Orlando City’s First DP, Kaká, announces his retirement

Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, known as Kaká, was an attacking midfielder that played with Real Madrid and A.C. Milan from 2003-14 and later became Orlando City SC’s first Designated Player (DP) as a club. On December 17, 2017, he announced his retirement.

Today marks the end of the career for former Ballon d’Or winner, Kaká. While he never went to the MLS playoffs, he still found great success in his three years. As a tribute to his success, let us take a look back at some of his highlights in the MLS.

2015 Season

Kaká had joined Orlando on a free transfer from Milan. Expectations were high, not only for Kaká, because this was Orlando’s first year in MLS. Kaká delivered in a big way for Orlando.

March 8

A deflected free kick in stoppage time cemented Kaká and Orlando forever. This was the first goal for both Kaká and Orlando in the MLS and it was an important one, as it was the equalizer. Kaká and the Orlando crowd were delirious.

Later in the season, Kaká with his team down 2-0 within the first 28 minutes against the Montreal Impact, would help guide them to a comeback.

March 28

Two goals in two minutes, both heavily influenced by the effort of Kaká. While he wasn’t the player that he was in his prime, he was still leaving a strong impact on the field every night.

Orlando would finish just five points outside of the playoffs in its inaugural season. Kaká, however, still finished with a strong debut season, having 15 goals and assists in 28 appearances.

2016 Season

Kaká started the season sidelined the first three games before coming back against the Portland Timbers in game four. You couldn’t have asked for a better game than this from him.

April 3

He finished with two assists, one was a beautiful 1-2 build up with Brek Shae that Shae finished off perfectly, and a goal that put Orlando up 3-0.

August 28 – September 7

Kaká, for most of the season, remained a bit quiet until late August. Until this point, he has to battle going in and out of the lineup due to injuries, but nothing was going to hold him down forever. August 28, Kaká kicked off his first of two two-goal games against NYCFC (New York City FC).

Leading Orlando to a victory against their biggest rival (NYCFC) is something that won’t be forgotten by many Orlando fans for a while.

In his next game, he would go right back and score another brace against the Impact in a 4-1 victory. For the moment it seemed the old Kaká had returned.

October 23

Entering the finale against D.C. United, Orlando was already eliminated. This didn’t stop Kaká and the squad from going out strong.

In the 13th minute, Kaká had a beautiful lifted pass to Ramos who pushed it in front of goal for Molino, who tapped it in. Eight minutes later, Kaká shows his ability once again, fooling a D.C. defender, getting past him, and putting the ball in the back of the net right in front of the keeper.

Kaká finished the year playing almost 500 minutes less but had more goals and assists (19).

2017 Season

The 2017 season had it’s ups and downs for Orlando. Orlando opened the season in their brand new stadium and the fans filled the seats every week. For Kaká, however, his season stopped before it could get started, getting injured 11 minutes into the first game of the year.

April 29 – May 17

He would come back after a five-game absence with Orlando on fire, winning six of their first seven. Kaká himself started hot off his return from injury, with 4 goals and assists in his first 5 games back from injury

July 29

After being shut out in their last game against Guzan, Kaká would get his revenge with this nasty distance goal to put Orlando up 1-0 against their southern rivals. Did he even mean to hit this one this well? Only he knows.

September 27

Orlando would win 6-1 in this route against the Revolution. This will end up being Kaká’s last two goals scored in his career, the last one being a tap-in after a great save.

Orlando, after their hot start, would miss the postseason for the third straight time. Kaká battled and played with injuries through most of the year and didn’t exactly look like himself most of the time, finishing with 11 goals and assists in 23 appearances (18 starts).

Next: NYCFC after Jesus Medina?

While he never was able to get Orlando to the playoffs, he was able to make history in many different ways for them that will stay with them forever. Cheers to a great career Kaká!