévin Denkey’s brace, coupled with a stellar performance from goalkeeper Roman Celentano, proved too much for a Red Bulls side struggling to find its footing.
Cincinnati's offensive spark
The match unfolded with a surprising urgency from Cincinnati, a team that has historically been slow to find its rhythm. Denkey opened the scoring in the fifth minute of stoppage time in the first half, converting a penalty earned after a foul drawn by Evander Da Silva Ferreira on young defender Joyeux Bungi. It marked only the third time this season Cincinnati has managed to score the opening goal, a statistic underscoring the shift in their tactical approach. The penalty, coolly dispatched by Denkey, put Cincinnati ahead and injected a palpable energy into the squad. Pavel Bucha and Gerardo Valenzuela each tallied assists on the play, with Valenzuela matching his career-high of three assists in a single season – a remarkable achievement in his first year with the club.
Denkey’s second goal, arriving in the 40th minute, further solidified Cincinnati’s advantage. The finish, again assisted by Bucha and Valenzuela, showcased Denkey’s growing confidence and predatory instincts in the box. Last season, he tallied an impressive 15 goals in 29 appearances; this season, he’s already notched six, demonstrating his continued impact on the team's attack. But there’s a nuance often missed: while last year’s goals were largely individual efforts, this season’s are demonstrably a product of a more cohesive offensive system.
Roman Celentano anchored the Cincinnati defense, stopping six Red Bulls shots and earning his second clean sheet of the season and his 37th in 128 career starts. Across the field, the Red Bulls’ Ethan Horvath managed three saves, but his efforts proved insufficient to prevent the shutout. The defeat continues a worrying slump for New York, who have gone winless in four games since defeating Cincinnati 4-2 earlier this month.
The debut of 19-year-old Tahir Reid-Brown, on a short-term loan from Orlando City B, provided a brief spark for the Red Bulls in the second half, but it wasn't enough to alter the game's trajectory. Cincinnati's victory underscores a growing tactical maturity, a stark contrast to the early-season struggles.
Cincinnati now travels to face the Chicago Fire on Saturday, while the Red Bulls host FC Dallas. The margin of victory, and the sheer efficiency of Cincinnati’s performance, suggests that the narrative surrounding this team is shifting – and perhaps, just perhaps, a genuine playoff push might be within reach.