Benefit, farewell and remembrance combined in one soccer match Saturday night when Orlando City hosted Puerto Rico’s national team.

The Lions won 6-1 and helped raise thousands of dollars for the United for Puerto Rico Fund to aid the island’s recovery from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The total amount raised will be calculated in the coming days.

But the friendly competition also served as a way to keep the Major League Soccer team together one more week, say good-bye to Kaká, who announced last month he will not renew his contract, and honor a fallen supporter, Joseph Campo Jr., who died in a car crash on Halloween.

“It certainly will go down in my history, my record books for being a special night to be a part of,” Lions coach Jason Kreis said after the game. “I will put that feather in my cap and I will appreciate it forever.”

The announced crowd of 8,231 favored Puerto Rico and leapt off the stadium seats when David Caban scored in the 19th minute to give the U.S. territory a 1-0 lead.

About 20 minutes later, Kaká send a long ball toward the box, where Dom Dwyer controlled it and released a shot that flew by Puerto Rico goalkeeper Mathew Sanchez to even the score before halftime.

Kreis called the first 45 minutes frustrating, while Puerto Rico coach Carlos Cantarero said it “really showed what Puerto Rican soccer is capable of.”

“We had limitations in Puerto Rico with the situation we’re living in, training, being able to get the group together,” Cantarero said through a translator. “The second half, physically, you could kind of tell the difference.”

Cyle Larin scored the go-ahead goal in the 59th minute off an assists by Dillon Powers and the Lions gained momentum from there.

Earl Edwards Jr. played in goal instead of regular starter Joe Bendik. Right back Kevin Alston, who spent the year on loan with Orlando City B, also started instead of Scott Sutter. And Richie Laryea and Victor “PC” Giro, who served mostly as substitutes during the MLS season, joined Will Johnson and Antonio Nocerino in the Lions’ midfield while Dom Dwyer and team captain Kaka started up top.

At halftime, Kreis switched out nearly the entire lineup, staying true to his word of using substitutes liberally so as many players as possible could be on the field with Kaká one last time.

A video montage of Kaká played before the match, showing some of his most memorable moments — his signing, first arrival at the airport, goals, the time he watched a match with supporters on The Wall and the viral video of him singing in the car with Antonio Nocerino and other players — the past three years.

Just before kickoff, the lights dimmed and began flashing and the captain was presented with a plaque that read, “Forever a Lion.”

When he subbed off in the 65th minute, he embraced every teammate on his way off the pitch and the crowd stood to cheer and whistle as the Brazilian legend’s Orlando City minutes officially came to an end.

“When I went off the field tonight and saw the supporters and everybody … this made me very, very happy. I know every time I want to come here I will be welcome,” Kaká said. “When I came here, the community of Orlando they just knew about basketball, maybe, and football, and now after three years I know a lot of people here love soccer as well. This is something that makes me very happy.”

Photos of Campo also flashed on the big screen before the match while the song “Bro Hymn” by the rock band Pennywise blared through the speakers. Supporters on The Wall created a banner with an image of Campo’s signature Purple Deadpool mask painted on the front and the words, “#BeJoe” written down the side.

In the 69th minute, the supporters held a moment of silence as someone stood in front of The Wall wearing Campo’s mask and No. 69 Orlando City jersey.

During the tribute, Orlando City forward Hadji Barry scored a goal to take a 3-1 lead over Puerto Rico.

Seb Hines made it a 4-1 lead in the 79th minute and Orlando City scored again seven minutes later when Pierre Da Silva crossed the ball to Rafael Ramos, whose shot bounced off the crossbar right to Tony Rocha for the finish. Larin scored the final goal in the 90th minute off an assist by Ramos.

“To play this game was incredible because of the cause,” Kaká said. “It was not just about the soccer game, it was for people in a country that needs our support right now and we tried to do our best tonight and help these people that really need us.”

ardelgallo@orlandosentinel.com