The Dynamo host Orlando City SC and Brazilian Kaká in MLS action.
Most soccer fans know how great Kaká is, but it took a move to Italy and then Spain for the Brazilian to make a name for himself on the world stage.
Dynamo midfielder Alex, on the other hand, knew who Kaká was before he left Brazil.
Then just 13 years old, Alex saw Kaká debut with Sao Paulo in 2001 and was sure he was destined for great things.
“When he debuted with Sao Paulo, you knew he would go to Europe and make history,” Alex said this week through a translator. “I always remember him as an example for me. He is a player that I always looked up to.”
Alex will get his first chance to face Kaká on the field Saturday night when the Dynamo host Orlando City SC at BBVA Compass Stadium.
Kaká, 35, did what Alex expected him to once he transferred to AC Milan in 2003 — one year after helping Brazil win the FIFA World Cup — and later to Real Madrid.
He has won a litany of major awards, including the 2007 Ballon d’Or from FIFA.
Though that was a decade ago, Kaká is playing at a high level. In 55 appearances over two-plus seasons with Orlando City, he has 20 goals and 17 assists.
Recovering from injury
The central attacking midfielder injured his left hamstring in the eighth minute of the season opener and missed five games. He has scored two goals in 95 minutes over two games since returning. One came in Wednesday’s 2-1 loss at Toronto FC.
“He is a talented player. He thinks better every day,” said Dynamo coach Wilmer Cabrera, who played in a Copa America game for
Colombia while Kaká sat on Brazil’s bench. “When you’re with that quality and you have that kind of experience on the field, he is ahead of everyone else.
“He’s coming from an injury, but he’s ready to play. He is going to be dangerous.”
Kaká is one in a long line of dangerous Designated Players to put in their last productive years in MLS. David Beckham, Thierry Henry, David Villa and Andrea Pirlo are among the big names in that category.
Dynamo defender A.J. DeLaGarza played with Beckham on the Los Angeles Galaxy, so he saw the impact of those types of players.
Without players like that, DeLaGarza said, MLS would not be where it is.
“Now you see teams going away from the older bigname players,” DeLaGarza said. “Look at Atlanta. They are a successful team as a new franchise because they brought in a lot of young talent from around the world. You see guys we have (in Houston), too. You’re starting to see a change.
“Without the David Beckhams and Kaká and Henry and all those guys, maybe these other guys would not be here. They’re world-class talent and great for the brand.”
Intimidation factor
Kaká and players like him have an aura that can intimidate opponents. In some cases, they’ve won one-on-one battles before they happen. Alex said it will be important not to let that happen Saturday when he faces his childhood hero on the field for the first time.
“Outside the field, I respect him, but inside I have to do my best and not respect anyone,” Alex said. “I have to focus on my game and not think about any other player.”