Panamanian Mijahir Jiménez shines with a brace in his first MLS start

Panama's football scene celebrated a historic night in Major League Soccer as 19-year-old forward Mijahir Jiménez netted a brace for the New York Red Bulls. Jiménez scored twice in the team's 3-2 win against Orlando City, marking a significant achievement in his young career.

His performance was particularly noteworthy as it was his first start in the MLS. Jiménez opened the scoring in the 23rd minute and added another goal in the 60th, securing a 3-1 lead for his team. This accomplishment places him in the Red Bulls' record books, as he is only the second player in the club's history to score two goals in his inaugural start, a feat previously achieved by Cornell Glen in 2004.

Jiménez, who hails from the province of Colón, joined the first team through a Short-Term Agreement, a mechanism in MLS that allows clubs to utilize players from their MLS NEXT Pro affiliates without using a senior roster spot. This was not his MLS debut, as he had been activated for previous matches, but his two goals against Orlando solidified his impact. He also became the fifth Panamanian to play for the New York Red Bulls and the first to play as a center forward and score for the club.

His journey began at CD Plaza Amador in Panama, where he debuted at 16, becoming the institution's youngest-ever forward to play for the senior team. After a loan spell where he scored a hat-trick for Red Bull New York II, his current loan with the U.S. franchise extends until December 31, 2026. His market value, as of June 2, 2026, is estimated at 50,000 euros.