Kaka powers Orlando past Portland

WASHINGTON, April 4, (RTRS): Kaka made up for lost time in his first Major League Soccer game of the season by scoring a goal and providing two assists as Orlando City eased to a 4-1 rout of defending MLS Cup champions Portland Timbers on Sunday.

The dynamic Brazilian quickly showed he would not be hampered by the thigh injury that kept him out of the first three games of the campaign by setting up two goals in the opening 32 minutes before scoring immediately after halftime.

Orlando were all over visiting Portland from the kickoff and opened the scoring in the 13th minute when English defend- er Seb Hines headed home a pinpoint Kaka free kick into the area.

American Brek Shea doubled the advantage in the 32nd minute when he capped a nifty give-and-go with Kaka by sending a left-footed blast to the top right-hand corner. Portland had a chance to cut Orlando’s lead in half but Nigerian Fanendo Adi’s spot kick was saved by Joe Bendik after Shea was penalised for handball in the 42nd minute.

The miss proved costly as former World Player of the Year Kaka ghosted into the area to slot home in the 48th minute and a Kevin Molino penalty 30 minutes later put the game out of reach.

The Belgian made a scoring return against Bournemouth on Saturday as City ran out 4-0 winners to remain in fourth place, 15 points behind leaders Leicester having played a game less.

De Bruyne was sidelined after injuring ankle and knee ligaments at the end of January and City slumped to four defeats and a draw in seven Premier League games without him.

“I know the team has a lot of quality but this season has been too much up and down, we’ve not been consistent on a good level and that’s the main issue as to