Kevin Denkey scored a pair of goals — one in each half — to lead FC Cincinnati to a 2-1 home victory over Sporting Kansas City Saturday afternoon.

Denkey scored his first goal late in the first half, and then squashed Sporting KC’s comeback hopes with his second tally late in the second half.

Cincinnati (7-2-1, 22 points) remained unbeaten at home (4-0-1) in five home matches this season.

Sporting KC (2-7-1, 7 points) was trying to win back-to-back matches for the first time this season.

Sporting was on the front foot through the early part of the second half. SKC held a majority of possession early in the half and had more scoring opportunities.

The action picked up later in the half with both teams peppering the opposing goals with shots.

Denkey scored his second goal in the 78th minute. Denkey right-footed a shot from the center of the box to the upper right corner of the net. The goal was assisted by Luca Orellano.

Sporting KC drew within one goal in the 89th minute when Zorhan Bassong scored. Bassong, who came into the match in the 66th minute, took a pass from Erik Thommy in the center of the box and placed it in the upper-right corner.

But it was not enough for SKC.

Neither team could gain much of an advantage in the first half. Sporting Kansas City had more chances, with six shots compared to four for Cincinnati. But three of Cincinnati’s shots were on goal.

Cincinnati controlled nearly two-thirds of the possession, but they also committed five fouls (compared to SKC’s one) and the lone yellow card of the half.

The match looked to end the half in a scoreless draw, but Denkey found the back of the net in the 43rd minute. John Pulskamp deflected an initial shot from outside the box by Lukas Engel. The ball fell at Denkey’s feet in the right side of the box, and he one-timed it past Pulskamp for a 1-0 lead.

–Field Level Media