The Portland Timbers’ star in central midfield is getting league-wide recognition.
Brazilian midfielder Evander was named to the 2024 MLS all-star team as a coach’s selection, the league announced Monday. Thirty players made the roster for the game, scheduled for July 24 in Columbus. The MLS all-stars will take on the top players from Liga MX in Mexico.
Twelve players make the team through a combination of fan, player and media voting, 16 are chosen by MLS all-star coach Wilfried Nancy of Columbus, and two by MLS commissioner Don Garber.
It has been a breakout second season in Portland for Evander, who joined the Timbers in 2023 for a club-record transfer fee. Evander has nine goals and 11 assists in 17 matches so far this season. His twenty goal contributions rank fifth in MLS and second among midfielders behind Lionel Messi (12 goals, 13 assists).
Evander is the Timbers’ first all-star since Diego Chará in 2019. Just seven other players have made the all-star team since the club entered MLS in 2011: Diego Valeri (2018, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2013), Darlington Nagbe (2016), Liam Ridgewell (2016, 2014), Will Johnson (2014, 2013), Donovan Ricketts (2013), Rodney Wallace (2013), and Jack Jewsbury (2011).
-- Ryan Clarke covers the Oregon Ducks and Big Ten Conference for The Oregonian and co-hosts the Soccer Made in Portland and Ducks Confidential podcasts. He can be reached at rclarke@oregonian.com or @RyanTClarke.
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