Rome, Nov 23 (EFE).- A judge in Milan in Italy has acquitted Orlando City's Brazilian soccer player Ricardo Leite 'Kaka' on charges of tax evasion for lack of evidence.
The judge said that Tamid Sport & Marketing, a company created by the player, was "really operative" and was not formed to avoid paying taxes, as was previously alleged.
Milan prosecutor and lawyer Daniele Ripamonti had asked for the acquittal of Kaka on Oct. 19, claiming that the Brazilian player had granted the rights of his image to a third party for economic interests, not for the purpose of tax evasion.
Facts are an indispensable part of the game of football. All the intrigue of the beautiful game is not merely captured by its motions; facts are the tools with which the game connects to its entities off the pitch. Facts in football veer from the palpably basic ones to bizarrely outlandish ones. Here are 30 of the bizarre football facts that sound like lies, but are actually facts.
1. Brazil’s first official match was against Exeter City. The Brazilian national team was born when an all-star team made up of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paolo’s finest took on the mighty Exeter City in Rio’s Laranjeiras Stadium on July 21 1914, the day when the Brazilian national side was born. The above photo was a poster for the match.
2. England came up with the word “soccer”. It’s a shortened version of “Association Football” that was changed to “Assoc Football”. This was changed to “Soccer”. In 19th century England, it was popular to add the “-er” sound to shortened words.
3. Stefan Schwarz arguably had the most bizarre clause to have ever been inserted into a player’s contract. When signing for Sunderland in 1999, the Swede was banned from travelling into space!
4. Sol Campbell played for five clubs — Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal (twice), Portsmouth, Notts County and Newcastle United — without ever commanding a fee. In a career spanning almost two decades, Campbell played more than 500 club games in English football without ever having had a price tag.
5. After losing a play-off against local rivals Boedo for the right to their black-and-white-striped kit in March 1907, Boca Juniors agreed to visit Buenos Aires harbour and take the colours of the first foreign ship to come in. The 4,146-tonne freighter Drottning Sophia arrived from Copenhagen, flying the Swedish flag and the rest is history. When the club released a limited-edition 105th anniversary shirt in 2010, it even bore the yellow and blue national flag on the front.
6. St Patrick’s Athletic just won the 2015 League of Ireland Cup without beating a league team. They received a bye in the first round, beat non-league Crumlin United 4–1 in the second round (the League of Ireland Cup includes a small number of invited non-league teams), then beat Cork City, Shamrock Rovers and Galway, each on penalties.
7. In 1998, lightning killed an entire football team. This tragedy occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo during a match between the villages of Bena Tshadi and nearby Basangana. Strangely, the lightning annihilated all eleven members of the home team, while all of Basangana’s players were spared with severe burns at worst. This disparity caused many locals to blame the event on some sort of sorcery or witchcraft!
Kris Boyd in Glasgow Rangers colours
8. Scottish striker Kris Boyd managed to be the top scorer for two separate teams in the same season, having moved from Kilmarnock to Rangers in January 2006. He ended the season with 17 goals for Killie and 20 for Rangers in the 2005/06 season, which was good enough to be top scorer for both teams.
9. The English club to have held the world transfer record the most times is Sunderland, who broke it for Warney Cresswell in 1922, Bob Kelly in 1925 and Trevor Ford in 1950. The last English club to hold it was Newcastle United when they paid £15m for Alan Shearer in 1996. Real Madrid have broken the world transfer record the most times (5) for Figo, Zidane, Kaka, Ronaldo and Bale. The last team other than Real Madrid to break the transfer record was Lazio when they paid £36m to Parma for Hernan Crespo.
10. The record for the longest FA Cup tie is held by Oxford City and Alvechurch, who took six ties to sort themselves out in 1971–72. Their record can no longer be broken because of the rule change that limits FA Cup ties to one replay.
