After their disappointing performance in the Wildcard match, Evander went to social media to apologize to fans, while also calling out those in power
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Timbers thrashed by Whitecaps 5-0After match, Evander calls out 'people in power' of clubDeclares fans deserve betterGet the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowWHAT HAPPENED?
The Portland Timbers' 2024 campaign ended Wednesday night with a 5-0 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Western Conference Wildcard play-in game for the postseason. The Timbers, in front of their home fans, conceded their worst playoff defeat of the MLS era.
After the match, Evander, the team's star midfielder and 2024 MLS MVP candidate, posted a series of messages on X highlighting his disappointment with the result. Notably, though, he seemingly called out individuals who "have power" over the club, declaring they did not "keep their word."
The Portland Timbers did not respond to GOAL's request for comment.
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In length, his post read: "First, I want to apologize to all the fans who, on a Wednesday night, dropped everything to support us. It’s really hard to lose the way we did. The truth is, losing is not in our plans, but we have to deal with it. I want to say that we, the players and the entire staff, did everything we could to take Portland as far as possible. However, sometimes we have no control over what happens, and what happens off the field reflects on the field. Portland fans do not deserve the people who have power over this club. People who say they are men but do not keep their word. People who are only there when the team wins. Unfortunately, these are things we have no control over. I have always fought and will continue to fight to put this team on top. To the fans, you deserve much more. Thank you for your unconditional support, and we’ll see you next season."
The Brazilian, who joined the club in 2023, had an incredible sophomore season with the Timbers, scoring 15 goals and registering 19 assists in 28 matches. As a result of his heroics on the pitch, he's a one of the leading candidates for 2024 MLS MVP.
GIVEMESPORT has additionally shared that Evander and the Timbers are in the middle of an ongoing contract dispute, with the 26-year-old and his camp asking for a release clause in his new contract, while Portland declined. The report additionally states that after the loss to Vancouver Wednesday evening, the Brazilian stated in front of head coach Phil Neville, his teammates and club GM Ned Grabavoy, that Grabavoy himself was to blame for the result.
DID YOU KNOW?
In September, Portland rejected a reported transfer offer of $9 million for the Brazilian midfielder from an unnamed Qatari team, according to GIVEMESPORT. In 2023, when he joined the MLS side, he was signed for a reported fee of $10m, meaning if he were to depart the Western Conference side, they would want to gain a profit on the sale.
USA Today ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR EVANDER, TIMBERS?
With their campaign coming to an end, the Timbers will now be looking ahead to 2025. Evander, meanwhile, will likely be the continued subject of transfer interest after his stellar season.
