In the 53rd minute, Russell cut the Lions’ lead in half by recording his fourth goal in a torrid three-game span. Within seconds of the restart, Gerso’s teasing cross from the left side was palmed onto the crossbar by Gallese and scrambled clear by the Orlando defense. The second half unfolded in a decidedly different manner, as Sporting wasted little time turning the tide. Nani recorded his 14th career MLS assist on the play, having returned to Kansas City for the first time since losing a friendly to Sporting as a member of English side Manchester United in 2010. Portuguese talisman Nani orchestrated Orlando’s second goal seven minutes before the break, lifting a ball over the top for Michel to corral and slot into the corner for his fourth goal in five matches.
In the 36th minute, Akindele ran onto a through ball from Ruan and finished low across goalkeeper Tim Melia for his second tally of the season and his second goal in as many appearances against Sporting. The visitors gained a foothold past the half-hour mark and struck twice in the space of two minutes.
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Graham Zusi’s ensuing 25-yard free kick bent over the Lions’ four-man wall and flashed a yard wide of the left post, much to the relief of Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese. The game’s first flashbulb moment stemmed from a booming run through the central channel by Gadi Kinda, who drew a handball infraction on Orlando defender Rodrigo Schlegel in the 10th minute. Dia made his first start at Children’s Mercy Park since April 2016, while Ilie returned to the XI for the first time since the MLS is Back Tournament in July. With Luis Martins injured and Gianluca Busio suspended due to yellow card accumulation, left back Amadou Dia and holding midfielder Ilie Sanchez accounted for the two changes to Sporting Kansas City’s lineup from a 3-2 loss to FC Dallas on Saturday. In-form Orlando (7-2-4, 25 points) took a two-goal halftime lead through Tesho Akindele and Benji Michel, and although Russell grabbed a goal back early in the second half, Sporting (6-5-2, 20 points) were unable to conjure an equalizer as the Lions pushed their unbeaten run to seven matches. Forward Johnny Russell scored for the third straight game on Wednesday night as Sporting Kansas City’s second-half rally fell short in a 2-1 defeat to Orlando City SC at Children’s Mercy Park.
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