11. Former Stoke City defender Danny Higginbotham has played for eight different clubs and one country whose basic colours were red and white. Higginbotham, who started his career at Manchester United, turned out for Southampton, Stoke, Sunderland, Royal Antwerp, Nottingham Forest and Altrincham in his long career, all of whom had red and white as their basic colours. And he also played internationals for Gibraltar, another team with red and white on their kits.
12. Sunderland (6) have more top flight league titles than Chelsea (5), Manchester City (4), and Tottenham (2). Also, Kevin Phillips is the only English player to win the European Golden Shoe. And he played for Sunderland the year he won it.
13. Dutch second division side and erstwhile winners of the Dutch championship NAC Breda’s name expands to Nooit Opgeven Altijd Doorzetten Aangenaam Door Vermaak En Nuttig Door Ontspanning Combinatie Breda.
14. The most prolific goalscorer of all-time is Josef Bican, an Austrian-Bohemian striker who played for Slavia Prague in the 1930s and 1940s. Bican, it is claimed, scored more than 805 goals in his career. His record for Slavia stood at 534 goals in 274 official games at a rate of 1.95 goals per game.
15. Aston Villa finished their league campaign in 11th place when they won the European Cup in the 1981/82 season. It was the lowest league finish for a team winning the European Cup.
16. Jari Litmanen holds an incredibly unique distinction: he is the only footballer to have played international football in four different decades. Litmanen made his senior Finland debut against Trinidad and Tobago in October 1989 and played his last game in November 2010 against San Marino.
17. Burton Albion hold the record for the most away fans at a Manchester United game. 11,000 Burton fans made it to Old Trafford in January 2006 for a FA Cup third round tie. Burton’s home ground, Pirelli Stadium, has a capacity of only 6,912.
18. Sunderland (6) have more top flight league titles than Chelsea (5), Manchester City (4), and Tottenham (2). Also, Kevin Phillips is the only English player to win the European Golden Shoe. And he played for Sunderland the year he won it.
19. Kettering Town were the first British team to have a shirt sponsor. In 1975, the club brokered a four-figure deal with local firm Kettering Tyres and in a Southern League game against Bath City on January 24 1976, they became the first British club to run out with a company’s name emblazoned on their shirts.
20. Northampton Town once made their way up from the Fourth Division to the First Division and then back down to the Fourth Division in the space of 10 seasons. They played their only season of their existence in the top division of English football when they reached the First Division in 1965–66. Northampton had been promoted from the Fourth Division to the First Division in the space of five seasons but were then relegated back to the Fourth Division by 1969–70.
Zinedine Zidane playing for Bordeaux
21. French outfit Girondins de Bordeaux hold the record of the longest cup competition run. In 1995/96, the Bordeaux side featuring Zinedine Zidane, Christophe Dugarry and Bixente Lizarazu had a 20-game European campaign. Here is their run in full:
Bordeaux 6–2 Norrkoping (Intertoto Cup group stage) Bohemian 0–2 Bordeaux (Intertoto Cup group stage) Bordeaux 4–0 Odense (Intertoto Cup group stage) HJK Helsinki 1–1 Bordeaux (Intertoto Cup group stage) Bordeaux 3–0 Eintracht Frankfurt (Intertoto Cup round of 16) Bordeaux 2–0 Heerenveen (Intertoto Cup quarter-finals) Karlsruhe 0–2 Bordeaux (Intertoto Cup semi-final, first leg) Bordeaux 2–2 Karlsruhe (Intertoto Cup semi-final, second leg) Vardar 0–2 Bordeaux (Uefa Cup first round, first leg) Bordeaux 1–1 Vardar (Uefa Cup first round, second leg) Bordeaux 2–1 Rotor Volgograd (Uefa Cup second round, first leg) Rotor Volgograd 0–1 Bordeaux (Uefa Cup second round, second leg) Bordeaux 2–0 Real Betis (Uefa Cup third round, first leg) Real Betis 2–1 Bordeaux (Uefa Cup third round, second leg) Milan 2–0 Bordeaux (Uefa Cup quarter-final, first leg) Bordeaux 3–0 Milan (Uefa Cup quarter-final, second leg) Slavia Prague 0–1 Bordeaux (Uefa Cup semi-final, first leg) Bordeaux 1–0 Slavia Prague (Uefa Cup semi-final, second leg) Bayern Munich 2–0 Bordeaux (Uefa Cup final, first leg) Bordeaux 1–3 Bayern Munich (Uefa Cup final, second leg)
22. Eredivisie side Willem II from Tilburg are named after King Willem II of the Netherlands. Tilburg housed his military headquarters.
