Orlando City SC 4, Portland Timbers 1 | MLS Match Recap

Dan Itel

Orlando City SC were rude hosts to the reigning MLS Cup champions Sunday night, routing the Portland Timbers 4-1 on goals from Seb Hines, Brek Shea, Kaká and Kevin Molino, with a Joe Bendik penalty kick save thrown in for good measure.

Substitute Jack McInerney cleaned up a rebound for the Timbers' only goal of the night, coming in the 89th minute with Orlando already up 4-0.

Orlando, now winners in their last two, came out flying on the Citrus Bowl turf and struck first when Hines headed home a pinpoint Kaká set piece from about 35 yards out in the 13th minute.

The dominance continued when Kaká, making his season debut after an injury sidelined him for the first three games, and Shea teamed up for a nifty give-and-go goal on the left wing in the 32nd minute. Shea capped off the sequence with a left-footed blast to the back post to once again beat Timbers goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey.

Portland's helplessness was underscored when a Fanendo Adi penalty kick – that would have cut Orlando’s lead in half – was saved by Bendik after Shea was whistled for a handball in the box in the 42nd minute.

Orlando then kept piling on right after halftime when Kaká slotted past Kwarasey in the 48th minute and Molino scored his first MLS goal on a 76th-minute penalty kick after he was clipped down in the box. The Timbers are now winless in their last three, with two losses, after winning the season opener.

Box Score

13’ – ORL – Seb Hines (Kaka)
32’ – ORL – Brek Shea (Kaka)
48’ – ORL – Kaka
78' - ORL - Kevin Molino (PK)
89' - POR - Jack McInerney (Diego Valeri)
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Three Things

WORTH THE WAIT: Kaká made up for lost time in his 2016 debut after a thigh injury delayed his season start. The dynamic Brazilian turned in several weeks of production for a normal player in 48 minutes, recording assists on Orlando’s first two goals and then making the rout official with a goal of his own right after halftime. Orlando’s four goals equaled their output from their first three, Kaká-less, games.
MORE THAN A GOAL: Molino’s PK meant a whole lot more than a meaningless tally at the end of a rout that was long decided. A feel-good story as an Orlando original from the team’s USL days signed to an MLS contract ahead of the Lions’ expansion season last year, Molino lost the year to an ACL tear after seven games. He came back healthy this year and has started in all four of Orlando’s games this season. Recognizing the golden opportunity for Molino to open his account, Kaká – Orlando's normal penalty taker – handed him the ball for the spot kick.
POOR STARTING TIMBERS: Portland have now conceded the first eight goals in their last three games before they’ve been able to get on the board. It’s resulted in two losses and a draw. San Jose jumped out to a 2-0 lead three weeks ago in a 2-1 Timbers loss, and Portland coughed up the first two goals in an eventual 2-2 draw two weeks ago with Real Salt Lake. The Timbers have also been outscored 6-1 by Orlando in their only two meetings.