Revolution 4, Orlando City 0: Kamara’s hat trick fuels victory

The Revolution opened its September account with a 4-0 win over guests Orlando City SC Saturday night. Kei Kamara scored his first career hat trick, Lee Nguyen tied a league record with four assists and the Revs kept its playoff hopes alive with a much-needed victory.

At the onset of the first half, the Revs got off on the front foot, immediately asserting itself as the more dangerous side. Kamara, Juan Agudelo and the rest of the Revs attack put constant pressure on the Orlando City back line, which made it difficult for the Lions to play out of its defensive third.

In the 26th minute, the Revs received a reward for their hard work when Scott Caldwell took a Lee Nguyen pass and immediately played a cross onto Kamara. The veteran forward took a touch past Joe Bendik to give the Revs a 1-0 advantage.

Following a pair of strong saves from goalkeeper Cody Cropper, the Revolution appeared to take a two-goal lead when Teal Bunbury combined with Lee Nguyen for a 43rd-minute goal. Several moments after play continued, word spread that referee Robert Sibiga had disallowed the goal using VAR. Replay confirmed that Sibiga made the correct call; Bunbury was offside before assisting Nguyen.

Despite playing well enough to hold a multi-goal lead, the Revs went into the break up 1-0.

On the opposite side of halftime, Orlando looked more comfortable in possession. The club began to consistently create chances for the first time, riding the inventiveness of Kaka to a promising first 20 minutes of the second half.

But the Revs refused to break. And in the 75th minute, the club put away the Lions for good when Kamara held up in front of three defenders, played Bunbury out wide, made a run at goal, received a pass from Nguyen and slipped a shot past Bendik.

Five minutes later, Kamara drew a foul on Orlando center back Jose Aja that resulted in a second yellow card. The Lions played the rest of the way with 10 men. And the Revs made them pay.

Kamara scored once more to complete his hat trick in the 89th minute, taking advantage of an Orlando turnover—and poor defending—to turn a Lee Nguyen through ball into a one-on-one goal.

Shortly thereafter, Kamara exited the match for newcomer Krisztian Nemeth, and the Hungarian forward immediately made himself known with a deep run down the left channel. As he so often did for Sporting KC in 2015, Nemeth played an inch-perfect cross in front of goal. His pass found Bunbury, who buried a shot past Bendik.

Nemeth’s first touches resulted in his first Revolution assist—and the fourth Revolution goal on the night.

The Revolution will hit the field next on Saturday, when the club hosts the Montreal Impact at Gillette Stadium.