Ghanaian footballers continued to make their presence felt in Major League Soccer (MLS), with Samuel Gidi and Ronald Donkor producing notable performances during Wednesday’s midweek fixtures in the United States.
While Gidi celebrated his first goal for FC Cincinnati, Donkor provided an assist for New York Red Bulls. However, both players ended the night with their teams failing to secure victories.
Ghanaian defender Samuel Gidi enjoyed a memorable evening as FC Cincinnati drew 2–2 with Inter Miami in an entertaining encounter at Nu Stadium.
After a goalless first half, Inter Miami took control through Luis Suárez in the 61st minute. Cincinnati responded late, with Kenji Mboma Dem equalising in the 80th minute before Gidi struck six minutes later to put the visitors ahead.
The Ghanaian found the net in the 86th minute, scoring his first goal in a Cincinnati shirt and giving his side hope of securing a crucial victory.
However, Inter Miami rescued a point when Riquelme Fillipi scored in the 90th minute, leaving Cincinnati to settle for a 2–2 draw.
Despite the disappointment of conceding so late, Gidi’s contribution was a significant personal milestone and another positive moment for a Ghanaian player competing at the highest level of North American club football.
Meanwhile, Ronald Donkor also delivered an important contribution, providing an assist for Cade Cowell as New York Red Bulls suffered a narrow 3–2 defeat to New England Revolution.
The Red Bulls fell two goals behind after Dor Turgeman scored in the ninth minute and again immediately after the restart.
Donkor helped his side fight back when he set up Cowell’s 51st-minute goal. Julian Hall subsequently brought New York level at 2–2 in the 64th minute, raising hopes of a comeback.
But Dániel Gazdag struck in the 83rd minute to hand New England all three points.
Donkor was substituted in the 84th minute after a hardworking performance. He also received a first-half yellow card, which means he will miss New York’s upcoming encounter against Nashville SC through suspension.
Elsewhere, Ghanaian forward Ezekiel Alladoh started for Philadelphia Union in their 0–0 draw against Nashville SC.
Alladoh was substituted in the 69th minute after struggling to make a significant attacking impact in a tightly contested encounter. He registered no shots, while Philadelphia secured a valuable point and confirmed their qualification for the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Ghanaian defender Maxwell Woledzi also started for Nashville, helping his team keep a clean sheet. Woledzi, however, missed a promising headed opportunity in the 80th minute that could have secured victory for the hosts.
Shak Mohammed was named among Nashville’s substitutes but was not introduced.
The latest round of fixtures once again highlighted the contributions of Ghanaian and Ghanaian-born footballers in the MLS.
Gidi’s maiden goal for Cincinnati and Donkor’s assist for the Red Bulls provided the headline moments, while Alladoh and Woledzi also featured for their respective clubs.
For Ghanaian football followers, the performances offer another opportunity to track the development of players competing abroad and assess their progress as the MLS season approaches its decisive stage.
By: Benjamin Daniel Akoi Yamoah/newsalertgh.com
