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Kaka talks, compares MLS in interview ahead of weekend’s match

By on May 22, 2015

For Kaka, one major difference between Major League Soccer and Brazil’s first division is the “style” of play.  “It’s more physical (in MLS),” he told Football Every Day and other reporters.  The technical level is a little lower, but physically it’s one of the best — the running and physical training, especially.”

He’ll see both sides of the style coin against a versatile San Jose Earthquakes side this Sunday, facing powerful centerbacks in Victor Bernandez and Clarende Goodson, as well as nimble, technical players such as Matias Perez-Garcia and Shea Salinas. 

However, Kaka said he has readily adapted to the other aspects of Major League Soccer despite his recent introduction to the league.  We reached the player in the midst of his 6,000 mile round trip between Orlando and San Francisco (think Dublin to Boston), but said he has no trouble with the weekly MLS travels. “It’s not a problem,” the former Ballon D’Or winner said. “I think today is the worst day, having just arrived, but tomorrow will probably be better so we can be ready for the game.  I’m getting used to traveling overseas a lot, so it’s not a problem.”

Neither has he noticed that anybody is singling him out tactically and doesn’t expect any difference against the Quakes. In fact, he looks at it from the angle that if he is marked out of a particular match, then one of his teammates should find ample opportunities.  “I’ve never had any defender or marker who was unfair, so it’s normal.  But if they try to mark me, then one of our other players will probably be open, so that is what we are trying to [optimize].”

Often times this season, that open teammate has been 20-year-old forward Cyle Larin, who has scored four goals from eleven matches so far this season.  The Earthquakes’ defense had been rock-solid this season, as Dominic Kinnear has adopted a safety-first, counter-attacking style of play; neverthelss, the club could have trouble containing an Orlando front line that put four goals past reigning MLS champions LA Galaxy last weekend. Kaka too sung high praise of Larin, the MLS’ SuperDraft’s first overall pick during the offseason.  “He (Larin) is growing so fast, and he’s got quality and works hard,” Kaka said.  “I see a lot of qualities in Cyle and he will definitely help in this next game.”

During the win over L.A., Kaka paid tribute to injured Orlando midfielder Kevin Molino.  Kaka said, “I tried to score because I wanted to do that for Kevin.  I think he deserves a celebration like that.  He needs to be strong and for sure we’ll help him in this moment because he’ll help us a lot next season.”

The bottom-line regarding the L.A. game was that it was a major confidence booster for Orlando. “That game was amazing for us,” Kaka said. “They (The Galaxy) just won the league, so that games brings a lot of confidence for us coming into the next game.  Against San Jose it will be a tough game as well because they are playing at home and playing so well.  [Now], we know what we can do and how we can play, so that Galaxy game will probably be our motto for the next few games.”

Of the Quakes’ defense, Kaka said that Orlando will review video tape of the Quakes’ last game on Saturday, but knows that playing a team fourth in the Western Conference won’t be a walk in the park.  

Overall, he is enjoying MLS and his first impression has been “very good.” “So far, I’m so happy with the decision that I made (to joint MLS),” he said.

He hopes that others will follow his lead in joining MLS as well.  He told Football Every Day: “I think in the next few years we are going to have a lot of stars playing in America, and I hope they can choose to play at Orlando.  It’s not just about playing in America, it’s about joining an amazing project.”

For more insights into the Earthquakes and their upcoming match against Orlando, I caught up yesterday with Quakes beat reporter Colin Etnire to preview the weekend as well as to review the Quakes’ 2-0 win over Columbus Crew last weekend on The Aftershock podcast, here.

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.