Debutant goalscorers light up MLS opening weekend

The key question for Atlanta fans in 2025 revolved around the team's attack. Could fast, creative runners like Latte Lath and returning hero Miguel Almiron combine with Russian striker Aleksei Miranchuk and unlock his goalscoring potential? Early signs point to yes. The trio combined for some eyebrow-raising moves on opening day and look set to terrorize the Eastern Conference.

Kevin Denkey, FC Cincinnati: When Latte Lath set the all-time MLS transfer record this winter, he broke one set mere weeks before by FC Cincinnati and Togolese striker Kevin Denkey. He arrived for $16.2 million last November with one mission: to help Cincy score more goals when it counted.

Consider that done. Denkey scored the winner on opening day against the New York Red Bulls — the team that took Cincy out of the last MLS Cup Playoffs — to cap off a strong showing. His goal wasn't particularly flashy, but it was composed, thoughtful and easily repeatable ... and that makes Denkey look exactly like the attacking upgrade Cincy needed. 

Jeremy Ebobisse, Los Angeles FC:  Ebobisse isn't exactly a newcomer to MLS. He's been bouncing around the league since 2017, putting in shifts for teams like the Portland Timbers and the San Jose Earthquakes. But he is a newcomer at LAFC, and in his first game for the club, he did the best thing he could've done: scored a rocket of a strike against the run of play to hand his team the kind of clean 1-0 victory it adores.

Ebobisse hit his goal seconds before he was substituted in favor of World Cup winner Olivier Giroud. When Giroud fluffed a chance a few minutes later, he left fans and pundits wondering whether Ebobisse would've put it away in his place. That means LAFC finally has some competition in its front line ... and that's great news for fans of the Black and Gold.

Marco Pasalic, Orlando City SC: Poor Pasalic. His Orlando City looked awful on opening day, leaking four embarrassing goals to the Philadelphia Union. But those mistakes weren't Pasalic's fault, and he did everything in his power to bring Orlando back into the game. His two goals saved some blushes and earned him plenty of respect amid the chaos. Orlando's lucky to have Pasalic. Based on this first game, he's the best thing it's got going for it in 2025.

MLS Matchday 1 continues on Sunday, Feb. 23, with the Portland Timbers taking on the Vancouver Whitecaps and the defending champion L.A. Galaxy taking on debut club San Diego FC.