Orlando City captain Kaka returns to Brazil's national team
Orlando City captain Kaka earned a return call-up to the Brazilian national team as manager Dunga announced his 23-man roster Thursday for a friendly match against Costa Rica at Red Bull Arena on Sept. 5.
Kaka, 33, is Orlando City's first Designated Player signing and comes back to the national team after a strong first half of the 2015 Major League Soccer season. Kaka has scored nine league goals and recorded four assists so far.
Dunga on why Kaká not Coutinho: "We gave him a chance in Copa América. You can't build with just youngsters, you need experience to help."
— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStats) August 13, 2015
Kaka will miss Orlando's next league match against the New England Revolution on Sunday because of the call-up.
Kaka was involved in the Brazilian national team as a regular and as its captain throughout the last two decades, but as injuries and age took their toll, he was dropped from the team in 2013. He was named to Brazil's preliminary 30-man team for the 2015 Copa America, but failed to make the final cut.
He's the first full MLS player to receive a call-up to the Brazilian national team, but not the first Brazilian international to ply his trade in the league. Last season, goalkeeper Julio Cesar spent some time with Toronto FC before leaving for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in his home country.
The Philadelphia Union also once employed Brazilian international Kleberson, but Union fans may not look back on that too fondly.
Dunga's latest roster features plenty of familiar faces, including Barcelona superstar Neymar, Chelsea midfielder Oscar, and Paris Saint-Germain defender David Luiz. The returning Brazilian manager also granted call-ups to Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino, Bayern Munich winger Douglas Costa, and Arsenal defender Gabriel.
Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho and PSG defender Thiago Silva were left off as Dunga continues experimenting with his side.