Kevin Denkey's winner lifts Cincinnati over Nashville

Kevin Denkey scored from the penalty spot in second-half stoppage time and visiting FC Cincinnati completed a 2-1 victory over Nashville SC on Saturday night.

Denkey's third goal of the campaign completed a first away win for Cincinnati (3-2-1, 10 points) after Evander's fourth pulled the visitors level just before halftime on a direct free kick.

Cincy's Roman Celentano saved Hany Mukhtar's second-half penalty kicks among his seven stops to keep the match level.

Josh Bauer scored his second career MLS goal and second in as many matches for Nashville, but Mukhtar's PK failure was the third this season for Nashville (3-2-1, 10 points), coming in its first home defeat.

Nashville defender Walker Zimmerman previously earned the penalty that could've given the hosts the lead, but was whistled for a handball by referee Drew Fischer while trying to defend Corey Baird as the clock ticked over 90 minutes.

Denkey, who entered as a second-half sub after returning from international duty, stepped up in the first minute of stoppage time, hesitated in his approach, and then drove his penalty to the left as Joe Willis lunged in the opposite direction.

Nashville had a couple good looks to level in the dying moments. Teal Bunbury came closest almost immediately following Denkey's tally, but fired his header narrowly over the crossbar.

Evander pulled Cincinnati level on a free kick he won himself by inducing Zimmerman into a foul about 25 yards from goal.

With a five-man defensive wall trying to guard the near post, Evander drove a shot that may have slightly skimmed off one of those defenders on its way over top of the wall and then inside the top near corner.

Early in the second half, Celentano made three spectacular saves in the space of two minutes.

First he dove left to deny Mukhtar's effort from the spot, raising his trailing arm just in time to send it wide of the frame.

Then he reacted superbly to thwart both Alex Muyl and Sam Surridge at the back post in the 50th minute.

--Field Level Media