Sporting Kansas City crushes Orlando City ... even after red card to Willy Agada

Sporting KC returned to MLS play for the first time since July 20, and the fireworks quickly followed.

And maybe even a hint of life as the stretch run of the MLS regular season gets underway.

Sporting earned a 3-0 win over Orlando City SC at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday evening. Jake Davis got Sporting on the scoreboard just before halftime. He picked up a loose ball at the top of the penalty area and dribbled past multiple Orlando City midfielders before firing a left-footed shot into the top corner.

Daniel Salloi doubled the lead on the other side of halftime thanks to an effective counterattack jump-started by his clearance in the defensive penalty area. Salloi intercepted a cross and cleared it to Davis, who took the ball the length of the field.

Salloi made a lung-bursting run to get upfield. Davis played a pass to Erik Thommy, who laid it off for Salloi; he fired a shot past goalkeeper Pedro Gallese for his 100th career goal contribution with Sporting KC (60 goals, 40 assists).

It looked like Sporting would simply cruise to victory, but Willy Agada’s red card in the 70th minute made things interesting. His foul on Facundo Torres was initially deemed a second yellow card, but it was upgraded to a straight red for serious foul play by head referee Tim Ford after video review.

Sporting KC’s back line held on, even through 12 minutes of stoppage time. And Sporting even added to the lead.

In the 92nd minute, Alan Pulido chased down a ball to the end line and sent a pass back into the wide-open space of the midfield. Remi Walter, who came on as a second-half substitute, had plenty of time to set up a shot on his favored left foot. He found the top corner to make it 3-0.

Sporting KC has a quick turnaround, returning to action on Tuesday night for a high-stakes U.S. Open Cup semifinal against Indy Eleven of the USL Championship. That match kicks off at Children’s Mercy Park at 7 p.m.

Daniel Sperry covers soccer for The Star. He can be reached at sperry.danielkc@gmail.com.