23. Diego Maradona once played for Tottenham Hotspur. The Argentine legend donned the whites of Spurs against Inter Milan at White Hart Lane in Ossie Ardiles’ testimonial game back in 1986. Here is the video of El Diego wooing the British crowd.
24. Benfica won the European Cup the first two times they entered it but have not won it in 29 appearances since then.
25. The city of Lusail where the opener and final of the 2022 World Cup will be played has not been built yet.
26. No English manager has won the Premier League title. Leeds United’s Howard Wilkinson won the old First Division title in 1991/92, and since then there have been two Scots, a Frenchman, a Portuguese, two Italians and a Chilean to win the Premier League title, but no Englishman.
27. Aston Villa used only 14 players in winning the First Division championship in 1980–81. Given teams nowadays name more than that number in match day squads, Villa’s record is unlikely to be broken ever unless under extraordinary circumstances.
28. Manchester United goalkeeper Alex Stepney dislocated his jaw while instructing his defenders in a match against Birmingham in 1975. In those days there were no goalkeeper substitutes and midfielder Brian Greenhof went in goal and kept a clean sheet.
29. Dundee United have played and beaten Barcelona 4 times in professional fixtures, giving them a 100% win record. The Terrors beat the Spanish giants home and away in the UEFA Cup in the 1966/67 season and 1986/87 season.
30. Something which defies belief is the fact about Neil Armstrong and his desire to take a football to the moon. Armstrong originally wanted to take a football to the moon – but Nasa deemed it to be un-American. And comparable to the Armstrong saga would be the Masal Bugduv saga. The fictional Bugduv made the rounds in various publications in 2009 as a wunderkind set for his big move to the European elite. You can read about the entire saga here.
TORONTO (AP) -- Diego Fagundez scored for the third straight game and Lee Nguyen set up two goals to help the New England Revolution beat Toronto FC 3-1 on Sunday for their fifth straight Major League Soccer victory.
New England has outscored its opposition 13-2 during the winning streak. It also has a seven-game unbeaten streak.
Fifth-place Toronto dropped six points behind fourth-place New England in the Eastern Conference.
New England took a 2-0 lead in the first half on Fagundez's goal and an own goal from Toronto defender Damien Perquis.
Robbie Findley scored for Toronto early in the second half, ending New England's 340-minute shutout streak. Kelyn Rowe completed the scoring in the 71st minute.
In Orlando, Adrian Winter scored his first two MLS goals as Kaka-less Orlando City beat Sporting Kansas City 3-1 to end a six-game winless streak.
Winter, acquired by expansion Orlando City on July 29, put away a free kick -- which he won -- from Luke Boden on a header from the top left of the box to the bottom-right corner in the third minute. He also scored in the 71st, and Bryan Rochez also had a goal.
Major League Soccer wants to hold a competition between the league and cup winners from the United States and England.
In recent years, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool have played in an annual friendly tournament in the U.S.
“In the past we have had discussions with the Premier League about creating some friendly tournament with their top clubs and our top clubs, and I would love to see that happen,” MLS Commissioner Don Garber told The Associated Press at the SoccerEx convention on Wednesday.
Garber would like a competition between the English Premier League and FA Cup winners and their U.S. counterparts in New York every year or every four years.
“There are calendar issues, there are a wide variety of logistical issues, but if we were able to put it together, speaking on behalf of Major League Soccer, we would love to find a way of getting it done,” Garber said.
“There have been no discussions (with the Premier League) whatsoever that are specific to the details, and there is certainly no agreement in place.”
