All-Star midfielder Evander set an FC Cincinnati record with a goal in his fifth consecutive match in a 3-0 win over visiting Inter Miami Wednesday night.
Evander’s left-footed shot from the center of the box found the bottom right corner of the net to double Cincinnati’s lead early in the second half.
It was the first of two goals Evander scored in the half, after coming up empty on multiple shot attempts in the first half. The two goals bring his goal total to 15 in MLS regular-season competition.
Miami’s offensive struggles combined with Cincinnati’s stellar back line spelled the end of the Herons’ five-match winning streak. They were handed their first regular-season loss since May 18.
Cincinnati striker Gerardo Valenzuela drew first blood in the 16th minute when his left-footed shot from the left side of the box found the lower-right corner of the net for a 1-0 lead. It was Valenzuela’s fourth goal of the season.
It was a first half Cincinnati (14-6-3, 45 points) controlled for most of the 45 minutes and six minutes of extra time, frequently entering the box and unleashing shots on goal. Cincinnati had seven shots, four on goal, in the first half and finished the night with 11 and six, respectively.
FC Cincinnati’s defense also kept superstar Lionel Messi and the rest of the Herons (11-4-5, 38 points) in check throughout the first half. Every opportunity Miami had was thwarted by Cincinnati’s strong back line.
Messi had two shot attempts late in the first half, but neither of them were converted to tie the match. His first shot was blocked by Cincinnati defender Lukas Engel, and Messi’s second attempt was saved by diving Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano.
Celentano made two saves for Cincinnati, his seventh clean sheet of the season. His goalkeeper counterparts, Oscar Ustari and Rocco Rios Novo, combined for four saves for Miami.
–Field Level Media
