Sporting KC competed with Cincinnati, until this stunning goal changed the game

Sporting KC looked to make it three wins out of four when it traveled to play FC Cincinnati at TQL Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

After conceding seven goals in two games, Sporting KC played a more organized game and competed well for most of the match against FC Cincinnati.

But Kevin Denkey, FC Cincinnati’s big-money striker acquisition in the offseason, scored once in each half, including a stunning bicycle kick in the second half to lead FC Cincinnati over Sporting KC 2-1.

“I believe that was our best game of the year,” said interim coach Kerry Zavagnin. “You can never control the result, although we think we can ... it took a goal of the year to beat us today.”

Sporting’s goal came in the 90th minute while down 2-0, courtesy of Zorhan Bassong, a second-half substitute. It was the first goal of Bassong’s career.

On the positive side, Sporting did a good job of eliminating Cincinnati’s playmaker, Evander, from being able to dictate the game.

While the home team kept more possession, Sporting KC managed the Cincinnati attack well until just before halftime.

That was when a Cincinnati pass into the midfield and two quick passes led to a shot from Lukas Engel. While goalkeeper John Pulskamp made the save, the rebound went straight to Denkey for his first goal of the day.

“Organizationally, from the defensive perspective, it was one moment,” Zavagnin said. “The goal that they scored there was one moment. We’re getting better and better in what and how we’re looking at defending the game.”

Sporting (2-7-1) came out strong in the second half and threatened for an equalizer but couldn’t convert. The stage was set for Denkey’s stunning goal.

A hopeful cross found Denkey with his back to the goal before he pulled off a stunning overhead kick with the perfect power and placement to get past Pulskamp. The strike doubled the home team’s lead in the 78th minute.

Zavagnin’s first thought on the sideline was, “You’ve got to be kidding me.” He felt like Sporting defended the wide space well ... but sometimes you just have to tip your cap.

“It’s what people want to see in the game,” Zavagnin said. “They want to see entertainment. And I don’t like the result, but that was entertaining.”

Bassong roofed a shot with his weaker right foot past the Cincinnati goalkeeper in the 90th minute, thanks to a feed from Erik Thommy. However, Sporting couldn’t find a winner in the remaining three minutes of stoppage time.

After the game, Bassong dedicated the goal to the staff and his teammates.

“I feel like they always have my back,” Bassong said. “My teammates, too. They’re helping to push me through my limits on every training session, every week. I feel really proud.”

Bassong entered late in the game, but he felt like the team could’ve come away with more from the match.

“We didn’t get the result, but it was one of the best — probably the best game of our year,” Bassong said. “There’s a lot of good things, a lot of things we can actually build on.”

Up next: Sporting KC will host the reigning MLS Cup champions, the Los Angeles Galaxy, next Sunday night, a 6 p.m. prime-time kickoff between the two MLS originals.

Daniel Sperry covers soccer for The Star. He can be reached at sperry.danielkc@gmail.com.

This story was originally published April 26, 2025 at 4:03 PM.