Orlando City SC midfielder Kaka said his goal is to remain with the Selecao for 2018 World Cup qualifying after the two September friendlies in the United States.
The 2007 Ballon d'Or winner, who played on Brazil's 2002 World Cup winning squad, was a surprise inclusion on Dunga's 24-man squad for two important tests against Costa Rica and the United States. Brazil will face Costa Rica at Red Bull Arena on Sept. 5, before taking on the U.S. team at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 8.
"This year we have four matches more after the two friendlies, and I would like to be part of this group so I will do everything possible," Kaka told ESPN. "In this moment, though, I am thinking about the short period, what I can give to the national team in this moment. I hope at these two friendlies to do everything to stay on national team."
Kaka, the 33-year-old former Milan and Real Madrid player, was included after being left out of the squads for the 2015 Copa America and the 2014 World Cup.
The five-time World Cup champions Brazil will open their World Cup qualifying campaign away against Copa America holders Chile in October.
Their first two home games will be against Venezuela in Fortaleza in October and Peru in Salvador in November.
"I see the national team in a transition period right now. Since the World Cup they have done a great streak with, I think it was 11 matches won and that is a good streak," Kaka said in reference to Brazil having won 10 friendlies in a row headed into Copa America. "And then the Copa America and the loss against Paraguay raised questions again, but I think with patience and all of Brazil behind us we will return to being a credible team."
Brazil lost their second group game in the Copa America to Colombia and were then knocked out by Paraguay on penalties in quarterfinals.
Kaka is the most veteran player in a squad for the two friendlies that includes Neymar, Hulk, Lucas and Oscar but omits Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho and Paris Saint-Germain defender Thiago Silva.
During his professional career, Kaka made more than 89 appearances for Brazil, playing in three World Cups and winning a World Cup title in 2002. The midfielder last featured for Brazil in October 2014, coming off the bench in friendly victories over Japan and Argentina.
He has played a crucial role in Orlando City's inaugural campaign, and the club has attributed his current drought of no goals and just two assists in the last five games to an ankle knock.
"The league is growing a lot," Kaka said of MLS. "Our club is in its first year and it's not easy becausee you are starting a team from zero, new players and a series of things that make a difference in football and so it is not easy.
"But I am happy to play in this league, I see it growing and I know what it can do in future. After I signed with Orlando, many other players who had options in other markets decided to come here.
"I don't know whether my decision influenced them but the fact is that they are here. [NYCFC's Andrea] Pirlo, [LA Galaxy's Steven] Gerrard, [NYCFC's Frank] Lampard, [Galaxy's Gio] dos Santos, [Montreal's Didier] Drogba are all here and for the next markets and transfer windows more will come to play here."
Brazilian international star Ricardo Kaka won't be among those Orlando City SC stars visiting Louisville this week as the Major League Soccer club travels for a friendly with Louisville City FC.
A Louisville City FC announcement Sunday evening noted Kaka flew back to Orlando after Saturday's 5-0 loss to Toronto FC.
Also, the window for Orlando's open practice Monday at Louisville Slugger Field narrowed to 3-4 p.m., a half hour shorter than originally scheduled. But afterward, United States National Team member Brek Shea will be available for a 30-minute meet and greet with fans.
"Hosting this meet-and-greet a day before the club hosts Orlando City is one more way we can show our appreciation to our fans as we continue to showcase the club and the city of Louisville on a national stage," said Amanda Duffy, Louisville City FC's general manager.
Kaka, the Lions' top designated player, registered nine goals in the club's first 18 games this season. In six appearances since, however, he's scoreless.
"Something wrong with Kaká? Not from where I'm watching," Orlando president Phil Rawlins told MLSSoccer.com last week. "He's had a bit of an ankle problem recently, which has limited his training, but he seems fine to me on the field. And, when you see how he works out every day with his fitness coach, how fit he is and his ability to last a full 90 minutes in the Florida heat, we don't have any worries that there's any let-up."
