Major League Soccer clubs made a big splash in the transfer market and several African national team stars were among the major signings who made their debuts as MLS kicked off its 2025 season on Saturday.
In the early evening matches, MLS record signing Emmanuel Latte Lath enjoyed a sparkling start to life at Atlanta United. Signed for over €21 million from Middlesbrough in the EFL Championship, the 26-year-old Ivorian scored twice as Atlanta marched to a 3-2 victory over CF Montréal. The former Atalanta youth product nodded in a corner kick to open his account close to halftime.
Montréal leveled early in the second half but Latte Lath struck again soon after the hour mark. The Abidjan native was in the right place to finish after a miscommunication in the Montréal defense. Edwin Mosquera won it late on for Atlanta in a thrilling start to the campaign for the home side.
Another significant signing saw Chicago Fire bring in another Ivorian international, Jonathan Bamba, from Spanish La Liga side Celta Vigo. The former Lille star produced two assists as Chicago fell short in a 2-4 result at Columbus Crew.
Kévin Denkey enjoyed an excellent start to life with FC Cincinnati after the Togolese striker's €15 million move from Belgian football. After scoring against Honduran club Motagua in his competitive debut with Cincinnati in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, Denkey got on the end of a long ball from DeAndre Yedlin to score the only goal in Cincinnati's opening 1-0 victory over New York Red Bulls to open MLS play.
Cameroon was also well represented with Ignatius Ganago enjoying a promising debut for New England Revolution after joining on loan from FC Nantes. Midfielder Boris Enow scored his first MLS goal for DC United on Saturday in a 2-2 draw against Toronto FC, something the club from the American capital will hope for more of after an indifferent start in the second half of last season.
Finally, Ghanaian winger Osman Bukari joined Austin FC from Red Star Belgrade midway through last season for €7 million and expectations are high for the Accra Lions youth product. A match winning goal in Austin's 1-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City wasn't the most stylish but Bukari will be grateful even if the ball went in off his face.
It will be an interesting season in MLS where African stars continue to add quality to a league that is rising rapidly in prestige and level of play. Stay tuned for more on which players are making noise in the American top flight.
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