When his long-range strike against the San Jose Earthquakes flew into the top corner in **Portland Timbers**’ opening **Leagues Cup** match, Evander opted for a muted celebration. The Brazilian, who arrived in Oregon at the start of the campaign, would react to his sixth goal for the club by strutting back towards midfield, expressionless.
On Wednesday night, though, Evander couldn’t help but crack a smile as he sent a free-kick into the opposite corner, putting the team ahead against Club Tigres in their second West 1 group stage clash.
It was a first free-kick goal in a Timbers jersey for the midfielder, who wheeled away in composed celebration before he was swarmed by jubilant teammates. It was a timely return to set-piece success for the Rio de Janeiro native, who tends to score them on the big occasions. He had also scored a direct free-kick in his final appearance for Danish side Midtjylland, and scored his first and last goals of the previous season from a dead ball.
But the high spirits on Wednesday were short-lived, as twenty minutes later the former Brazilian youth international was being given his marching orders after picking up a second yellow card.
The two offences would come within five minutes of each other - in both instances, a flailing arm catching a Tigres player would be his undoing. In between the two bookings, it was Evander’s giveaway that eventually led to André-Pierre Gignac's equaliser.
It’s not the first time that the 25-year-old has had run-ins with the officials since moving to MLS. Back in June, he had been suspended by league authorities for violent conduct at the end of the team’s match against New York City FC, having slapped an opponent in the face.
With his team through to the Leagues Cup playoffs, the midfielder will be hoping to make a return from suspension before the end of the competition, and help his team go all the way by adding to his two goals so far.