Thứ Sáu, 7 tháng 8, 2015
Making a lasting impact at a club in just five months is a tough task for many, but Orlando City star Kaka has thrived in his playmaking role for the expansion side in Major League Soccer.
In 21 matches for the Lions this season, Kaka has contributed nine goals and four assists to a club in contention for one of the six play-off positions in the Eastern Conference.
“It’s not easy, but it’s been a challenge for us to put these 25 players together and create a team. I think our coach [Adrian Heath] is doing a very good job. I’m happy where the team is at. Hopefully at the end of the season we can at least celebrate [a berth in the] playoffs," the Brazilian told Bleacher Report recently.
One of the key shifts in the player's mindset since starting his first game in purple has helped him produce for the club and lead by example. The highest paid player in the league, per the MLS Players Union salary database, is using the pressure to succeed as a positive.
“Everywhere that I’ve played, there’s been this type of pressure. Sao Paulo, Real Madrid, AC Milan, Brazil national team. I’m used to this situation," Kaka said.
"Now with more maturity and experience, I can convert this pressure into motivation. It’s not a negative thing now for me. It’s a positive thing, so I can work on that and take this as motivation for every game," he continued.
The former FIFA World Player of the Year is not the only one putting in impressive performances week in and week out for Orlando City. Kaka specifically pointed out a few of his teammates have also started the season well in a recent interview at Major League Soccer headquarters in New York City.
“Darwin Ceren is a very good player. He’s doing a very good job. Brek Shea. I didn’t know him before so I’ve had the opportunity to play with him and he’s very good. [Kevin] Molino, who is injured, but for sure he’s going to help us in the next few years," Kaka said.
In his most memorable display of leadership yet, Kaka honored the injured Molino, who is out for the season with an ACL tear, by pulling on the winger's jersey after scoring a penalty in his side's 4-0 win over the LA Galaxy on May 17.
As for the environment in Orlando, the fans are creating one of the best atmospheres in MLS by packing the Citrus Bowl for every home match. Orlando will move into a soccer-specific stadium in 2016.
“It’s been amazing every time we play at Citrus Bowl in front of all the supporters. Every time in every moment in every situation. Our average now is 33,000 for games. This is great. It’s much more than anyone could’ve expected," Kaka said.
Although the Citrus Bowl doesn't rival the Bernabeu or San Siro in terms of its history with the beautiful game, Kaka was able to make one key comparison between the stadiums.
“It’s similar in a way that the supporters support the team and stay with you. The Bernabeu has 80,000. Every game we have over 30,000 and we feel the motivation, and it’s the same because it’s pushing us to win," the Brazilian said.
One of the unique parts of life in MLS is the wide range of traveling done by each club in a season. Unlike Europe, some of the cross-country trips could be over 3,000 miles, depending on where each side is located. Instead of dreading the trips like some new players to the league have in the past, Kaka is taking a different approach.
“I’m enjoying the travel because I’ve been in cities I’ve never been in before. I can see how this league is really growing in not just one part of the country but everywhere. It’s not a problem because we travel every 10 to 15 days. It’s not a big deal," he said.
Another issue some older players coming over from Europe face is the artificial turf at some grounds in MLS. Thierry Henry famously refused to play on the surface during his time with the New York Red Bulls. Although the turf isn't ideal, Kaka just sees it as part of the game.
“I don’t have any problem playing on turf. For sure, I prefer to play on the natural field. Our field is turf. In our new stadium, it will be natural. I have no problem to play on a turf field," the Brazilian explained.
One oddity about MLS Kaka spoke volumes about was the parity throughout the standings. On any given day, the last-placed side in the league could spring an upset on a team such as Seattle, D.C. or LA.
“That’s very good because it creates competition between the teams. Nobody can lay down. Nobody can just give up in the middle of the season because everyone can have a chance to be in the play-offs at the end," he said.
"I think that’s very good and for us as players it makes us ready for every game. You have to be ready for every game because you don’t know what’s going to happen. I think it’s a positive thing," Kaka continued.
