NEW YORK (Tuesday, April 5, 2016) – Orlando City SC midfielder Kaká was voted Major League Soccer Player of the Week by the North American Soccer Reporters (NASR) for the fifth week of the 2016 MLS season.
After missing the start of the season due to injury, Kaká rose to the occasion in his season debut, scoring a goal and dishing out two assists to power Orlando to a 4-1 victory over defending MLS Cup champion Portland Timbers. Kaká got the 30,000-plus fans at the Citrus Bowl on their feet early, notching his first assist in the 13th minute with a curling free-kick that defender Seb Hines headed past Portland goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey to give Orlando the advantage (Watch Assist).
The Ballon d'Or winner demonstrated his amazing ability again in the 32nd minute, this time connecting with defender Brek Shea on a give-and-go for his second assist of the match. Shea sent a pass to Kaká, who then flicked the ball into the box setting up Shea’s incredible left-footed strike to the far post (Watch Assist).
Minutes into the second half, the team captain put the game out of reach with his first goal of the season, recovering a loose ball at the top of the box and sending a low blast past a diving Kwarasey in the 48th minute (Watch Goal). Kaká subbed out in the 80th minute to thunderous applause, as his electric performance has Orlando atop the Eastern Conference standings with eight points (2-0-2, 8 points, East #1).
Orlando returns to action this Friday on the road against the Philadelphia Union at Talen Energy Stadium in a Viernes de Futbol nationally televised match (7 p.m. ET, UniMás).
The MLS Player of the Week is selected each week of the regular season by a panel of journalists from NASR. The group consists of members of print, television, radio and online media.
