MLS: Denkey and Bouanga pay tribute to Aaron Boupendza

The memory of late Gabonese striker Aaron Boupendza was honored on Saturday evening by Boupendza’s former Major League Soccer club FC Cincinnati in their 3-2 victory at Chicago Fire.

Togolese striker Kévin Denkey scored in the victory, putting Cincinnati ahead 2-1 towards the end of the first half. A penalty kick from Brazilian attacker Evander put the visitors beyond reach of hosts Chicago, who held a minute of silence to honor former Cincinnati forward Boupendza.

Later on Saturday evening, one of Boupendza’s Gabon national teammates also paid tribute. Down 2-3 at Portland Timbers, Los Angeles FC were given a penalty kick and Denis Bouanga made no mistake to level the match. The explosive attacker immediately revealed a similar shirt to Denkey’s.

Boupendza played for Cincinnati during the 2023 and 2024 Major League Soccer seasons, scoring 9 goals in 35 appearances. He passed away at the age of 28 on April 16 after falling from a building while with Chinese club Zhejiang Professional.