Kaka In For Brazil Friendlies Against Costa Rica, USMNT

In September Kaka will trade in his purple kit for the kit of the Selecao. After only narrowly missing out on a spot for Brazil’s national team for the Copa America the talisman for the Orlando City SC attack has found himself once again back in coach Dunga’s fold. On Thursday it was announced that Kaka has been called up for Brazil’s upcoming friendlies against Costa Rica and the United States.

Brazil will play Costa Rica on September the 5th at Red Bull Park in Harrison, New Jersey. They will then travel north three days later to Gillette Stadium in Foxbrough, Massachusetts to take on the USMNT.

His selection to the Brazilian national comes out a price for Orlando. With the Costa Rica game happening on September 5th it means that he will likely miss out on OCSC’s critical match against the New England Revolution. it should be noted September 5th-8th is a FIFA international window where clubs are obligated to release their players.

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Kaka, 33, has had a comeback year this season for OCSC. The Brazilian midfielder has made 22 appearances for the Purple Lions and currently leads the team with 9 goals. Although he was named to Brazil’s provisional roster for the Copa America his last appearance for Brazil came last October in a series of friendlies against Japan and Argentina.

This is an interesting time for Brazil. After having lost in the Quarter-final round of this year’s Copa America, there have been calls both within and outside of football to shake up the Brazilian football system. With World Cup Qualification set to start on October the 5th against Chile there is some concern as to whether or not Brazil will be able to qualify for Russia 2018.

With reform on the minds of many it may seem a bit odd to select Kaka considering his age. But with Orlando City SC Kaka has shown that he can work with younger players (such as OCSC forward Cyle Larin) and help them improve their game. Even though he may not be given many minutes during these friendlies, Kaka’s work with a Brazilian side lacking confidence on the practice field may be just enough to improve this team’s fortunes.

Of course there is also the incentive of working his way back into the Brazilian national team. At 33 Kaka may not have many years of international football ahead of him. But it is clear that he is still a useful player and can contribute at a higher level. The two upcoming friendlies should prove as a test if his Brazilian national team career can be revived again.

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