Evander delivered a standout performance with two goals and an assist, leading the Portland Timbers to a 4-2 victory against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Wednesday evening.
The Timbers (12-10-7, 43 points) continued their impressive form at home, extending their unbeaten streak to 8-0-2 in their last 10 regular-season games. The win keeps Portland in contention within the competitive Western Conference playoff hunt.
Evander, who now tops the MLS charts with 32 regular-season goal contributions (14 goals and 18 assists), played a pivotal role. Portland’s Felipe Mora and Joseph Rodriguez also contributed significantly, each notching a goal and an assist. All three players—Mora, Rodriguez, and Evander—are tied with 14 goals apiece, leading the team.
For the Galaxy (16-7-7, 55 points), Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil were the scorers, but the defeat meant missing an opportunity to solidify their lead at the top of the Western Conference standings.
The match was a showcase of attacking prowess, with both sides demonstrating offensive pressure. Although the Galaxy outshot the Timbers 24-22, Portland held a 12-7 advantage in shots on target.
The scoring began early with Evander delivering a precise cross in the 18th minute. Rodriguez capitalized on the delivery, heading the ball into the net for his eighth goal in the last 10 regular-season matches.
Portland’s second goal came through a well-executed play in the 39th minute, with Evander finishing off the move with a clinical strike.
The Galaxy managed to pull one back just before halftime. In the third minute of added time, Pec found space in the box to fire a left-footed shot past the keeper.
Despite the Galaxy’s efforts to gain momentum, Evander restored Portland’s two-goal cushion in the 51st minute. After Rodriguez was fouled in the box, Evander pounced on the loose ball to score.
Paintsil narrowed the gap in the 59th minute, converting a rebound after Pec’s shot hit the post. Although initially flagged offside, a video review overturned the decision, awarding Paintsil his ninth goal of the season.
The final flourish for the Timbers came in the 80th minute. Antony, a substitute, provided an assist with a precise cross that found Mora, who secured the match’s final score.