Although five months is a small sample size to judge the skill levels of certain opponents, the midfielder did go out of his way to praise a few stars he's already encountered on the MLS circuit.
“There are some players [who have impressed me]. The midfielder of Columbus, No. 6 [Tony Tchani]. He’s a very good player. [Clint] Dempsey is very good, and [Bradley] Wright-Phillips is playing very good," Kaka said.
While he may be one of the top figures in MLS at the moment, Kaka is only one of a handful of Brazilians to ever set foot on an MLS pitch. He believes that is about to change for not only Brazilian stars but those coming over from Europe in their prime like Sebastian Giovinco has already.
“Yes I think so. Here it’s creating a market. China is a big market but China is more for the money. Here is the market for the professional career. Here is going to create a lot of opportunities for South Americans, North Americans and Europeans as well and play a career of five to 10 years. I think the future is going to be a great opportunity [for foreigners] to be here," Kaka said.
As for the status of the Brazil national team, the 33-year-old, who has 89 caps for his country, remained optimistic about the Selecao despite their recent struggles:
“[The] Brazil national team right now is a transition moment. We just came from a very tough World Cup. After that, I think Dunga did a good job winning games. But there is a long way to the next World Cup so he can still work on that. Every game, every step I think Brazil is going to bring the confidence back."
One way the Selecao can bring confidence back to themselves and the proud footballing nation is to win the Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro in 2016. Not only will the men be looking for redemption but the Brazilian women will be looking to enhance their status in the sport after an early exit at the Women's World Cup this summer.
“The Olympics would be great for us. As an event for Brazilians, it will be a great event, but in soccer, there is much more meaning because Brazil’s never won the Olympic games. So it will be a great opportunity for us to get this gold medal. For the women, I think it’s a great opportunity as well. The United States and Japan are one step ahead of us, but the motivation for the women to play at home will be a big point for us," the scorer of 29 international goals said.
As for what the future holds, Kaka decided to keep the focus on his current situation in Orlando ahead of the play-off push.
“I don’t know. I’m focusing in the moment now. I have this year and two more [in Orlando]," he concluded.
MLS All-Star forward David Villa, center, celebrates scoring a goal with teammates Graham Zusi, left, and Omar Gonzalez, right, against Tottenham Hotspur during the first half of the MLS All-Star soccer game, Wednesday, July 29, 2015, in Commerce City, Colo. The game is the...
COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (AP) — The news kids in the league can play a little bit.
Kaka and David Villa, a pair of 33-year-old international icons in their first season in Major League Soccer, showed they still have some panache to their games.
Kaka scored on a penalty kick and set up Villa’s goal minutes later in the first half to help the best players in MLS beat Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 on a blustery Wednesday night.
The MLS improved to 9-3-1 against international competition in its All-Star Game. Kaka, who served as the team’s captain, was selected the game MVP.
“Not bad for my first All Star,” said Kaka, a midfielder for Orlando City. “I didn’t expect that for tonight.
“Everybody is happy, because tomorrow in the soccer world everybody will talk about the MLS All-Star team beating a very good European team.”
Although the MLS players had just one real workout together, coach Pablo Mastroeni said everything flowed together because of Kaka.
“His desire to be here was tremendous,” said Mastroeni, who coaches the Colorado Rapids. “For a guy who’s done everything you can pretty much do in a football career and still have this desire to come and participate in Colorado, in altitude, mid-week, and be excited and hungry about it? That speaks more about the human than the player. … He rubbed off, even for a moment, on a lot of us.”
Harry Kane scored for the Spurs, who open the English Premier League season against Manchester United on Aug. 8.
“As a team we could have done better,” Kane said. “Our first tough game of the preseason, but we created some good chances in the first half.”
Especially Kane, who was stopped three times early in the game by keeper Nick Rimando of Real Salt Lake.
“Have to say thank you to (Rimando),” Kaka said. “He saved the team.”
