Evander Strikes in Stoppage Time as FC Cincinnati Edges NYCFC 2-1

Evander scored in the first minute of second-half stoppage time to lift FC Cincinnati to a 2-1 win over New York City FC on Wednesday night at TQL Stadium.

With the match level and stoppage time already underway, Pavel Bucha played the ball inside the box to Dado Valenzuela, who tapped it back to Evander at the top of the 18. Evander spun and fired inside the left post for his 12th goal of the season, sending the home crowd into celebration.

It was Evander's fourth career stoppage-time goal for Cincinnati, three of them game-winners, both club records. He ended the night with 23 goal contributions on the season, 12 goals and 11 assists, leading MLS.

Back and Forth at TQL Stadium

Kenji Mboma Dem opened the scoring in the 11th minute to give the hosts an early lead, but Luighi answered in the 21st with a well-taken volley for his first MLS goal from open play. The Brazilian has two goals in two starts.

New York pushed hard for a winner after halftime and forced several big saves from Roman Celentano, who finished with seven on the night, six of them after the break. Nico Fernández Mercau recorded an assist to reach 25 career goal contributions in MLS play.

The result was New York City FC's first MLS regular-season loss to Cincinnati since March 23, 2024, despite the visitors leading the all-time series 9-4-3.

Late Magic Becomes a Habit

The winner was Cincinnati's 10th goal of the season in second-half stoppage time, the eighth in league play. Those late strikes have been worth seven points in the standings, turning draws into wins and losses into draws. It was also the second time in as many meetings Evander broke New York hearts late, after his stoppage-time penalty salvaged a 4-4 draw at Yankee Stadium on April 22.

The teams entered the night separated by a single point in the Eastern Conference table.