For a Brazilian number 10, the spotlight is always intense, a sentiment Evander of FC Cincinnati knows well.
“Coming from Brazil carries immense expectations,” Evander explains, reflecting on the `Jogo Bonito` philosophy. “It`s about delivering those unique, magical plays. My aim is for fans to not only savor beautiful football but also to witness a team consistently striving for victory in every match. There`s truly no greater satisfaction than combining an attractive style of play with consistent wins.”
Evander`s impressive tally of 15 goals from a mere 5.63 expected goals is nothing short of extraordinary, and FC Cincinnati is certainly reaping the benefits. While this performance suggests a degree of overachievement, Evander demonstrates a fearless approach to shooting, often creating space through masterful dribbling before finding the back of the net. Beyond his scoring prowess, he forms a formidable attacking partnership with Kevin Denkey and proves equally effective in orchestrating plays from set pieces.
Evander has skillfully transformed the pressure to perform and entertain into a catalyst for his peak performance, consistently proving to be a game-changer. His contributions have propelled Cincy to the top of the Eastern Conference, placing him in a direct contest with Lionel Messi for the league`s Most Valuable Player award. He seamlessly embraced the challenge of leading Cincinnati after his offseason move from the Portland Timbers, stepping into the shoes of former MVP Luciano Acosta. His rapid integration was facilitated by head coach Pat Noonan, who tailored the team`s system to complement his new star, aligning perfectly with the club`s strategic recruitment to find a natural successor for Acosta.
Having established himself as one of MLS`s premier talents, Evander is acutely aware of his desire for the MVP award, an accolade often perceived as American-centric. He competed directly against Messi for the honor last season, finishing as a top finalist.
“Last season was incredible, especially competing against Lionel Messi, one of the world`s best,” Evander recounted. “Being among the top three MVP finalists, alongside Messi and Cucho, really showed me I`m performing at a high level. This is an award I`m striving for again this year, and for the remainder of my career.”
This relentless drive has been a hallmark of Evander`s career since his early days at Vasco da Gama in Brazil. His current trajectory also highlights the broader “Messi effect” on the league; with the Argentine maestro setting unprecedented standards in MLS, elite players across the league are elevating their own games to compete.
At just 27, Evander is entering the prime of his career, boasting 39 MLS goals since his 2023 transfer from Midtjylland in Denmark. His status as a top-tier MLS player was notably demonstrated when he faced Messi directly on July 16, scoring two goals to secure a dominant 3-0 victory for Cincy.
Due to MLS scheduling peculiarities, the two will clash again in Miami this Saturday, in a match poised to significantly influence the MVP race. While Messi`s participation remains uncertain (due to his absence from the All-Star game), Evander`s continued efforts to solidify Cincinnati`s lead at the top of the league will undoubtedly strengthen his compelling MVP candidacy. As he aims for both the individual award and the Supporters` Shield for the best regular-season record, let`s compare Evander`s performance with Messi`s.
Evander vs. Messi: Statistical Overview
| Stat | Evander | Messi |
|---|---|---|
| Games Played | 22 | 18 |
| Goals | 15 | 18 |
| Expected Goals | 5.63 | 12.38 |
| Assists* | 8 | 10 |
*Includes secondary assists
Defining an MVP
While the MVP vote can sometimes be influenced by broader narratives, as a voter myself, I seek specific criteria. Given MLS`s lack of promotion/relegation, a player`s team typically needs to be in a playoff position, though exceptional individual performances (like Christian Benteke winning the Golden Boot despite D.C. United missing playoffs) can be an exception. Goals and assists are crucial, but defensive contributions and goals prevented for goalkeepers and defenders are also considered, although attackers predominantly win the award.
Furthermore, it`s vital to assess whether a player`s goals decisively change game outcomes or merely add to an existing lead or deficit. Team value—the ability to achieve more with less talent around them—is also a minor but significant factor. By these metrics, Messi and Evander stand out as the primary contenders as the MLS regular season approaches its climax. However, a strong secondary tier of players, including Sam Surridge, Tai Baribo, Anders Dreyer, and Pep Biel, also remain in contention.
Current Front-Runners
As the season enters its final phase, the MVP race appears to be primarily contested among four players: Evander, Messi, Dreyer, and Pep Biel. Each has played a pivotal role in their respective teams` goal-scoring and assist totals, driving them towards playoff contention. Messi, despite being surrounded by ample talent, has demonstrated extraordinary output, netting eight goals in his last five MLS matches, including four braces, following Miami`s Club World Cup elimination. Evander has also maintained impressive consistency. Anders Dreyer`s impact is undeniable; in San Diego FC`s inaugural season, he has been instrumental in placing them atop the Western Conference with 11 goals and 14 assists. Even when star player Hirving Lozano was sidelined, Dreyer consistently stepped up to carry the team forward. Pep Biel ranks slightly below them, but if he can continue to perform strongly for Charlotte without Patrick Agyemang, who recently moved to Derby in England, his “doing more with less” factor could significantly boost his case.
Messi has played the fewest matches among this quartet, with only 18 appearances. However, this lower game count does not disqualify him; rather, it underscores the remarkable efficiency of his output. Despite playing three to four fewer matches than his counterparts, he still boasts superior statistics. The award is arguably Messi`s to lose, but with his presence inspiring higher performance levels across the league, there remains an opportunity for Evander and others to shift the balance over the final ten matchdays of the season.
