ORLANDO, Fla. (May 27, 2016) – Orlando City SC captain Kaká has been called up to the Brazilian National Team for the 2016 Copa America Centenario, the Club announced today.
City’s midfielder, who receives his first-career Copa America call-up, will immediately join Dunga’s side in Los Angeles, Calif., in compliance with FIFA regulations after being included in the 40-man roster on April 29. The Seleçao prepares for their last friendly against Panama on Sunday, May 29, at 9:30 p.m. E.T. at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo., before beginning the quest for their ninth Copa America championship.
After facing Ecuador on June 4 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., Brazil will visit the City Beautiful on June 8 to face Haiti at Camping World Stadium. The Canarinho will finish the group stage against Peru on June 12 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. Tickets to all Copa America Centenario fixtures are available at www.CA2016.com/tickets.
Kaká replaces injured Bayern Munich winger Douglas Costa in the 23-man roster after a dominant start of the 2016 Major League Soccer (MLS) campaign, registering two goals and a team-high five assists in seven games.
The 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year has earned 117 caps for the Brazilian national team, scoring 29 goals in 6,255 minutes played, and has featured in three FIFA World Cups, including the 2002 championship squad, as well as the 2005 and the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup championship teams. City’s playmaker was most recently called up for the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Uruguay and Paraguay on March 25 and 29, respectively.
Following Sunday’s matchup against New York City FC at Yankee Stadium, Orlando City will go into a three-week Copa America Centenario break, returning to league play on Saturday, June 18, to host the San Jose Earthquakes at 7:30 p.m. E.T.
Follow the latest Orlando City news and updates via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
