Orlando City back Kaka's Brazil duties

Hampered by a thigh strain that forced him to miss Orlando City FC's thrilling 2-2 draw with Real Salt Lake, the MLS club has backed its midfield maestro Kaka in his pursuit of international glory.

Because of the injury, Kaka was recently replaced in Brazil's 23-man squad by Liverpool attacker Roberto Firmino for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Paraguay.

Related: Roberto Firmino replaces Kaka in Brazil's squad for World Cup qualifiers in March

Orlando's manager, Adrian Heath, spoke with ESPN FC Tuesday, saying, "I know how much it means for him to play for Brazil."

When asked if there was part of him that wanted to see Kaka not called up to the Brazil squad for the Copa America Centenario in the summer, Heath was honest in his reply.

"And as much as he wants to play for his country, obviously from a selfish point of view, I just want him to play for us."

Kaka, 33, has been capped 91 times for Brazil, scoring 29 goals for the side. The Sao Paolo academy product was part of sides that won the 2002 World Cup and the Confederations Cup in 2005 and 2009.