Evans Brothers Ready for PDX FC Opportunity

Steven Evans is Portland.

His college career: Three seasons with the University of Portland Pilots. Post-College:  Two seasons with Portland Timbers FC and now, a new journey with PDX FC.

“It’s going to be really special,” Evans said. “The fans in Portland are always crazy and I have a lot of friends here so I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Evans is already a special signing for PDX FC: their first in team history, and he brings a wealth of experience to the new squad. He began his soccer career where else, but the Rose City, where he began with Portland youth club Eastside United FC, and where his father, Marc Evans remains a coach. The midfielder then moved on to three successful seasons with the Portland University Pilots.

In his three years at UP, Evans was placed on the All-WCC team every season and the All-WCC First Team in his final two. Evans was also named WCC Freshman of the Year in 2010. After his time as a Pilot, Evans became just the second homegrown signing for the Portland Timbers, where he remained from 2013-2015.

PDX FC owner Luke Babson is excited to have Evans on board for this new endeavor.

“Steven is not only a great player, but also a really good guy. He brings a high level of experience and will help us compete in the Northwest Conference right away. He is a well-known name in the Portland soccer community and is a great addition to our club.”

While Steven Evans is excited for the opportunity to join PDX FC on its own, there’s an added bonus: the chance to play with his brother, Nick.

“I get to play with my brother so that will definitely be cool,” Steven said.

Nick shares the sentiment. “Playing with my brother on a competitive team is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Nick even went on to joke: “Steven has always been the one to get all the assists growing up and I’ve always been the forward that scores all the goals, so hopefully it will work well and we will combine for many goals for PDX FC.”

Both the brothers are looking forward to the opportunity playing with PDX FC.

“Playing for PDX FC should be such a great experience as it is a brand new team in the NPSL,” Nick responded. “And I’m just hoping to make a positive impact on the team, and ultimately try and win a championship. “

“The NPSL sounds like it’s going to be a lot of fun and definitely something in the future that is going to be crucial and important to the development of players,” Steven added.

Steven also noted how the NPSL career will help his budding coaching career. “I coach now, so I feel like the NPSL will be able to help me with that.”

Steven’s coaching career started with Westside Timbers SC, where he coaches two teams.  John Bain, Director of Soccer Operations for Westside Timbers SC, had high praise for his work with the club.

“Steven does a fantastic job coaching the boys.  He is very energetic and the team has thrived with Steven’s coaching style.”

Steven also remains on the staff at UP, serving as an undergraduate assistant coach.  UP assistant coach Leonard Griffin expressed his delight with having the former MLS standout as part of their men’s soccer program.

“Steven Evans has been a phenomenal addition to our coaching staff at UP. Through his playing experience in college and professionally he has been a perfect example for our student-athletes that hard work enables you to achieve your goals. When Stevie is called upon in training to play with our current team it is evident that he still has the ability to play at a high level. As a staff we often wish he had another year or two of eligibility.”

With all these new opportunities, it would be easy to get lofty goals for oneself, but Steven is taking it one step at a time and soaking in the experience.

“Just to help the team out as much as I can,” Steven said of his goals for the season. “I have a lot of experience and I coach now too so I’m hoping to help the younger guys be as good as they can be.”

With the Evans brothers remaining in Portland where they have spent their entire soccer careers, and with the two playing side on a new club, PDX is looking like a team to watch out West.