Evander hits Messi-esque levels of production for FC Cincinnati

Evander has set new standards for production at FC Cincinnati, with his play reminiscent of Messi's. The Brazilian All-Star playmaker's impressive performance led to Inter Miami CF's 2-0 victory over D.C. United at Audi Field. He opened the scoring with a remarkable long-range goal, mirroring Messi's signature strike, and went on to set up Tom Barlow's crucial goal, adding to his impressive record of 15 assists in 2026.

Evander became only the second player in MLS history, after the legendary Argentine, to achieve this feat in three consecutive seasons. The Orange & Blue's coach, Pat Noonan, praised Evander's consistently masterful displays. Guided by this prodigious talent, FC Cincinnati secured their seventh-place standing in the Eastern Conference standings, keeping them in contention for the MLS Cup Playoffs mix.

Evander's contributions have been pivotal to the team, with his 29 goal contributions (14 goals, 15 assists) being a team-best and putting him one goal away from achieving at least 30 for the third consecutive season. His goal against D.C. United also marked the end of a seven-game goalless streak, a drought that had lasted nearly two months.

Evander's performance was a highlight of the match, providing a much-needed boost to FC Cincinnati's chances of securing a postseason berth. The team now turns their attention to their final three regular-season games, which feature a visit from Messi and defending champions Inter Miami on Wednesday. Evander emphasized the importance of their upcoming matches, stating that they cannot afford to lose any more points, regardless of the venue.