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National Post

Denkey goal lifts high-flying FC Cincinnati past injury-depleted Toronto FC

Article content Kevin Denkey's first-half goal gave Eastern Conference-leading FC Cincinnati a 1-0 win over Toronto FC in MLS play Wednesday. Article content Article content The game was not as close as the scoreline indicated. Cincinnati could have had five goals had it not been for Toronto goalkeeper Sean Johnson. But it did reflect the gulf between the two in the standings. Article content Cincinnati (9-3-1) arrived 15 points ahead of 13th-place Toronto (2-7-4) in the standings and has now lost just one of its last eight league outings (6-1-1). And the visitors came as advertised — a well-drilled side rich in talent, able to move the ball around and beat defenders. Article content It could have been 3-0 at the break with Toronto's defence carved open several times. Article content A few kilometres to the east, the Toronto Maple Leafs hosted the Florida Panthers at Scotiabank Arena in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series while the Tampa Bay Rays took on the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Article content Attendance was announced at a season-low 14,018 with empty seats even in BMO Field's south stand that normally houses the supporters' groups, who have been at odds with the struggling club of late. Article content Cincinnati went ahead in the 18th minute via Denkey with its first shot on target. After Theo Corbeanu was dispossessed near the halfway line, the ball went to Denkey who danced through three defenders before curling a shot past Johnson for his seventh of the season — prompting boos to cascade from the stands. Article content Toronto fullback Raoul Petretta, who had needed medical treatment after tangling with DeAndre Yedlin minutes earlier, pulled up on the play and was substituted in the 20th minute. It went from bad to worse when Kobe Franklin, who replaced him, had to leave himself in the 36th minute after taking a knock in a challenge. Article content Cincinnati came close to doubling its lead in the 31st minute when defender Miles Robinson's header, off a corner from Brazilian playmaker Evander, hit the crossbar. Article content Toronto's first shot on target came in first-half stoppage time via Alonso Coello, whose volley from distance went straight at goalkeeper Roman Celentano. Article content Cincinnati tested Johnson early in the second half with dangerous shots from Evander and Gilberto Flores. Article content Lorenzo Insigne, fellow Italian Federico Bernardeschi and Norwegian forward Ola Brynhildsen had quiet evenings for Toronto, which brought on Tyrese Spicer, Derrick Etienne Jr. and Maxime Dominguez in the 69th minute in a bid to find some offence. Article content Toronto was coming off its first home win of the season, 2-0 over D.C. United on Saturday with Insigne scoring one goal and setting up another. Article content Since joining the league in 2019, Cincinnati has defeated Toronto more than any other opponent in MLS play. Cincinnati improved to 9-4-1 all-time against Toronto while head coach Pat Noonan is unbeaten against TFC (7-0-1), with Cincinnati's last loss to TFC a 3-2 decision in September 2021 at BMO Field.