David Ousted, who plays for Vancouver, took over in goal for the second half. He preserved the lead in the 73rd minute when he made a sprawling save on a point-blank attempt by Josh Onomah.
U.S. national team member DeAndre Yedlin entered the game for Tottenham early in the second half and had a good chance at a goal in the 83rd minute, but sent the ball flying over the crossbar.
The 22-year-old Yedlin was acquired by Tottenham from Seattle and MLS in January. He’s trying to make the Hotspur club and a good showing over the next few days may go a long way to securing a spot this season. He could also be moved to another team on loan.
“I feel comfortable wherever I go, whether it be Tottenham — it doesn’t matter,” Yedlin said. “It’s one of the things you have to deal with as a pro.”
Kaka converted a penalty kick in the 20th minute after a hand ball in the box. Although Spurs keeper Michel Vorm guessed right on Kaka’s kick, he couldn’t stop the shot from the Brazilian midfielder.
Three minutes later, Kaka set up another goal when he delivered a pass that Villa tapped in with his left foot. Villa, who plays for New York City FC, is Spain’s career scoring leader. U.S. national standout Clint Dempsey, a former player at Tottenham before going to Seattle, also was given an assist.
Asked how this MLS bunch would fare as, say, a squad in the Premier League, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino thought they could hold their own.
“They start a couple of wonderful players like Kaka, Villa,” Pochettino said. “They have big skill and top quality.”
Early on, it was a frustrating first half for Kane as he was stopped time and again by Rimando. But Kane wouldn’t be denied in the 37th minute, when he juked defender Omar Gonzalez to create just enough space to unleash a line shot into the corner of the net.
“The keeper was in top form,” Kane said. “Delighted to see the goal go in and delighted to be out there.”
The MLS All Stars were without quite a few big names as Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Steven Gerrard (LA Galaxy), Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Frank Lampard (New York City FC) and Chris Tierney (New England Revolution) all sat out due to injuries.
Landon Donovan attended the game as a spectator. The U.S. soccer great retired last season after winning the MLS title.
Donovan may have found his next calling, though. He stepped into the role of head coach in the MLS Homegrown Game on Tuesday, his side losing in a shootout to Club America under-20s.
Brazilian star Kaka scored one goal and set up another as the MLS All-Stars edged to a 2-1 victory over Tottenham in Colorado.
Kaka, who plays for MLS franchise Orlando City, opened the scoring from the spot in the 20th minute after Nacer Chadli was penalised for handball.
The former AC Milan and Real Madrid forward made no mistake from 12 yards, drilling the ball low past Michel Vorm's despairing dive.
Tottenham goalkeeper Michel Vorm looks on as David Villa (7) celebrates after doubling the lead for the MLS All-Stars
The All-Stars struck again soon, with Kaka crossing for New York City's former Spain and Barcelona star David Villa to steer the ball into the back of the net on 23 minutes.
Tottenham striker Harry Kane, denied twice from close range by MLS goalkeeper Nick Rimando, pulled one back for Spurs with a sublime individual effort on 37 minutes.
Kane capitalised on Matt Besler's unfortunate tumble to the ground and charged towards goal, faking Omar Gonzalez before blasting a shot past the Real Salt Lake to half the deficit at the break.
Kaka scored from the penalty spot to give MLS All-Stars the lead
An all-new set of MLS stars took the field in the second half while Spurs swapped generously as well, including introducing American defender DeAndre Yedlin in the 64th minute for a home-soil appearance.
Danny Rose sent a threatening cross from the left corner to the heart of the penalty area for Yedlin in the 86th minute but MLS goalkeeper David Ousted was on hand to deny the full-back as Spurs pushed yet failed to score an equaliser.
"As a team, we could have done better," said Kane. "It was our first tough game of the pre-season, but we created some good chances in the first half.
"The keeper was in top form. I was delighted to see the goal go in and delighted to be out there."
The MLS now lead Premier League teams 5-3 in the overall All-Star games standings. Kaka, who was captain, was named the game's MVP.
"Not bad for my first All-Star," said the former AC Milan midfielder "I didn't expect that for tonight.
