For the fourth time this season, the Lions had the lead only to have it squandered minutes later.

For the sixth consecutive game, Orlando City is winless after second-half goals from Dom Dwyer and Jacob Peterson powered Sporting Kansas City to a 2-1 victory on Sunday in front of 19,080 in attendance at Children’s Mercy Park.

“We knew the way they were going to play. They’re a team that loves to have the majority of possession, but they leave themselves really open to the counterattack,” said Orlando assistant coach Mark Watson who was filling in for the suspended Adrian Heath.

“I thought the first half was pretty good. They had the majority of possession, were more dangerous,” Watson added. “But I thought we defended well and, when it was necessary, had four or five really good opportunities on the counterattack.”

Ricardo Kaká, left, goes up for the ball against a Sporting Kansas City player in a match against between Orlando City and Sporting Kansas City at Children’s Mercy Park on Sunday, May 15, 2016. (Courtesy of Sporting Kansas City)

The first half was scoreless, but Orlando was able to find two scoring chances when Ricardo Kaká, Brek Shea and Cyle Larin connected on two occasions in the 21st and 38th minute.

Sporting KC outshot Orlando 34-7, and that played a major factor in the win since a majority of the shots were driven in the second half.

OCSC (2-3-5, 11 points) got their first breakthrough in the 67th minute when David Mateos headed a Kaká corner kick toward goal. Jimmy Medranda’s failed clearance of the ball resulted in an own goal and an important lead for the Lions. 

But the lead was short-lived as Benny Feilhaber’s flick to Peterson connected with Dwyer in a header combination to level the score in the 74th minute. Peterson secured the lead against a depleted Lions squad in the 79th minute after finishing off a Roger Espinoza cross.

The result for SKC (5-6-2, 17 points) snapped a seven-game winless run.

Luke Boden, Júlio Baptista and Carlos Rivas were the used substitutes in Sunday’s game at Kansas City.

The Lions also played without central midfielder Cristian Higuita due to suspension.

Orlando City is back home at Camping World Stadium on Saturday to take on Didier Drogba and the Montreal Impact at 7:30 p.m.

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Photos courtesy of Sporting Kansas City Communications.

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