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Friday night’s Sporting KC-Orlando City match had a little bit of everything for VAR haters, with three goals disallowed, two by the VAR. But VAR giveth and VAR taketh: An incredible Nani goal was initially ruled offside, but the VAR reversed the decision as the Portuguese star gave the visitors a 1-1 draw on Friday in Kansas City, Kansas.
MLS almost always posts full-match highlights of every game to YouTube, but perhaps because of the VAR nonsense, the only highlight posted from Friday’s game was the Nani goal, and for good reason. It was a cheeky backheel of the highest quality and capped a game full of frustration.
KC’s Nicolas Isimat-Mirin had a goal disallowed by the VAR inside 13 minutes and Benji Michel’s goal for Orlando was called back by the offside flag.
Orlando bossed possession in the first half, but it was Gianluca Busio who struck first for Kansas City, against the run of play.
GIANLUCA BUSIO!@SportingKC take the lead just before the break! #SKCvORL pic.twitter.com/AhZljkDOqw
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 24, 2021
Another young American had a goal disallowed when Andrés Perea’s strike for Orlando was ruled offside by the VAR early in the second half.
VAR strikes again...
1-0 | #SKCvORL— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) April 24, 2021
When Orlando City finally scored — via the spectacular Nani goal — there was of course more VAR suspense. Eventually, the correct call was made — after Stu Holden’s voice reached levels I did not think he was capable of — and Nani and his teammates could exhale.
Nani Goal vs Sporting KC
Despite the frustrations, the VAR does generally get the calls right, which is all you can ask for.
In non-VAR news, KC coach Peter Vermes took part in his 600th MLS match, 391 as Sporting’s manager, the other 209 as a player. The only other person to take part in 600 MLS matches is Jason Kreis, who played 327 and coached 335.
Mr. 600
Our fearless leader Peter Vermes is taking part in his 600th match tonight, as a player and coach. #OneSportingWay | #SportingKC https://t.co/ILPKcawN0J pic.twitter.com/AA1YSH0XGd— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) April 23, 2021
