Sporting Kansas City 1-1 Orlando City: Nani backheel rescues point in MLS

Nani scored a 79th-minute equaliser as Orlando City salvaged a 1-1 draw at Sporting Kansas City in MLS action on Friday.

Orlando, who opened their 2021 season with a goalless draw against Atlanta United, had not gone two consecutive games without scoring since August 2019 and they avoided doing so thanks to former Manchester United star Nani.

Gianluca Busio put Sporting KC ahead on the stroke of half-time – Orlando goalkeeper Pedro Gallese’s pass picked off by Daniel Salloi, who teed up his team-mate.

Sporting KC won their final three regular-season home games in 2020 – the last visiting side to take a regular-season point in Kansas City were Orlando on September 23.

Captain cool @luisnani | #VamosOrlando pic.twitter.com/OihT5gCfjU

— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) April 24, 2021

A cheeky backheel from Nani rescued a point for visiting Orlando with 11 minutes remaining at Children’s Mercy Park, where the goal had initially been ruled offside before a video review.

Both teams had goals ruled out for offside in the first half – Nicolas Isimat-Mirin’s rebound and Benji Michel’s effort.