Evander scored in second-half stoppage time to lift host FC Cincinnati to a 2-1 victory over New York City FC on Wednesday.
Gerardo Valenzuela tipped the ball back to Evander, who spun around and wired a left-footed shot past diving goalkeeper Matt Freese for the go-ahead goal in the 91st minute.
The goal was the team-leading 12th of the season for Evander, who also scored in the 95th minute to help FC Cincinnati forge a 4-4 draw against New York City FC on April 22.
Kenji Mboma Dem opened the scoring in the 11th minute and Roman Celentano made seven saves for FC Cincinnati (8-6-6, 30 points), who improved to 4-1-1 in their last six MLS matches.
New York City’s Luighi scored a goal for the second time in as many MLS matches. He also tallied in NYCFC’s 3-2 setback to the Philadelphia Union last Saturday.
Freese turned aside four shots for NYCFC (7-8-5, 26 points), who have lost two in a row.
Celentano preserved a 1-1 tie with two stellar saves at the start of the second half. He denied Nicolas Fernandez’s shot from outside the box before thwarting Luighi from close range, extending his left arm to get just enough on the ball before it caromed harmlessly off the post.
In addition, Celentano benefited from a save to deny Luighi’s turnaround shot from close in the 50th minute.
Kevin Denkey attempted to corral a long feed from Evander; however, a New York City defender broke up the play. Mboma Dem picked up the loose ball and converted to open the scoring. The goal was his fifth of the season and his fourth in his last seven MLS matches.
Luighi, who was playing in his second MLS match, leveled the contest 10 minutes later after providing a one-touch finish in the box following a cross from Agustin Ojeda.
–Field Level Media
