Few players in Orlando City carry the emotional weight of Kevin Molino.
Molino was brought in specifically for the team’s eventual bummp up to MLS. But he would spend that first year at USL PRO. The hard scrabble, dominant teams of those era that played to large, but smaller crowds, and had to be the foundation for the MLS.
The Trinidad and Tobago national was the one that came up with the team. Reaching MLS was his moment.
And then it was gone. In a friendly no less.
Just as Molino seemed to be asserting himself like he did in USL — where he set a league record for goals in Orlando City’s final year — his season ended thanks to a torn ACL. His season was over, and it was not clear if he would ever be the same again.
The journey back was long. But he had support.
Kaka famously donned Molino’s jersey after scoring a penalty kick against the Los Angeles Galaxy, a meaningful gesture from one of the world’s best players. Kaka gave Molino another gift, ceding a penalty kick to Molino so Molino could score his first MLS goal earlier this year.
The camaraderie is something that is apparently admired around the league. As Kei Kamara and Federico Higuain battled for ego control of the Columbus Crew, Kamara said he admired the connection between Kaka and Cyle Larin. Kaka and Larin actually have few assist opportunities. The connection between Kaka and Molino and even Molino and Larin seems to be a bit more stronger.
Molino has begun to find his footing in MLS again. With Kaka dealing with injuries throughout the year, Molino has had to slide into that center attacking role. He has had to be the one to distribute the ball successfully to the attacking third.
Molino has four goals and two assists entering Sunday’s game at Sporting Kansas City. Larin is the one who scores the goals, Molino is the one that makes the plays to get the team into the attacking third right now. And scores a few goals himself.
He has reached top form and Molino wants more, as he told OrlandoCitySC.com:
“All the work I’ve been putting in over the past couple months, it shows,” Molino said. “Don’t take it for granted because I remember being away from the game for nine, 10 months so it’s just keeping that mentality and continue working hard to help the team qualify for the playoffs.
“Four goals is not enough. Ten is not enough. I need to keep going to the very end.”
Molino will be a really important player. He is finally healthy and playing at the level everyone envisioned for him when he signed with the team back in the USL PRO days. The dream of playing in the MLS and taking that step up in his career has come true.
And Molino looks like he belongs. And his teammates recognize his importance.
As Orlando City tries to break this run of draws and get back into the win column, Kaka’s overall health will play a role. The team is significantly better with Kaka in the game. But also significantly better with Molino because of his ability to attack and score.
It all seems to be coming together for Molino at the right time as he makes the most of his first fully healthy season. And he has the support not only of the supporters but his team in doing so.
