FC Cincinnati once again showed why they are among the most consistent teams this year. On the road in front of more than 60,000 fans at Soldier Field, they beat Chicago Fire 3-2, won their fourth game in a row, and kept pace in the Eastern Conference. With Evander scoring the back of the net two times and a third by Kévin Denkey, the team stole the three points from the match and drew Charlotte FC at the division's summit.
Chicago Fire evened it out and speedy response
FC Cincinnati wasted no time showcasing how much fight the game would witness. Sergio Santos closed in high at the 9th minute and regained the ball after Mauricio Pineda was brought down. Evander was brought the ball down at midfield, pushed up alongside Denkey and Santos as they provided support, and fired from distance. The shot also caromed off of Sergio Oregel and did not give Chris Brady a chance. The ball flew, arced over the keeper, and into the goal. Cincinnati opened up early away from home during a pivotal part of the match.
Chicago Fire responded in the 31st minute. The play started with goalkeeper Chris Brady, who initiated a quick three-pass build-up that ended with Jonathan Bamba. On the right flank, Bamba freed Hugo Cuypers in plenty of room. The striker took the ball, turned, and fired a solid shot from the left side of the box to level scores at Soldier Field.
But the draw didn't last. In the 42nd minute, a sequence of Chicago defense mistakes handed the lead back to Cincinnati. Omari Glasgow and Sam Rogers lost the ball as they tried to play out of the back, and Santos pounced on the opportunity. The striker harried Rogers near the corner flag, dispossessed him, and found Kévin Denkey, who was unmarked inside the box. The striker hit it low into the far post with no chance for the keeper. It was Denkey's fourth goal in MLS action.
Evander scores again and Fire push late
Cincinnati’s third goal came in the 71st minute after another midfield interception. Brian Anunga broke up a Fire attack and passed to Luca Orellano. The Argentine carried it through the middle third and spotted Evander in space. The midfielder took a touch, dribbled past Jack Elliot, and rolled a low shot into the corner to stretch the lead.
Chicago still had one more answer. In the 85th minute, Brian Gutiérrez converted a penalty kick—Cincinnati’s first conceded spot kick of the season. The goal cut the lead to one, but that’s where the comeback stopped. Cincinnati held on for a big road win.
Winning streak and the Evander effect
The victory at Soldier Field also solidified Cincinnati’s strong away record against Chicago Fire. With the result, Cincinnati now has five wins in seven road games against the Illinois side. That’s 16 points total—their best road performance against any opponent since joining MLS.
Evander's objective was another strong game from the Brazilian midfielder. He is now on six goals for the season, one behind Philadelphia Union's Tai Baribo, who tops the league in scoring. Evander has scored in three straight games and ended a slump that had seen him blanked in the previous two.
Both of the Soldier Field goals were his second brace for the season. His direct role in getting points on the scoreboard once again exemplified his position in building and finishing plays for Cincinnati.