ORLANDO, Fla. – Kaká didn’t mince his words as he looked ahead to Orlando City’s big showdown at home to Montreal this Saturday: This is a very important match.
“This moment will determine the rest of the season,” the Lions' captain insisted, and it was clear he expects the rest of the team to take heed.
Orlando City are mired in a six-game winless streak and were outplayed in last weekend’s 2-1 defeat at Sporting Kansas City, but they are back in their own Camping World Stadium, and, with three home games in their next four, could be in for a make-or-break stretch.
And their star Designated Player ensured no one should be in any doubt of the importance of the visit of the early season pace-setters from Canada (7:30 pm ET; MLS LIVE, TSN5, RDS).
“This is a tough period for us. We know it is a hard moment,” Kaká insisted. “But this moment will determine the rest of the season. If we can come out of this situation stronger, probably we will make the playoffs.
“When we are confident on the field, everything just comes easy, so this is something we have to rebuild. It is not easy but I believe in these guys.”
Kaká singled out Brek Shea and Cyle Larin as the two players who can most help Orlando break out of their slump. Both men have been below their best in recent weeks, with Larin not scoring in three games and only once in his last six. But the captain was adamant.
“Brek is a very good player,” he insisted. “He has played in the national team [in the past] and he can play again for them in future.
“And I just have no words for Cyle. What he has done so far in this league is amazing. He is still a young player and it is normal in a career that you have bad moments. You go through bad phases. But now they have to be strong to rebuild that confidence, and everything we can do to help, we will do.”
With Montreal’s big-name striker Didier Drogbaall but certain not to travel to Central Florida, Kaká is pleased for his team’s chances, but disappointed for the neutral fans.
“For the big picture, for the league, it would be good to have him here and playing against us,” Kaká added. “But for sure, for us as a team it is better if he isn’t.”
While the Impact will be without Drogba, Orlando have injury problems of their own, with midfielder Darwin Ceren ruled out for at least four weeks with a high ankle sprain from the Kansas City defeat.
Head coach Adrian Heath must now decide whether to draft in Servando Carrasco alongside Cristian Higuita and Antonio Nocerino or to shake up his defensive midfield by drafting in his son Harrison or give Adrian Winter a new central role.
