Goal sweetens Kaká’s return; Rivas scores
Orlando City waited eight weeks for two big milestones the Lions finally celebrated Saturday afternoon.
Kaká returned and Carlos Rivas scored.
The crowd rose in a standing ovation when Orlando City’s No. 10 walked toward the sideline. Kaká, who left the season opener with a hamstring injury, subbed on in the 60th minute at the same time as Rivas.
The duo immediately injected energy into the game and the stands, breaking open a scoreless competition with a goal apiece during a 2-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids (1-5-1, 4 points), keeping Orlando City (6-1-0, 18 points) perfect at home.
“I cannot put in words what I’m feeling, the emotions to be back to be playing, to score and win another game at home,” Kaká said. “When I came on the field and all of the supporters clapped for me and were saying my name, it was unbelievable.
“Today, I showed that I’m ready to join the team again and be part of this amazing group.”
Ten minutes after coach Jason Kreis made the substitutions, Rivas struck the ball with a force that sent it barreling into the top right corner of the net too quickly for Colorado goalkeeper Zac MacMath to stop.
Then, in the 90th minute, leading scorer Cyle Larin worked the ball into the box, crossing it just before falling backward in the shadow of two defenders.
Kaká was in place to tap in the goal, adding a flourish to his return in front of an announced crowd of 25,527.
Rivas looked dangerous playing alongside Larin. Rivas made highlight reels with fancy footwork and technical skills that allowed him to maneuver past defenders.
Goals, however, eluded him. His strikes soared high, wide and pinged off the goal posts. He was benched in favor of Giles Barnes for the Rapids game.
Rivas never doubted he would break through eventually, however, telling everyone who asked, “goals will come.”
Saturday, one finally did.
“I’ve been trying to get this goal for many games now, and when the opportunity finally came, I thought it was just beautiful,” Rivas said through a translator. “I saw the perfect chance to take the goals that I like to take with that strike, and everything happened the way it was supposed to.”
Prior to the goals, the scoreless teams looked tired in the 90-degree heat.
At times, Orlando City was out of position, the team’s shape looking a bit “loose,” as Kreis said, and the back four dropped too deep, leaving space for Rapids forwards Kevin Doyle and Alan Gordon to work up plays.
Colorado took three shots compared to Orlando City’s 14, and goalkeeper Joe Bendik saved the only Rapids shot on target. The Lions also controlled more than 55 percent of possession.
Barnes and Matias Pérez García, who started at the top of the diamond midfield before he was replaced by Kaká, both contributed heavily.
Barnes looked especially dangerous in the opening minutes of the game, sending crosses to Antonio Nocerino and Larin for shots on goal.
“Full credit to Giles and Mati because they both worked extremely hard to get us to where we could make those substitutions,” Kreis said. “It was a very difficult game. By [Kaká and Rivas] coming on the field ... not only are we adding two incredibly talented, special players, but two fresh players as well. Pleased that Ricky [Kaká] gets to come back after working so incredibly hard to get himself fit again, and make such a statement.
“We’ve still got room for improvement ... but we’re after perfect and we probably know we won’t get there, but that isn’t going to stop us from trying.”