We’re in for another full slate of MLS action this weekend! Here are five players you should be keeping a close eye on on Matchday 12!

Martin Ojeda (Orlando City)
Up next: Saturday, May 9, 4:30 pm ET — at Montreal 📺 Apple TV

Orlando City’s 4-3 win over Inter Miami last weekend is already one of the all-time MLS classics, with the Lions coming back from 3-0 down in Miami’s new Nu Stadium to win 4-3. 

If it was an all-timer of a game from Orlando, it was certainly an all-timer of a performance from Martin Ojeda, who bagged a hat trick for the Lions and generally ran the show in the second half. The Argentine put five of his seven shots on target, and created another two chances as Orlando overran Miami’s defense after the halftime break.

Defensively, Orlando is off to one of the worst starts in MLS history, conceding nearly three goals a game and on pace for a league-record 96 goals allowed this season. That puts even more responsibility on its attack to overcome a porous defense. Fortunately, Ojeda should have chances this week against a poor Montreal defense.

Evander (FC Cincinnati)
Up next: Saturday, May 9, 7:30 pm ET — at Charlotte 📺 Apple TV

Stunningly, Evander’s hat trick last weekend was the first of his entire career, leading Cincinnati to an impressive 3-2 win on the road against the Chicago Fire. The Brazilian playmaker has bagged five goals in his last three games for a Cincinnati side that is unbeaten in its last five, and has climbed to sixth in the Eastern Conference standings.

Cincinnati has dealt with a plethora of injuries this season, especially to its backline. Miles Robinson, Nick Hagglund, Gilberto Flores and Nick Hagglund have all missed significant time this season, and its defense is decimated. It’s resulted in a slower start to the season, with four wins, three ties, and four losses from Cincinnati’s first 11 matches.

They’re getting hot, though. Midfielder Dado Valenzuela has been pushed to a deeper midfield role, allowing Evander to stay in his preferred pockets and receive the ball in dangerous areas. The result has been a much more goal-dangerous Evander, who’s starting to look like his old self. 

Cincinnati has a big Eastern Conference clash on the road against Charlotte FC. It’ll take a major performance from Evander to get a crucial three points.

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