"Everybody is happy, because tomorrow in the soccer world everybody will talk about the MLS All-Star team beating a very good European team."
Former Premier League stars Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard were ruled out earlier in the week due to injuries
The MLS All-Stars were without quite a few big names, as Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Steven Gerrard (LA Galaxy), Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy), Frank Lampard (New York City FC) and Chris Tierney (New England Revolution) all sat out due to injuries.
Six-year-old Brazilian boy Paulo Costa Boa Nova was born with a genetic defect that left him without part of his right arm.
But now, thanks to a group of Florida students working for free in their spare time, Paulo has a 3D-printed bionic arm that will provide him with life opportunities he would have otherwise been denied.
The new limb was presented to Paulo in Orlando by players from the MLS team Orlando City Soccer Club, including captain and Brazil star Kaka.
It is the latest in a series of projects led by volunteer students at the University of Central Florida. They have set up a non-profit organisation called Limbitless Solutions, and work between classes and at weekends to produce 3D-printed limbs, specially tailored to the children who need them. Paulo’s arm for example was themed around two things he is passionate about: Brazilian football team Fluminense and Iron Man.
The students have been helped along by one of the leading additive manufacturing companies, Stratasys, who donated a new 3D printer to the project earlier this year.
It all started last summer when mechanical engineering doctoral student Albert Manero heard about a Florida 6-year-old in need of a prosthetic arm. He and a group of classmates spent the next eight weeks building the limb at a cost of 350$. The team have since produced six arms in the US, while Paulo is the first international recipient.
There are four more limbs in production but, inundated with emails asking for help from around the world, there are hundreds of children on a waiting list. Limbitless search out partners for each limb they provide for free, to make each delivery a special moment for the child in question. In the case of Paulo, they teamed up with Orlando City SC, as well various local businesses who enabled his trip from Brazil.
Additive manufacturing is being increasingly employed in the healthcare sector to provide prosthetics, replacements for bone matter and even organs. 3D printing is also improving the tools that are available to surgeons and other healthcare workers.
It is thought that over the next decade the process will be used extensively in heart surgery, knee, shoulder and hip replacements, cranial implants and spinal procedures, to name but a few 3D printing health applications.
A dream comes true for Paulo Nova who receives a new arm from top footballer Kaka after being born without part of his arm.
A six-year-old Brazilian boy has received a bionic arm from fellow Brazilian Kaka, the former AC Milan and Real Madrid star and one of the world's top footballers.
Paulo Costa Boa Nova was born without part of his arm due to a genetic defect.
Paulo holds the ball with his new arm
His difficulty came to the attention of students at the University of Central Florida - calling themselves Limbitless Solutions - and 3D printing manufacturer, Stratasys, who worked with students to create an arm for the young boy.
Paulo was brought over to Orlando and, through the Orlando City Soccer Club, presented with his new limb.
After shaking hands with Kaka, he was given the chance to play some football with the team captain and other players, including the UCF students who are studying in different fields and come together to build bespoke hands and arms for free.
The presentation was given at the Orlando City Soccer Club
Paulo is the first person outside the US to be given such a limb.
"This is what it is all about," said Albert Manero, charity founder and mechanical engineering doctoral student, as he watched Paulo flex his new arm and smile.
"To change a life, to make a difference. That's why we do this."
Kaka, 33, won the Champions League with AC Milan and was named 2007 World Footballer of the Year and Ballon d'Or winner before making a big money move to Real Madrid.
He has made 89 appearances for the Brazil national team, scoring 29 goals. He was part of the squad which won the 2002 World Cup, also competing in 2006 and 2010.
Making a lasting impact at a club in just five months is a tough task for many, but 
MLS All-Star forward David Villa, center, celebrates scoring a goal with teammates Graham Zusi, left, and Omar Gonzalez, right, against Tottenham Hotspur during the first half of the MLS All-Star soccer game, Wednesday, July 29, 2015, in Commerce City, Colo. The game is the...
