There was a time when you expected every Steph Curry three-pointer to go in, regardless of location. Perhaps that is where we stand in Evander’s career.
The Brazilian midfielder was the X-factor once again for FC Cincinnati (8-6-6, 30 pts.) on a rainy Wednesday night. His goal in extra time gave the Orange & Blue a 2-1 win and all three points in a challenging battle against New York City FC (7-5-8, 26 pts.)
While NYCFC equalized soon after a Kenji Mboma Dem goal in the first half, Roman Celentano stood big in the second half. His seven saves set the stage for Evander’s magic at the match’s denouement.
Head coach Pat Noonan was critical of play after the match but knew the importance of the outcome. “This is the first time before a game that we’ve talked about where we’re at. There’s still so much to play for everybody, but (New York) are a point behind us going into the game, and I want guys to recognize the importance of getting three points at home because it matters and it’s tight.
“Certainly, you go game by game, but this was an important three points in this particular game with NYC right behind us at the table. So that part, I think, is a huge win for us.”
The Orange & Blue opted to use a lot of their first-choice lineup after their 1-1 draw at Orlando on Saturday. Pavel Bucha remained in the lineup at wingback, having scored his fifth goal in seven matches since the World Cup.
Mboma Dem and Dado Valenzuela returned to the Starting XI, replacing Tom Barlow and Bryan Ramirez. Meanwhile, Samuel Gidi got a deserved break, with Kyle Smith taking his spot in the Back 3.
Of note, Obinna Nwobodo’s start was his 150th appearance for the Orange & Blue. His next appearance will put him fifth all-time for FC Cincinnati.
New York City were a wounded octet away from a full roster. Eight players rested with various leg injuries, including midfielder veteran Maxi Moralez, who is out with a ligament injury.
However, the Pigeons only made three changes to the starting lineup from their 3-2 loss to Philadelphia. Lead scorer Nico Fernandez returned after a yellow-card suspension, while Kevin O’Toole and Raul Gustavo returned to the back line.
First half
FC Cincinnati owned more of the possession in the first half (55/45), getting early looks in the first fifteen minutes. NYC were forced early to pluck passes away from Cincinnati in their half of the pitch.
The Orange & Blue broke through first before NYC took a shot. Kevin Denkey battled with the back line in the 11th minute, chasing a pass from Evander. The ball clattered to Kenji Mboma Dem, who calmly slid his shot past Matt Freese. His fifth in the MLS season made it 1-0.
The lead did not last long. In the 21st minute, Augustin Ojeda beat both Ender Echenique and Nwobodo to the back line. His pass found Luighi in the center of the box for an easy cleanup shot past Roman Celentano. The Brazilian striker’s second goal in two matches knotted the score at 1-1.
FCC lacked a clinical finish after Mboma Dem’s goal, lifting two shots quite high. Evander’s set piece in the 37th minute was caught easily by Freese in the center of the goal.
The latter part of the first half involved NYC piloting the counter with deep passing from the back. Nico Fernandez had the best opportunity late in the half, only for Miles Robinson to clog his shot enough to clear the ball.
Second half
Needless to say, the work by Celentano in goal kept Cincinnati alive in the second half. NYCFC’s movement on offense, combined with the sudden spells of rain, made his saves all the more crucial.
In the 46th minute, NYC immediately tested Celentano. While the goalkeeper couldn’t completely smother Fernandez’s first shot, he sprawled for a fingertip save on Luighi’s follow-up, deflecting it off the post.
Celentano again stymied Luighi in the 50th minute. The Brazilian had a one-on-one opportunity, only for Celentano to sprawl and save with his right leg.
Cincinnati had some more chances later in the half, but most were on tired legs. Mboma Dem had another breakaway in the 67th minute, only to stumble in the rain and fire wide of net.
Celentano needed two more saves in the 86th and 87th minute to set the stage.
In the first minute of added time, Bucha and Dado played passed to Freese’s left. Evander received the final tap, spun inside the box, and sizzled a left-footed shot past a flat-footed Freese. The captain’s 12th goal of the season was the difference maker and another argument for his MVP candidacy.
Photo: Jon Goldsberry
Evander emphasized the need for clear mentality over tired legs. “We know we’ve played a lot of games, and we know we are tired and that in the moments you need to have 100% concentration. You don’t miss those opportunities. That shows how strong we are as a team and how focused we were on winning the game.
“We were struggling a bit in the second half, but our mentality was good to keep up the focus and win the game.”
Celentano remained in awe after the match. “Whenever (Evander) shoots from anywhere, there’s always some belief that it can go in, because he’s done that all season. I mean, it’s just awesome. We’ve got a lot of great players, but Evander’s just different gravy, and it came through for us tonight.”
Noonan still wants more from his team despite the win. “Again, my tone seems critical because I want more. These guys should want more out of themselves and understand we can be sitting here talking about a draw, talking about a loss. Let’s not let the result confuse us because we can be better, and that’s what we’ll talk about. But there was still a lot of good stuff in the other periods of the game.”
Cincinnati’s win keeps them anchored in the center of the playoff push. While Nashville SC continue to stack wins, the win against an opponent close in the standings puts some distance from the pack. The Orange & Blue sit in fifth, nine points ahead of the playoff line. NYCFC fall to seventh.
Cincinnati remain in town for their last home match against the Western Conference, taking on a struggling Seattle squad on Saturday. NYCFC play the second of three on the road at New England on Sunday.
Major League Soccer, Match #20
FC Cincinnati vs. New York City FC
TQL Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Attendance: 23,717
Result: FC Cincinnati 2, New York City FC 1.
BOX SCORE
FC Cincinnati Starting XI (3-4-1-2):
Roman Celentano (GK); Miles Robinson, Matt Miazga (Teenage Hadebe 60′), Kyle Smith (Brian Anunga 83′); Pavel Bucha, Gerardo Valenzuela, Obinna Nwobodo (Samuel Gidi 72′), Ender Echenique (Bryan Ramirez 60′); Evander (C); Kenji Mboma Dem, Kevin Dénkey (Tom Barlow 72′).
Bench: Evan Louro, Nick Hagglund, Alvas Powell, Ayoub Jabbari.
New York City FC Starting XI (4-2-3-1):
Matt Freese (C – GK); Tayvon Gray, James Sands, Raul Gustavo, Kevin O’Toole (Nico Cavallo 75′); Keaton Parks (Jonathan Shore 75′), Andres Perea; Agustin Ojeda (Talles Magno 81′), Nicolas Fernandez, Benie Traore (Malachi Jones 64′); Luighi (Seymour Reid 64′).
Bench: Tomas Romero, Kevin Pierre, Max Murray, Mitja Ilenic.
Scoring summary:
CIN – Kenji Mboma Dem 11’ (unassisted)
NYC – Luighi 21’ (A. Ojeda)
CIN – Evander 90+1′ (Valenzuela)
Discipline:
YC – Matt Miazga 33’ (CIN, poor sportsmanship)
YC – Keaton Parks 36’ (NYC, foul)
YC – Obinna Nwobodo 50’ (CIN, foul)
YC – Luighi 55′ (NYC, foul)
YC – Nicolas Fernandez 74′ (NYC, poor sportsmanship)
YC – Samuel Gidi 82′ (CIN, foul)
Next Match:
Major League Soccer: vs. Seattle Sounders, 7:30 pm, Saturday, August 22nd; Apple+.
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