Denkey’s Late Equalizer Rescues FC Cincinnati in 3-3 Draw With Charlotte

Kévin Denkey delivered some late drama Saturday night, scoring in second-half stoppage time to lift FC Cincinnati to a 3-3 draw with Charlotte FC at TQL Stadium. The result moved the Orange and Blue to 8-8-8 with 32 points.

Cincinnati wasted no time getting on the board. Pavel Bucha scored in the second minute, giving FCC an early 1-0 advantage. Charlotte responded quickly, however, with Liel Abada equalizing in the seventh minute before Pep Biel struck in the 17th to put the visitors ahead 2-1.

The Orange and Blue responded after halftime, and Denkey brought Cincinnati level in the 51st minute. But the tie lasted only four minutes, as Idan Toklomati scored in the 55th minute to restore Charlotte’s advantage at 3-2.

That score held into stoppage time, putting Cincinnati on the verge of a third consecutive league defeat following lopsided losses to Nashville and Philadelphia.

Then Denkey delivered.

In the 91st minute, the Cincinnati striker found the equalizer for his second goal of the night, completing his brace and salvaging a point for the Orange and Blue.

The comeback was an important response for Cincinnati after Wednesday’s 5-0 loss at Philadelphia, a match in which FCC managed only one shot and played most of the night with 10 men following Obinna Nwobodo’s early red card.

While Cincinnati still couldn’t secure all three points, Denkey’s late heroics prevented another damaging defeat and gave the Orange and Blue something positive to build on.

FC Cincinnati returns to MLS action Saturday, September 19, on the road against Houston Dynamo FC.