Evander Calls Game For FC Cincinnati & Continues MVP Form! Manu Ledesma Joins + Leagues Cup Preview

FC Cincinnati delivered another unforgettable night at TQL Stadium, rallying from behind twice to defeat the San Jose Earthquakes 4-2 in one of the club's most entertaining performances of the season. On this episode of the Flyin Lion Podcast, we break down every major talking point from the match, including Evander's breathtaking 37-yard strike that has immediately entered the conversation as one of the greatest goals in FC Cincinnati history. How does it compare to Lucho Acosta's MLS Goal of the Year or Luca Orellano's incredible long-range winner? We discuss where it ranks, Evander's continued MVP-caliber season, his historic night that saw him surpass 100 career MLS goal contributions, and why he continues to prove he's one of the best players in Major League Soccer. We also analyze Bryan Ramirez's first MLS goal, Tom Barlow's massive impact off the bench, Ayoub Jabbari's late insurance goal, another dramatic FCC comeback, and the positives and concerns after a match that once again showcased Cincinnati's elite attack but exposed some lingering defensive issues.

Club legend Manu Ledesma returns to the Flyin Lion Podcast for his second appearance, and it's another fantastic conversation. Manu shares his thoughts on FC Cincinnati's current form, the challenge of navigating an eight-match August schedule, and why this team has become one of the most dangerous attacking sides in MLS. We also discuss the defensive inconsistencies that have followed the club throughout the season, his experience attending the Burnley friendly and what it was like seeing FC Cincinnati take on an EFL Championship side after spending more than 90 matches playing in England's Championship himself. Manu also reflects on his recent experience competing in The Soccer Tournament (TST) with Genefit FC alongside Geoff Cameron and Brek Shea, gives his perspective on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, shares his thoughts on the expanded 48-team tournament, Lionel Messi's future with Argentina, and provides updates on both his youth academy and UPSL program.

We also recap another memorable MLS All-Star Week for FC Cincinnati, highlighted by Evander defending his Skills Challenge Shooting crown, defeating Chad Johnson in the Crossbar Challenge, and becoming the first player in club history to score in an MLS All-Star Game with the game-winning goal against the Liga MX All-Stars. From there, we shift our focus to Leagues Cup 2026, explaining the new tournament format, FC Cincinnati's history in the competition, and why this year's edition presents a huge opportunity for Pat Noonan's squad. We preview FCC's opening match against Pachuca, discuss key players including Oussama Idrissi, Salomón Rondón, Elías Montiel, and Alexéi Domínguez, and also look ahead to upcoming matchups against Pumas and Atlas as Cincinnati prepares for one of the biggest stretches of its season.

As always, we wrap up the show with all of your favorite segments, including the Trivia Question of the Week, Jersey Swap of the Week, Cards of the Week, FC Cincinnati 2 updates, the biggest storylines from around Major League Soccer, and the latest club news, including reports surrounding former FCC captain Lucho Acosta.