A struggling performance from the Lions, and a Kei Kamara hat-trick brought a lethal blow to Orlando City’s playoff chances.

A three-goal performance from Kamara lifted the New England Revolution past Orlando City, 4-0, on Saturday at Gillette Stadium.

Kamara, who recorded his first career MLS hat trick, opened the scoring in the 26th minute, but it was toward the closing moments of the match when the Revs (9-12-5, 32 points) put away the game with three unanswered goals.

Kamara doubled the lead in the 75th minute after finishing a give-and-go with Lee Nguyen, who finished with four assists.

Orlando City (8-12,7, 31 points) went down to 10 players in the 80th minute when defender Jose Aja was issued a second yellow for a red for a foul on Kamara.

Kamara secured his hat trick in the 89th minute when defender Leo Pereira failed to clear a ball, leaving the forward to capitalize on the loose ball for the 3-0 lead. Teal Bunbury capped the scoring for New England in the 92nd minute of stoppage time.

What Orlando City head coach Jason Kreis had to say: 

“I think we have to be extremely discouraged and disappointed. Another game where things are going okay, working in and around their penalty box, creating a few chances and then we allow the goal and then we have some more chances and we don’t finish. Then to allow the second goal and the ejection, you pretty much know the night is dead. I don’t think the game was a 4-0 game by any stretch of the imagination but that’s what happens when you’re 2-0 down and you suffer an ejection.”

What’s next?

The Lions continue their road stretch with a game on Saturday at RFK Stadium to take on DC United at 7 p.m.

Here’s how the Lions lined up: 

Orlando City starting XI: Bendik; Toia, Pereira, Aja, Sutter; Nocerino; Barnes, Kaká, Powers; Rivas, Dwyer.

Orlando City subs: Edwards Jr., Johnson, Redding, Carrasco, PC, Rocha, Barry.

(Photo Courtesy of New England Revolution) 

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