MLS: Denkey begins 2026 season with match winner for FC Cincinnati

The 2026 Major League Soccer (MLS) season kicked off on Saturday and it was Kévin Denkey who provided the first match-winning goal of the new campaign in FC Cincinnati’s 2-0 victory over Atlanta United.

Kévin. Denkey. 😎@fccincinnati on top in the 80th minute! pic.twitter.com/YBF5a7jQ43

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 21, 2026

With the match tied at 0-0 in the 80th minute, Cincinnati wing-back Ender Echenique got free on the right flank and was off to the races. With only one defender between him and the goal, the Venezuelan crossed low to find Denkey.

The Togolese striker waited for his moment, drawing Atlanta goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos onto the ground before finishing low.

Defender Nick Hagglund added the second goal in the 90th minute to finish off the result, making the Ohio club the first team to earn a victory in the new season. Earlier on Saturday, Wilfried Zaha helped Charlotte FC fight back for a 1-1 draw at St. Louis City.

Denkey met high expectations last year in his debut season with 18 goals in 37 appearances. However, despite an excellent regular season that saw them finish second on the Eastern Conference table, the club fell in the quarterfinals of the league’s playoffs with a 0-4 drubbing to Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.

Kévin Denkey MLS 2026 Opener Breaks the Deadlock

The breakthrough arrived in the 80th minute and showcased patience, precision, and composure.

Wing-back Ender Echenique burst forward down the right flank with pace and purpose. With only one defender left to beat, the Venezuelan delivered a low cross into the box.

That is where the Kévin Denkey MLS 2026 opener took center stage.

The Togolese striker timed his movement perfectly, drawing Atlanta goalkeeper Lucas Hoyos to the ground before calmly finishing low into the net. It was a striker’s goal — composed, intelligent, and clinical.

The strike not only broke the deadlock but also ignited the home supporters, who had been waiting for a defining moment.

Cincinnati Close It Out in Style

Atlanta pushed forward in search of an equalizer, but Cincinnati remained disciplined at the back. As the match entered stoppage time, defender Nick Hagglund sealed the victory with a late second goal in the 90th minute.

The 2-0 result made Cincinnati the first club to secure three points in the 2026 MLS campaign — a symbolic and morale-boosting achievement.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the league, Wilfried Zaha helped Charlotte FC recover for a 1-1 draw against St. Louis City SC, highlighting the competitive start to the new season.

Building on a Strong 2025 Campaign

The Kévin Denkey MLS 2026 opener builds on what was already a promising start to life in the United States for the Togolese international.

Last season, Denkey lived up to high expectations in his debut MLS campaign, scoring 18 goals in 37 appearances across all competitions. His physical presence, sharp movement, and eye for goal made him one of the league’s most dangerous forwards.

Despite finishing second in the Eastern Conference during the regular season, Cincinnati’s playoff journey ended in disappointment. A heavy 4-0 defeat to Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF in the quarterfinals left the club determined to start the new campaign with renewed focus.