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.
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.
Maintaining a provisional hold of second place in the Western Conference standings, Sporting will aim to bounce back Sunday with a trip to the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.