MLS: Nani inspires Orlando City, Columbus win again

Nani inspired Orlando City to an impressive win in MLS, while Columbus Crew are clear atop the Eastern Conference.

Former Manchester United attacker Nani scored and provided an assist in Orlando’s 4-1 thrashing of the Chicago Fire on Saturday.

After Chris Mueller opened the scoring, he crossed for Nani to head in a second in the 24th minute.

Given a chance to get back into the game, Chicago squandered it when Alvaro Medran had a penalty well saved by Pedro Gallese.

Chicago took their next chance from the spot through Robert Beric early in the second half, but Orlando sealed their win late.

Junior Urso scrambled in from inside the area after Nani’s set-piece went uncleared, and the Portuguese attacker’s pass later found Benji Michel to finish off in additional time.

.@AlmightBenji puts the exclamation point on the #OrlandoCity win pic.twitter.com/yBpYVVfptb

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 20, 2020

Orlando are second in the Eastern Conference, five points behind the high-flying Columbus Crew.

Second-half goals from Pedro Santos and Gyasi Zardes saw Columbus record a 2-0 win over Nashville.

Diego Valeri netted a brace as the Portland Timbers crushed the San Jose Earthquakes 6-1 at Avaya Stadium.

Fresh off confirming the signing of Gonzalo Higuain, Inter Miami recorded a second win in three matches by beating Atlanta United 2-1.

Elsewhere, a 10-man LA Galaxy fell to the Colorado Rapids 2-0 and Dallas also finished with 10 but recorded a 3-2 win over Sporting Kansas City.

Haris Medunjanin scored directly from a corner in the 85th minute as Cincinnati beat the New York Red Bulls 1-0 and the Vancouver Whitecaps beat a 10-man Real Salt Lake 2-1.

 HARIS MEDUNJANIN OLIMPICO pic.twitter.com/vN3OGwo58L

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 20, 2020

New York City drew 0-0 with the New England Revolution, DC United and Toronto played out a 2-2 draw, while the Houston Dynamo and Minnesota United did likewise.