Timbers embark on 2025 — with or without Evander
"I want to fight and die for the guys who are here and want to be here.”
BEAVERTON — The Portland Timbers did have one answer about Evander on Thursday.
Portland opened up preseason training this week with the status of its star midfielder still in limbo as it moved forward into the 2025 season. Fans spent the early portion of the week trying to pinpoint exactly where Evander’s latest Instagram photos originated — no, the palm trees are not in Portland — then began Thursday with a ray of hope when the Brazilian’s name was listed on the preseason roster.
The 2024 MVP finalist is under contract. And, while buried in the background, his photo was included in a graphic posted by the team on Thursday.
Now, finding him in said photo felt akin to playing Where’s Waldo?, but Timbers GM Ned Grabavoy said the Timbers know exactly where their star is — and where he’s expected to be in the coming weeks.
Evander, along with fellow teammate Antony, are still in Brazil finalizing their Green Cards before joining the club for training.
“At this stage, we expect Evander to be back when he’s cleared to travel,” Grabavoy said.
As to what happens with the designated player who scored 15 goals with 19 assists in 2024 when he gets here, well, that’s still anyone’s guess. The club is still willing to listen to offers for the 26-year-old. The club is also still willing to reconcile with a player whose talent is second to none on the roster.
None of that has changed.
But what became clear on Thursday is that the rest of the Timbers are ready to move forward, with or without the drama that’s accompanied the team since last season ended in devastating fashion.