Brazilian star Kaka scores twice to lead Orlando City past Impact

Orlando (7-7-13) moved into sixth place in the Eastern Conference with the win — just three points behind Montreal in the standings.

The fifth-place Impact, who have seven games remaining, have been outscored 11-4 in their last five matches.

“We were nonchalant in defending,” said Biello. “At this level, you can’t do that. We gave them two goals. We can’t make those mistakes. We didn’t finish actions.

“We’re not that good of a team.”

It was 2-1 for the visitors when goalkeeper Evan Bush was shown a straight red card in the 51st minute after taking down a streaking Carlos Rivas in the box. Kaka scored on backup ‘keeper Eric Kronberg on the subsequent penalty.

The Lions were without leading goal scorers Cyle Larin (Canada) and midfielder Kevin Molino (Trinidad and Tobago), who were both on international duty. The duo had combined for 22 of Orlando’s 41 goals coming into the match but weren’t needed on Wednesday, as Kaka, Brek Shea and Rivas carried the load.

“I’m not surprised,” said Orlando head coach Jason Kreis. “Goal scoring chances don’t come down to one or two players. It comes down to a collective effort by the team.”

Didier Drogba scored from a free kick just 61 seconds into the match for the Impact (9-8-10) — the second-fastest goal in Montreal’s MLS history — after Joseph Bendik whiffed on the ball instead of punching it away. The goal was Drogba’s first in his last six games.

Orlando’s first goal came in the fourth minute, following a collision in the box between Calum Mallace, Hassoun Camara and Donny Toia that gave Shea plenty of time for an easy tap-in to make it 1-1.

Kaka gave Orlando the lead in the 36th minute after defender Toia completely missed his tackle in the box.

“This one is difficult for us because we’re fighting for a playoff spot,” said Drogba. “Things are far from over, but if we want to win the league, there are a lot of things we need to improve.”

Following Kaka’s second goal, the Impact were handed a lifeline in the 69th minute when Matteo Mancosu was taken down in the penalty box, but Bendik saved Drogba’s half-hearted penalty attempt.

Bendik also robbed Drogba in the 39th minute, somehow getting his right hand on the Ivorian’s shot from very close range.

“(Bendik) had several fantastic saves,” said Kronberg. “Obviously the penalty save, he got a fantastic jump on it. The save in the first half, he made himself really big. He had a good game. But after the first three minutes, you wouldn’t have thought that.”

Rivas added Orlando’s fourth goal in the 77th minute as the Lions improved to 2-5-6 on the road this season.

MLS commissioner Don Garber was in attendance at Saputo Stadium for the match. Contrary to popular belief, Garber did not award the 2017 MLS all-star game to Montreal. He did say, however, that Major League Soccer wants to “do something with the Impact” for Montreal’s 375th birthday celebrations next year.

Notes: Montreal plays Orlando a third and final time this season on Oct. 2. … The fastest goal in Montreal’s franchise history in MLS is 23 seconds (Andres Romero on July 3, 2013 versus TFC).

Kelsey Patterson, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

Brazilian star Kaka scores twice to lead Orlando City past Impact

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