On Sunday, Orlando City takes on the Portland Timbers for their first home match in nearly three weeks. With Kaká back from injury, Head Coach Adrian Heath will have almost all of his players healthy, allowing him to put up Orlando City’s best against the defending champions.
Kaká, who suffered a thigh injury the week before the home opener, is excited to get back on the pitch with his teammates. He insists that there will be no need to ease him back into the tempo of play. “I’m ready to play,” Kaká said. “I’m ready to play 90 minutes.”
Kaká’s teammates are also excited to have him back on the pitch. “He looks good,” Brek Shea said after Wednesday’s training. “Obviously good to have him back. It’s never good when you lose a player of his stature to injury.”
David Mateos, who has been missing since the start of the season with a hamstring injury, will also be available in Sunday’s match. With Mateos and Kaká healthy again, the Orlando City roster is almost untouched by injuries. Coach Heath will have all of his tools available to create the lineup he wants against the Timbers, and hopefully a healthy roster will help the team get their first home win of the season. “It’s a great opportunity,” Kaká said.
Sunday’s match will also mark the first time that Kaká and Nocerino will be seen on the pitch together. “It’s gonna be awesome to play with him again,” Kaká said. With the two of them side-by-side, they’re sure to make an attacking threat in the midfield.
“I’m ready to go now,” Kaká said. “It was a tough period, but I’m ready.”
