Orlando City has gone three games and earned five points to begin climbing the standings and place themselves among the early leaders in the Eastern Conference. And they have done all this without arguably their best player, continuing to piece together a midfield and relying heavily on Cyle Larin for offense.
Kaka will be back for Sunday’s game against the defending MLS Cup champion Portland Timbers. The Brazilian superstar and face of the franchise should be available to play in Sunday’s game, he tells Alicia Del Gallo of the Orlando Sentinel:
“It was a tough period,” Kaká said Tuesday in his first interview with media since the season began. “But I always take experiences on the bright side. If it was one week before, it would be much worse. So, it’s OK, no problem, I’m ready to play now. It was a tough period, but I’m ready now.”
Kaka missed the first three games of the season with a thigh strain. He was unable to get back to a game-level fitness and get onto the field.
It was agonizing for him as he displayed in tweets during last Friday’s win over NYCFC. But Kaka was still in good spirits and having fun watching his team win.
Game over! Great win boys! ?????? pic.twitter.com/FgJu7e5AxN
— Kaka (@KAKA) March 19, 2016
Undoubtedly though, the team will be made better with his presence on the pitch.
Kaka is Orlando City’s best playmaker and obviously the international superstar everyone focuses their defense on. At many points last season, defenses swarmed and surrounded Kaka forcing the ball away from him.
The Lions have almost certainly relieved that pressure with offseason acquisitions like Antonio Nocerino and the return of Kevin Molino from injury.
But Kaka is still Kaka. Orlando City needs its best playmaker and the guy who can draw a crowd. The Lions changed their formation this year to get Kaka and Molino closer to net to support Larin offensively.
That has not been fully realized yet. It cannot until Orlando City’s best player is back on the field.
That appears to be on its way this weekend.
