Evander is 'bridge' in FC Cincinnati's locker room
Often, the day after a match, many FC Cincinnati players spend their time inside the facility, focusing on recovery and other similar activities.
But as one talent, Evander, wraps up his work, he wanders outside, takes a seat and delivers praise to the few folks running intense sprints in the scorching summer heat.
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'You'll see Evander just sitting out there, encouraging and helping the guys out, and the guys see that in him,' said goalkeeper Roman Celentano. 'They know the kind of player he is, but the fact that he's a great person around the locker room and around the guys.'
On the field, Evander's play has been vital, but off the pitch, his quality has become indispensable. In just his first season with FC Cincinnati, the Brazilian's teammates and coach have lauded his personality.
Coach Pat Noonan said Evander, who has 20 goal contributions in 20 matches, has had a tremendous impact on FC Cincinnati, noting the star's humility in working with the coaching staff and accepting challenges.
Evander has accepted development challenges and connected with his teammates, which has helped him get on the ball closer to the goal more often. The midfielder has also been running extra to be especially fit, given the blistering summer heat.
'One of the players said that (Evander)'s the bridge in the locker room,' Noonan said. 'He connects with everybody and in a really unique but authentic way. And staff members love him. He goes about this profession and being a star player in such a humble way.'
Evander said he has always tried to connect with everyone in the locker room, crediting wingback DeAndre Yedlin for the 'bridge' nickname.
'For me, it matters how everyone is feeling.'
Evander is modest in his in-match demeanor. He roams the pitch and makes plays – lots, in fact – but often leaves the talking to the teammates.
Around the locker room, however, Evander jokes and connects with nearly everyone. He said those connections manifest themselves in games.
'I like to be nice with everyone,' Evander said. 'I like to have a good chat with everyone … For me, it matters how everyone is feeling, and I'm trying to do my best to help the team off the pitch as well.'
Midfielder Pavel Bucha said Evander gets along with everyone. On the pitch, the Czech player noted that he is always trying to find the Brazilian. Off the field seems to be not much different.
'(Evander) fits in the locker room in a perfect way,' Bucha said. 'Everybody loves (having) him here, and we are so glad and lucky to have him just because (of) the way he plays, but also on the other part, it's so easy to talk to him. (He's a) really good guy outside of the pitch.'
Defender Alvas Powell echoed a similar sentiment, saying Evander was 'playful' and talkative in the locker room.
'Whatever you see on the field, Evander, he's giving you exactly what he does in training every single day,' he said. 'Very humble guy in the locker room … I'm grateful that I'm playing next to him.'
'We were pleasantly surprised with just how affable he is.'
General manager Chris Albright said he was unaware of how 'affable' Evander was until he began speaking with him. It could have been easy for a player like Evander to be cocky after scoring 15 goals and notching 15 assists with the Portland Timbers in 2024. Instead, Albright said Evander has been incredibly likable and 'more additive' than they expected.
'We were pleasantly surprised with just how affable he is and how easygoing he is,' Albright said. ' He doesn't have the demeanor of a normal No. 10.'
More: Magical moments have become regular for FC Cincinnati's Evander
Noonan said he had heard Evander connected well with teammates and staff members, but noted that it's hard to know how those traits would manifest themselves in a new environment.
Luckily for FC Cincinnati, they have. Tremendously.
'Everything's authentic, everything is respectful, but with the idea to build relationships and to improve in different ways, on and off the field,' Noonan said of Evander. 'And so that's why that word (bridge) has been used – It's accurate.
'He's been better than advertised.'
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Evander is 'bridge' in FC Cincinnati's locker room
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