No love lost! Evander scores ruthless golazo at Portland Timbers

Evander made his impact felt in his return to Portland.

Playing against his former club for the first time since his MLS-record trade to FC Cincinnati, the All-Star Brazilian midfielder unleashed a beautiful curling strike in the first half – setting off boos from a hostile Providence Park crowd in an eventual 3-2 win for the Orange & Blue.

Evander, who left Portland under less-than-friendly circumstances, gave it right back to the fans, gesturing for them to get even louder by holding his hand to his ear during his goal celebration in front of the Timbers Army.

“He really grew into the game and had an impact on two of the goals, which is nothing new,” head coach Pat Noonan said post-match.

“He’s been what he’s been all year for us: a difference maker.”

Tense reunion

Facing the ire of the Portland faithful, Evander was heavily involved as Cincinnati built a comfortable first-half lead. His dummy unlocked space for Kévin Denkey on FCC’s first goal, and he provided an assist to Pavel Bucha before his 36th-minute golazo.

Under hostile circumstances, he played off the tense energy in the stadium as the visitors held off a Kevin Kelsy-inspired Timbers rally to escape with all three points.

“It shows that we’re together as a team,” Evander said. “We’re a team. They felt the same way that I did.

"Even before the start of the game, we’re together on the pitch and they’re like, ‘Let’s do this for Evander.’”

Cincy's MVP man

The 27-year-old continues to stake a compelling case for the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award, with 16g/9a this season.

That didn't impress Portland fans, who witnessed Evander produce 15g/19a last year for the Timbers as the Brazilian finished third in the 2024 MVP race won by Inter Miami CF superstar Lionel Messi.

“I wasn’t expecting them to cheer, but the song was a little too much for me,” Evander said afterward, referring to a pre-game chant from supporters groups.

“I’m one hundred percent focused on what I’m doing on the pitch. I never had a problem with them. I didn’t do anything wrong with the players and the fans here.

"They can do whatever they want," Evander added. "I was just focused on trying to represent Cincinnati because that’s the team I play for now.”

Supporters' Shield push

Noonan noted that the intense atmosphere at Providence Park can serve as a test for his players going forward.

“That was a playoff environment,” he told reporters. “Credit to the fans tonight. It makes the game more enjoyable and more meaningful, because they were in it from the beginning.

"The second half was what a road game feels like in a great environment in the playoffs. It’s a good experience for us.”

Making the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs is just one objective for Cincinnati, who moved into first place in the Eastern Conference, one point ahead of the Philadelphia Union.

The Orange & Blue could also potentially end Matchday 29 atop the Supporters' Shield standings.

“We know what we’re going for,” Evander said. “Our focus is to win these games and keep up the run.”