ORLANDO, Fla. (November 4, 2017) – Orlando City SC and the Puerto Rico National Team entertained 8,231 fans Saturday night in the Fuerza Puerto Rico Friendly presented by Audi to raise funds for the United for Puerto Rico initiative for hurricane relief on the island. City also bid farewell to captain Kaká, who played his final match as a Lion.
“I’m obviously pleased with the overall performance. The game was fun. I enjoyed it,” Lions head coach Jason Kreis said. “I think all of the three benefits that we received from the match were very important. The benefit to Puerto Rico and the fact that we could contribute in some small fashion is hugely important to all of the players and coaches. And then to be a part of [Kaká’s] last match in the stadium was really important to me and something I’ll remember forever. To honor the fallen supporter was really important as well because we in this Club believe that our fans are not just fans, we believe they’re part of our family.”
All proceeds of the match - including ticket, concession and merchandise sales, as well as those raised in the Orlando City game-worn jersey auction - will go towards the United for Puerto Rico fund to aid relief efforts from the impacts of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The Club will calculate total funds raised and announce it next week. Fans can also bid on Orlando City and Puerto Rico game-worn jerseys with special edition Fuerza Puerto Rico Friendly patches at OrlandoCitySC.com/bid until Monday, Nov. 6, at 11:59 p.m. ET.
In his final match as a Lion, Kaká was honored during pregame, halftime and postgame with video tributes and was presented with a commemorative plaque before the friendly. The captain finishes as the Lions’ all-time leader in MLS assists (22) and second in goals (24).
“For me personally, to play this game was incredible because of the cause for Puerto Rico,” Kaka said. “I think everybody here enjoyed the game. It was fun. But it’s not just about the soccer game. It’s about people in a country that need our support right now. We tried to do our best tonight to help those people and this country that really needs us. I enjoyed the game, it was fun, we won, and a part of that is that was my last game here in this stadium with this team, this Club.”
Orlando City also honored the memory of Ruckus supporter Joseph Campo, who passed away in a car accident on Tuesday. At the same time the Ruckus started a moment of silence in the 69th minute, in recognition of Campo’s familiar purple “Deadpool” jersey number, Hadji Barry scored on a deflection off PC’s shot. Orlando City also recognized Campo with an in-stadium photo montage during pregame.
David Cabán scored Puerto Rico’s goal in the 19th minute, the first goal of the match. Dom Dwyer equalized for City in the 39th minute following a nice pass from Kaká. Dillon Powers slipped a through ball for Cyle Larin to put away in the 59th minute.
With 25 minutes remaining in the friendly, everyone rose to their feet to salute Kaká one final time, and the captain bid farewell to each of his teammates before subbing off for Tony Rocha.
Seb Hines tapped in Larin’s header off a corner to make it 4-1 in the 79th minute. Rocha scored in the 86th minute and Larin made it 6-1 following a nice dribble through the box from Rafael Ramos.
Scoring Summary:
PR - David Cabán 19’
ORL - Dom Dwyer (Kaká) 39’
ORL - Cyle Larin (Dillon Powers) 59’
ORL - Hadji Barry (PC) 69’
ORL - Seb Hines (Cyle Larin) 79’
ORL - Tony Rocha 86’
ORL - Cyle Larin (Rafael Ramos) 90+1’
Misconduct Summary:
None.
Lineups/Substitutions:
Orlando City SC - GK Earl Edwards, Jr., D Donny Toia (Pierre Da Silva), Jonathan Spector (Seb Hines 46’), Tommy Redding (Conor Donovan 75’), Kevin Alston (Rafael Ramos 46’), M PC, Antonio Nocerino (Servando Carrasco 46’), Will Johnson (Dillon Powers 46’), Richie Laryea (Hadji Barry 46’), F ⓒ Kaká (Tony Rocha 65’), Dom Dwyer (Cyle Larin 46’)
Substitutes Not Used: None
Puerto Rico - GK Matthew Sánchez, D Juan Coca, Javier Lalondriz, Marcos Martínez, David Cabán (Elliot Vélez 77’), M Jeremy Hall, Andrés Carbero (Daniel Arce 85’), Joseph Marrero (Jorge Rosa 55’), Jorge Rivera (Gerald Díaz 66’), F Héctor Ramos (José Rodríguez 90+2’), Micheal Ramos (Emanuel Sánchez 74’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Joel Serrano, D Víctor Pinto, Javier De La Rosa, M Alejandro Colón
Details of the Game:
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear
Date: Nov. 4, 2017
Attendance: 8,231
