Evander inspires FC Cincinnati’s 2-0 win over DC United

Evander gives Cincinnati a 2-0 lead at Audi Field

FC Cincinnati defeated DC United 2-0 in Major League Soccer’s Regular Season - 31, moving provisionally to seventh in the Eastern Conference. DC United remain provisionally 13th after the completed match.

Two goals decide the contest

FC Cincinnati took the lead in the 35th minute when Evander scored with Pavel Bucha providing the assist, making the score 0-1. Tom Barlow added the final goal in the 52nd minute, with Evander assisting for a 0-2 scoreline.

DC United made a change at 35', sending Nikola Marković on for Jackson Hopkins. Cincinnati later replaced Kyle Smith, Obinna Nwobodo and Barlow in the 59th minute, bringing on Samuel Mawuena Gidi, Tah Anunga and Kenji Mboma Dem respectively.

Nwobodo was booked in the 24th minute, followed by DC United’s Tai Baribo in the 34th and Barlow in the 38th. There were no red cards.

United had more of the ball but not the result

DC United held 53% possession and registered 13 shots to Cincinnati’s nine, while also completing 439 accurate passes to 313. Cincinnati, however, produced three shots on goal to United’s two and converted twice. The expected-goals figures also favored DC United, 0.37 to 0.24, without translating into a goal.

Evander was the standout performer, earning a 9.0 rating after contributing one goal, one assist and three key passes in 32 minutes.

Cincinnati extend their points advantage

Before kick-off, Cincinnati were eighth with 39 points and DC United were 13th with 33. Cincinnati now have 42 points from 31 games and are provisionally seventh, while DC United remain on 33 points from 31 games. The gap is now nine points. Cincinnati’s most recent listed pre-match result was a win; DC United’s was a loss.