Saga's End: Evander officially transferred to FC Cincinnati for $12 million
The MVP finalist leaves Portland after two seasons
The ink is now dry, the money has changed hands, and the Evander Saga has at last formally reached its conclusion.
The Portland Timbers announced today that they have traded midfielder Evander to FC Cincinnati for a club-record fee of $12 million. Portland could pocket an additional $150K if certain performance-based metrics are met. The Timbers also retain a sell-on and trade percentage of any deal if Evander is transferred or traded again in the future.
“We thank Evander for his contributions to the club, and we wish him all the best in this next chapter of his career,” Timbers General Manager Ned Grabavoy shared in the club’s press release.
The move comes about a week after it was first reported by Tom “I’m tired of these Evander posts, grandpa” Bogert that the deal was finalized, and brings a close to a four-month-long ordeal of deciding Evander’s future.
Evander leaves Portland after two seasons, during which he tallied 24 goals and 24 assists. He produced an MVP-worthy season in 2024, registering 15 goals and a league-leading 19 assists. He was named an MLS All-Star, and finished third in MVP voting.
In a post on Instagram posted a few hours before the deal went final, Evander bid farewell to Portland and Timbers fans, stating “I wish it had been different,” and “This is not how I imagined saying goodbye.”
This whole process kicked off at the end of Portland’s 2024 season, after a humiliating 5-0 defeat to the Vancouver Whitecaps at Providence Park. Evander posted a series of tweets calling out the Timbers front office for “promised not kept” and reportedly criticized Timbers General Manager Ned Grabavoy in the locker room after the game. Thus began a months-long ordeal by which tangible updates were hard to come by, and fans were left waiting and wondering whose jersey Evander would wear in 2025.
And now we finally know for sure. Spurred on by the new intra-league cash trade system, Portland took advantage and managed to pocket a club-record amount of cold-hard cash instead of Allocation Money for a trade that sent Evander to the Eastern Conference.
Ironically (or appropriately, depending on your point of view), FC Cincinnati comes to Portland on August 16 this season. That match could be the most anticipated return of a former Timbers player in some time, should nothing prevent Evander suiting up for his new club against his former club.
There is more to follow, such as Portland’s announcement of how they are filling their now open Designated Player slot, or seeing this team’s style of play changes without Evander. However right now, the biggest offseason storyline comes to a close. Time will tell who ends up better in the end, but this feels like it was ultimately the best move for all parties.
You can read the team’s full press release here.
It hurts, not gonna lie, as I think about what could have been. The blame is not something I want to delve into because it's over. I only hope the FO learned some lessons.
I would imagine there is/was a gulf or shadow on the team with his departure because of his ability and character in the locker room. I'm hoping there is a core group of players who are taking this team by the horns and moving forward. I hope Da Costa is ready to do his part and I hope the FO treats him right.
It's really important for a team to all be on board with each other and the club. This is a reset.
Takeaways from pre-season.
It's hard to take away anything from preseason while the saga played out. Not all of the pieces were there and some were playing out of position, and it could be they were playing a formation that they might not use.
I'm encouraged by the new signings. Kelsy with some service is going to do some damage. Fory is feisty, athletic and talented and will be playing. Ortiz has a lot of skill and will be best as a dm; I don't see a lot of offense out of him, at least initially, and he will be best supporting underneath Da Costa. Lassiter is a good depth signing and will start at times. Da Costa, we haven't seen. Based on the need for a creator, dribbler from the play in Coachella, Da Costa needs to be the motor in the mid and final third, and it remains to be seen if he can. And if he can, at what level?
What flipped in the preseason was a better overall defensive performance, due to the change to the 5-3-2. I think they shouldn't mess with overall better defensive performance and stay with three in the back, and maybe alternate to the 3-4-1-2 with Da Costa running just behind the forwards. Will we be better off to sacrifice a winger for an additional defender. I say yes, at least until our midfield shows they can control the game. That means Moreno and Antony are likely to have to find new positions. Moreno can play AM and Antony could play wing back or even forward.
As for the backline, I'm hoping Surman emerges as a top player and starts in the middle of the back three with Zup and K Miller. I'm just not feeling good about McGraw. He's fine in the air but vulnerable when the ball is on the ground. Get ready for a lot of free kicks if he is in there.
I'm excited to see what happens. The key for me is who emerges as a leader on the team and if they are all bought in and have left the Evander saga behind and perhaps use it as motivation.
So this makes $13,000,000 that Cincinnati has given us since they started up. Considering how it went for them with Fanendo Adi, I am a little surprised they came back for a second Portland castoff. I do hope Evander finds Ohio to be a happier home.