Evander plays villain as FC Cincinnati defeats Portland Timbers

Greeted by heckles and boos at his former stadium, midfielder Evander basked in the hostile environment.

In his return to Providence Park on Aug. 16, the Brazilian became the villain as he led FC Cincinnati to a 3-2 victory over his former club, the Portland Timbers.

Meanwhile, the Orange and Blue rose to the top of the Supporters' Shield race after squandering that chance just last week.

"After a relatively slow start for (Evander) on an individual level, he really grew into the game, and of course, had an impact on two of the goals, which is nothing new," FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan said.

A fast start for FC Cincinnati

Forward Kévin Denkey, who returned to the starting lineup after missing about a month of action, got FC Cincinnati on the board first, moments after the Orange and Blue almost conceded a goal.

The Timbers' Kevin Kelsy had a prime opportunity as he struck a header in front of the goal while banging with FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano, but his attempt hit the crossbar.

Moments later, Denkey seized the moment after midfielder Bucha played a ball to him that midfielder Evander smartly let through. The Togolese striker collected the ball, took a touch to his right to find space and slotted home a shot into the bottom corner of the net to deliver FC Cincinnati a 1-0 lead.

Bucha doubled the Orange and Blue's lead in the 25th minute when he picked out the top corner of the near side of the net with a powerful strike after receiving the ball from Evander.

In the 36th minute, Evander provided FC Cincinnati a 3-0 lead when he fired a curling ball into the top corner of the goal. Defender Matt Miazga supplied the assist after gaining possession from a poor pass by the Timbers.

After the finish, the Brazilian No. 10 held his arm up to his ear as he basked in Providence Park's boo's. Evander played two seasons with the Timbers, scoring 24 goals and logging 19 assists, before FC Cincinnati acquired him.

"They're allowed to do that," Evander said of the fans booing him. "They can do whatever they want. So, I was just focused on trying to represent Cincinnati, because that's the club that I'm playing for right now. And to win the game."

FC Cincinnati staves off Timbers' push

But only a minute later, Kelsy, a former FC Cincinnati player, responded by pulling a goal back to keep the Timbers in the match.

As tensions grew in the second half, the midfielder Stiven Jimenez made an ill-advised challenge in the box, which gave up a penalty kick for Kelsy to make the score 3-2.

Jimenez, who saw increased minutes during Leagues Cup, slotted into the midfield for his first MLS start, with midfielder Brian Anunga unavailable for selection after being sent off against Charlotte FC and Obinna Nwobodo still out with a long-term injury.

Soon after, forward Kei Kamara, who came on in the 59th minute, rang the crossbar after Evander cut back a ball across the box to him.

Later, Jimenez was wrapped up in defensive action again, but Timbers' shouts for a handball in the box went unfufilled in the 79th minute.

Ultimately, FC Cincinnati saw out their lead despite a barrage of chances from their opponents, with a couple of missed transition moments themselves.

"It certainly wasn't easy, and could have been a different outcome, so I'm pleased for the guys that they are able to experience that joy of a very important win tonight," Noonan said.

The sprint to the finish line continues at TQL Stadium

After entering the match third in the Supporters' Shield race, FC Cincinnati rose to first with 52 points after the second-place Philadelphia Union, on 51 points, lost to the New York Red Bulls.

Inter Miami, which beat the LA Galaxy, still control the shield race despite being fourth in the Eastern Conference because they have three games in hand over the top sides. Seven points behind FC Cincinnati, the Lionel Messi-led side still have the highest points potential.

"There (are) so many strong teams that are pushing for a Supporters' Shield," Noonan said. "The margins are small."

Finally checking off Portland from the cities FC Cincinnati has never traveled to since starting MLS play in 2019, the Orange and Blue have two places still to go — Carson, California, for the LA Galaxy, and San Diego for San Diego FC.

FC Cincinnati will travel to Carson later this season, but next on their slate is a home game against New York City FC on Aug. 23.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Evander plays villain as FC Cincinnati defeats Portland Timbers