Los Angeles (AFP) – The MLS postseason race is bringing out the best in Orlando City FC as they routed the Montreal Impact 4-1 in a one-sided battle between playoff contenders.

Kaka scored twice and Carlos Rivas tallied a goal and two assists for Orlando City who kept their postseason hopes on track with a strong performance on the road at Saputo Stadium.

They were coming off a 2-1 win over first-place New York City FC in their most recent contest and beat the Impact by the same 2-1 score in the last meeting between the two Eastern Conference clubs on May 21.

Brek Shea also had a goal and goalkeeper Jack Bendik had four saves for Orlando City.

They managed for the most part to keep the Impact’s dynamic duo of Didier Drogba and Ignacia Piatti in check.

Drogba did bust loose to open the scoring two minutes into the contest as the teams traded early goals.

But Shea tied the game 1-1 two minutes later with a goal off an assist from Rivas in front of the crowd of 17,400. 

Kaka gave the Lions a 2-1 lead at intermission, with the first of his two off another assist from Rivas.

In the 54th minute Kaka scored off a penalty-kick that gave Orlando City a 3-1 lead. Rivas rounded out the scoring with about 12 minutes left in regulation.

Orlando City improved to 7-7-13 to move into the sixth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. It was just their second win on the road this season.

The Impact dropped to 9-8-10, good for fifth place.

In the other contest Wednesday night, Joao Plata scored twice in the second half as Real Salt Lake rallied to a 3-3 draw with the Los Angeles Galaxy.