This is a special Landon Donovan MLS MVP Award contenders edition of How We Voted, the column that gives you a glimpse inside my mind as I vote for each MLS Player of the Matchday following each round of matches.
Both players on my ballot for Matchday 21 excelled all season long for their teams and belong on the shortlist of MVP candidates, as of this just-past-the-midway-point moment in the season.
I'm not alone in thinking this round was an early MLS MVP Referendum, as even the league's website highlighted the bubbling-up MVP debate in their Team of the Matchday writeup.
It's not time to vote on MVP but it is time to read some more about the two players I put on my latest ballot submitted to the North American Soccer Reporters. Below find that as well as the actual winner of the Player of the Matchday, and the full list of players included in the Team of the Matchday.
The HRB Ballot, Matchday 21
1. Evander, FC Cincinnati
Goal one for Evander was a powerful, dipping free kick from distance to the near post that caught Pedro Gallese out. Goal two came while on the run in transition, with Evander picked out with a pass from Kévin Denkey before the Brazilian cut back, found a shooting lane through two Orland defenders, and buried another shot past Gallese.
The two goals were what it took for Cincinnati to beat Orlando. That's also now two braces in a row for Evander, four goals scored in the same week, and three road wins in a row for Cincinnati. Pat Noonan's side is so far the best road team in MLS after picking up seven wins away from home already this season.
Evander is up to 11 goals and seven assists on the year, third in total goal contributions and tied for third in the Golden Boot race. Those numbers have been boosted lately: He's scored two in back-to-back games while also picking up an assist. Cincinnati let Luciano Acosta leave but added Evander to replace him and the team hasn't missed a beat, sitting one point out of 1st Place in the Eastern Conference. They wouldn't be there without games like the one Evander produced against Orlando.
His season has been so good yet this is the first time I've voted for him as Player of the Matchday this season, taking until my 21st edition of this column to get a chance to talk Evander. Even if we made it this far without him in the column, he's been producing for Cincinnati all season and is firmly in the MVP conversation.
2. Anders Dreyer, San Diego FC
That MVP conversation has to include Anders Dreyer, too, because he continues to be a revelation for expansion side San Diego FC. Dreyer scored from the penalty spot then assisted on the match-winning goal scored by Thomas Ángel in the 90'+6' minute. He attempted six total shots and created three chances for teammates in what ended up a 3-2 San Diego win away from home at FC Dallas.
San Diego remains the top team in the Western Conference and it doesn't look like they show signs of slowing down soon. Same goes for Dreyer who is up to nine goals and 12 assists in 20 matches played, outshining even the most famous of his teammates (like Hirving Lozano). They've got some Expansion Year Magic going and it looks like a pretty sustainable situation, so long as Dreyer is healthy and still this dangerous.
Official Player of the Matchday: Evander
After recording back-to-back braces, FC Cincinnati's Evander takes home his first MLS Player of the Matchday presented by Michelob Ultra honors in 2025 and has won the award at least once in three consecutive seasons. www.mlssoccer.com/news/fc-cinc...
— MLS Communications (@mls-pr.bsky.social) June 30, 2025 at 4:22 PM
[image or embed]
A first win for an FC Cincinnati player this season, despite their impressive position in the standings. Evander deserved it, two high-quality goals scored in pretty distinct ways, and against an Orlando team that's solidly in the playoff hunt this season.
The voting options for this Matchday were more numerous than in some other instances. There was Evander, plus Dreyer, plus someone like Philip Zinckernagel of Chicago Fire FC (one goal, one assist in a win over Charlotte FC) all deserving of votes. Evander gets the win this time but it's anyone guess who the real favorite is for MVP – especially since this whole conversation occurs while Lionel Messi isn't active in MLS thanks to Inter Miami CF's presence at the FIFA Club World Cup.
MLS Team of the Matchday
Starters: Daniel (SJ) - Felipe Andrade (HOU), Kyle Duncan (RBNY), Mohamed Farsi (CLB) - Anders Dreyer (SD), Carles Gil (NE), Evander (CIN), Philip Zinckernagel (CHI) - Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting (RBNY), Jesús Ferreira (SEA), Rafael Navarro (COL)
Coach: Pat Noonan (CIN)
Bench: John Pulskamp (SKC), Matt Miazga (CIN), Alonso Coello (TOR), Victor Loturi (MTL), Pep Biel (CLT), Erik Thommy (SKC), Marco Reus (LA), Emmanuel Sabbi (VAN), Darren Yapi (COL)
Cincinnati with a starter, the coach, and a substitute on the bench in this Team of the Matchday, as the team reaps the rewards of another away win. Two Red Bulls make the starting lineup following a 2-2 draw with Minnesota United FC, as does Carles Gil for helping the New England Revolution climb out of a three-goal hole while playing at home.
