Kenji Mboma Dem rescues short-handed Cincinnati with late goal

FC Cincinnati earns 1-1 draw against Toronto FC after conceding an own goal

Apr. 11, 2026 at 9:06pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the chaotic final moments of a soccer match, with abstracted player forms and a sense of dynamic motion and energy.An abstract, cubist-inspired illustration captures the intensity and drama of the late-game heroics that earned FC Cincinnati a hard-fought road point against Toronto FC.Cincinnati Today

Kenji Mboma Dem scored a short-handed goal in the 92nd minute to earn FC Cincinnati a 1-1 draw against Toronto FC on Saturday. Cincinnati played a man down for the final 20 minutes after Kévin Denkey was sent off with two yellow cards. Toronto had taken the lead in the 83rd minute on an own goal by Gilberto Flores, but Mboma Dem's late strike salvaged a point for the visitors.

Why it matters

The draw keeps Cincinnati in the hunt in the Eastern Conference playoff race, despite their recent struggles with red cards. Toronto missed out on a chance to gain ground in the standings with a home win over the conference leaders.

The details

Mboma Dem subbed in for Bryan Ramírez in the 88th minute and then used assists from Ayoub Jabbari and Samuel Gidi to score the equalizer in the second minute of stoppage time. Denkey was sent off in the 71st minute after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession, leaving Cincinnati short-handed. Toronto had taken the lead when Flores accidentally deflected the ball into his own net in the 83rd minute.

  • Denkey was sent off in the 71st minute.
  • Toronto took the lead in the 83rd minute.
  • Mboma Dem scored the equalizer in the 92nd minute.

The players

Kenji Mboma Dem

A substitute who scored the late equalizing goal for FC Cincinnati.

Kévin Denkey

The FC Cincinnati player who was sent off in the 71st minute, leaving his team short-handed.

Gilberto Flores

The Toronto FC defender who scored an own goal to give his team the lead in the 83rd minute.

Ayoub Jabbari

The FC Cincinnati player who provided an assist on Mboma Dem's late goal.

Samuel Gidi

The FC Cincinnati player who also provided an assist on Mboma Dem's late goal.

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What they’re saying

“I knew how good I was, I knew I could help the team, so it was hard. But at the same time, you know, I got an opportunity.”

— Kyle Smith, FC Cincinnati defender

What’s next

Cincinnati will look to build on the draw when they host the Chicago Fire next Saturday, while Toronto will try to bounce back at home against Austin FC.

The takeaway

Despite playing a man down for the final 20 minutes, FC Cincinnati showed resilience to earn a valuable road point against a tough Toronto FC squad. The late goal by Mboma Dem highlighted the team's depth and fighting spirit as they continue to navigate a challenging early season schedule.