For a Brazilian number 10 like Evander of FC Cincinnati, the weight of expectation is immense. “When you arrive from Brazil,” Evander explains, “people anticipate the `Jogo Bonito`—beautiful play. And it`s true; that`s what I strive to deliver: diverse plays, a touch of magic. My aim is for fans to revel in the beautiful game, enjoy our performance, and consistently witness us securing victories.”
Evander`s impressive goal tally of 15 from just 5.63 expected goals clearly demonstrates his exceptional talent, bringing significant benefits to Cincinnati. Although his current scoring rate is remarkably high, Evander possesses a keen eye for goal and the skill to convert opportunities after expertly creating space. Beyond his clinical finishing, Evander also plays a crucial role in linking up play with Kevin Denkey, forming a potent attacking partnership, and is adept at orchestrating dangerous set-piece situations.
Evander has skillfully embraced the pressure to perform and entertain, transforming it into consistent match-winning contributions. His stellar play has propelled Cincy to the pinnacle of the Eastern Conference, placing him in direct contention with Lionel Messi for the league`s Most Valuable Player award. Since his offseason move from the Portland Timbers, where he arrived to fill the shoes of former MVP Luciano Acosta, Evander has thrived under this pressure, driving Cincinnati forward. His seamless integration was facilitated by Head Coach Pat Noonan, who tailored the team`s system to maximize his new star`s abilities, and a recruitment strategy that saw him as a natural successor to Acosta.
Evander has established himself as one of MLS`s premier talents. Despite the MVP award`s perceived American focus, Evander openly declares his ambition for it, especially after his direct competition with Lionel Messi last season, where he was a finalist. Reflecting on that experience, Evander stated, “Having a great season last year and competing against one of the world`s best, Messi, was an incredible experience. Being among the top three MVP finalists alongside Messi and Cucho, both amazing players, made me realize I`m performing at a very high level. It`s an achievement I`m pursuing again this year, and throughout my entire career.”
This relentless drive has been a hallmark of Evander`s career since his early days at Vasco da Gama in Brazil. His current pursuit of excellence also highlights the profound “Messi effect” on the league. With the Argentine maestro elevating the standard of play in MLS, elite players across the league are pushing themselves to new heights to compete.
At 27, Evander is hitting the prime of his career, boasting 39 MLS goals since his 2023 arrival from Denmark`s Midtjylland. He has swiftly become a top-tier MLS player, even proving his mettle in direct encounters with Messi. Their clash on July 16 saw Evander net a brace, guiding Cincy to a dominant 3-0 victory.
Due to MLS scheduling peculiarities, a pivotal rematch in the MVP race is set for Saturday in Miami. Though Messi`s participation is uncertain given his absence from the All-Star game, Evander`s continued efforts to solidify Cincinnati`s top spot will only strengthen his compelling MVP candidacy. With aspirations for both the individual award and the Supporters` Shield (awarded for the league`s best regular-season record), it`s worth examining their statistical comparison.
Evander vs. Messi by the Numbers
| Stat | Evander | Messi |
|---|---|---|
| Games Played | 22 | 18 |
| Goals | 15 | 18 |
| Expected Goals | 5.63 | 12.38 |
| Assists | 8 | 10 |
*Includes secondary assists
What Makes an MVP?
The MLS MVP vote can often be influenced by compelling narratives. From a voter`s perspective, I prioritize several factors. Given MLS`s lack of promotion and relegation, a candidate`s team typically needs to be in a playoff position, unless their individual performance, like Christian Benteke winning the Golden Boot despite DC United missing the playoffs, is truly undeniable. While goals and assists are crucial, defensive contributions and goals prevented are also considered, allowing goalkeepers and defenders a chance, though the award predominantly goes to attacking players.
Furthermore, the impact of a player`s goals — whether they`re decisive game-changers or simply adding to an already established lead or deficit — is significant. A minor, yet important, consideration is “team value,” acknowledging players who achieve more with less talent surrounding them. By these criteria, Lionel Messi and Evander stand out as the leading contenders as the MLS regular season approaches its climax. However, a strong second tier of candidates includes players like Sam Surridge, Tai Baribo, Anders Dreyer, and Pep Biel.
Who is the Front-Runner?
As the season enters its final stages, the MVP race appears to be primarily a four-way contest involving Evander, Messi, Dreyer, and Pep Biel. All four have been instrumental in their respective teams` success, contributing significantly with goals and assists and helping secure playoff positions. While Messi benefits from the most talented supporting cast, his recent surge of eight goals in five MLS matches, including four braces post-Club World Cup elimination, is extraordinary. Evander has also demonstrated remarkable consistency. However, Anders Dreyer`s impact is undeniable; in San Diego FC`s inaugural season, he has propelled them to the top of the Western Conference with 11 goals and 14 assists. Even with expected star Hirving Lozano sidelined, Dreyer consistently stepped up. Pep Biel currently sits in a tier below, but his ability to drive Charlotte forward without Patrick Agyemang (who recently moved to Derby in England) could significantly boost his “doing more with less” argument.
Messi has made the fewest appearances among the quartet, with only 18 matches played. However, this count isn`t low enough to disqualify him; rather, it highlights the remarkable efficiency of his output. Despite playing three to four fewer matches than his rivals, he still boasts superior statistics. While the award is arguably Messi`s to lose, his presence has elevated the performance of players across the league. With 10 matchdays remaining, there`s still ample opportunity for shifts in the race, and Evander remains a strong contender.
