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.