Orlando's Kaka eager for 2017 but demands more pressure, winning mentality

ORLANDO, Fla. – Call it unfinished business, professional integrity or just sheer frustration. But Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite wants it to be known there will be hell to pay if Orlando City SC isn’t a playoff team this time next year.

That is about as determined and outspoken as Orlando's captain – otherwise known as Kaká – has been in his two years with the team to date

In a season in which he has made 23 appearances, scored eight goals and chalked up eight assists, Kaká is not happy with sitting on the wrong side of the red line for the second year in a row. Orlando play their final game at Camping World Stadium on Sunday against D.C. United (4 pm ET; MLS LIVE). But the great Brazilian was already looking ahead as much as back at the last two years when he spoke to the media on Thursday.

Kaká said there is no doubt in his mind that he will definitely be back for 2017, but that he wants to see some significant changes.

In the first instance, he wants greater all-round commitment from his teammates, and a club-wide dedication to creating a winning culture.

“The most important thing we need to change for next season is our mentality,” Kaká said. “We need to have a winning mentality and this will change a lot of things. It is different when I just want to win and I can sacrifice something for winning. So this is what I expect for the next season, for the players, for the staff, that we really want to sacrifice something [to reach] our targets.

“In my opinion, the club needs to set some targets for the team, and the coach needs to put some goals and some inside competition. I think it’s fair, and when it is fair competition it is very good for everybody, to put some pressure on us. This is something we need to improve, to get better for the next season, and challenge us to do better.”

The playmaker has experienced that at nearly every previous stop in his career, and the lack of tangible progress on the field with Orlando clearly chafes at the former World Player of the Year, even given the extenuating circumstances with injuries, international call-ups and a change of head coach.

Kaká has been happy with his own form, but disappointed with the series of niggling injuries that sidelined him for almost half of the season's first 20 games. On the plus side, he has started the last 13 in a row, and he insists he is still raring to go for the final season of his three-year deal with the Lions.

“I am still ready and I want to win every game,” he said. “Unfortunately this season I had a few injuries, small injuries, but they took me out of some games. It is part of the game and it is something I can’t control, but next season I will try to get better, physically.

“Next season we have to get to the playoffs, because to stay out and be watching the other teams playing, it is very hard for me.”

Kaká fully expects the Lions to hit the reset button to a certain extent in the next few months, and then to come back to life in the preseason with a mixture of new players and a longer, more consistent learning period under coach Jason Kreis.

“For now, this is a period where we are going to have to wait,” he added. “The coach and the club will work in the offseason on the players who are going to leave and the players who are going to come [in], so we will see what happens. But in these last few games, I think Jason showed us a little of what he wants and what he expects for next season.”

Kreis wants a more defensive-minded, high-pressing team that more closely fits the mold of the one he created at Real Salt Lake, and that suits Kaká down to the ground. Orlando's last three games have been a 0-0 draw, 1-0 loss, and 2-0 win, and, if they can finish off with a flourish on Sunday, there will be a small but definite amount of satisfaction in the group.

As for his own future, the Brazilian remains highly motivated, and especially energized at the thought of the Lions' neww, natural-grass stadium.

“Let’s think about next year and we will see after that what I can do,” he said. “Next year is so important for this club, with this stadium, so it’s important for the players and the supporters to feel that it is our home. I know they feel that here [at Camping World Stadium], but when the thing is yours, it is different to when you rent something.

“I am happy to be part of this and to be here one more year. And we will see if I can play for more than the one [more year].”

Kreis remains convinced there is still more to come from Kaká. He wants his star Designated Player on the field as much as possible, but he doesn’t necessarily see 2017 as his swan song.

“Ricky remains an extremely hungry player,” the head coach said. “I’ve spoken to him and I know that for a fact, and that he would never want to finish his career by being part of a team that would miss the playoffs. That would be a big objective of his, as it will for every member of the group next year … We need to begin to represent ourselves and give the fans what they deserve here.”

More games: friv

Kaká works out for Kreis, will be available against Columbus on Saturday

After missing Orlando City SC's last three games with a calf injury, one of a series of knocks he has endured this season, Kaká is expected to return for the Lions' match against Columbus on Saturday (7:30 pm, MLS LIVE).

"He'll be available, yeah," interim head coach Bobby Murphy told the Orlando Sentinel for a story published in Friday's editions. 

Saturday's match against Crew SC will be Murphy's last at the helm before new coach Jason Kreis takes over, following a break for the 2016 AT&T MLS All-Star Game. Kreis attended training for the first time on Thursday, and he and Orlando City president Phil Rawlins watched as Kaká -- who looked fit during the session -- stayed on for extra work afterward.

The Brazilian star and Orlando City captain has missed 10 games with injuries this season, causing some fans to question whether he was giving the club enough return on his salary, and also was released from Brazil's Copa America Centenario roster because of a hamstring strain.  

So far this season, Kaká has three goals and five assists in nine starts for the Lions.

Kaká unlikely to play when Orlando City faces San Jose Earthquakes

Kaká likely will not be on the field when Orlando City hosts the San Jose Earthquakes at 7:30 Saturday night.

The team captain, who teammates call Ricky, suffered a thigh injury while away with the Brazilian national team during the Copa America. He began recovery in Brazil before returning to Orlando this week. 

When asked if Kaká would be available when the Lions return to MLS play after a 20-day break, Orlando City coach Adrian Heath said, "I think Ricky's struggling this weekend. Darwin [Cerén] was the one we were hopeful for. He’s out this morning and he’s running around, he’s OK. We’ll see if we get any reaction out of him."

Cerén, one of the Lions best midfielders, has been out for weeks with a high-ankle sprain. Right back Rafael Ramos also has missed time with a hamstring injury. 

"They’ve gradually upped their workload over last week to 10 days," Heath said. "Barring any overnight problems, they may be available, which will be a big boost for us."

Orlando City forward Cyle Larin, who recently returned from international duty with Canada, said losing Kaká is a blow but he thinks the rest of the team is capable of getting a win Saturday.

"Kaká changes the game a lot when he's out there, and he helps me a lot," Larin said. "But I think the players we have will do the same thing they do every other game: work hard, score goals and defend."

Kaka, Neymar not included in Brazil's squad for Copa America

Dunga, Brazil's national team coach, announced Thursday the final list of 23 players that will play in the 2016 Centennial Copa America in the United States from June 3 to 23.

The final 23 came from a shortlist of 40 names released last week, which does not include veteran Kaka, who currently plays in the United States, and gives preference to players who are younger than 23 years old.

This has been seen as a preparation tactic for the upcoming Olympic Games 2016 which will take place in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, throughout August where Brazil will be looking to win the gold medal in soccer.

Even though new players have been incorporated into the team, Dunga has kept his main players from recent teamsheets.

However, soccer star Neymar will not participate in the competition to be held in the U.S. as he can only participate in one international tournament per year in line with Barcelona's conditions, and the national coach has decided to use Neymar in the Olympics instead.

In the 2016 Centennial Copa America, Brazil has been placed in Group B along with Ecuador, Haiti and Peru. The South American side's first match of the international tournament will be on June 8 against Haiti.

Kaka aims to earn a spot on Brazil 2018 qualifying team

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."

Orlando star Kaka not on trip for LCFC friendly

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."

Brazil's Kaka Shakes Hands With Bionic Boy

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.