Orlando City's Kaka to play in final MLS game (Oct 15, 2017)
While the match Sunday at Orlando City SC has more meaning in the standings for playoff-bound Columbus Crew SC, there is special significance for the Lions as well.
Midfielder Kaka will play his final MLS match at Orlando City Stadium on Sunday after announcing Wednesday he will not return to the club for the 2018 season. The 35-year-old Brazilian star has been with Orlando City (10-13-9, 39 points) since the team's first MLS season in 2015 and scored the Lions' first ever goal.
He has six goals and five assists in 22 matches as Orlando City nears the end of a disappointing season. The Lions are ninth in the Eastern Conference and will not qualify for the postseason.
Columbus (15-12-5) has a lot more at stake and is playing like it with a 5-0-3 record in the past eight matches to move up to fifth with 50 points. The Crew has clinched a playoff berth but is seeking home-field for the knockout round that goes to the third and fourth seeds in the conference (the top two teams get byes).
Atlanta is third with 53 points followed by Chicago's 52 with two matches remaining.
"They're the spoilers right now," Crew forward Justin Meram said of Orlando City. "They want to win on their home soil and destroy any team's momentum."
Orlando City midfielder Will Johnson on Friday was cleared to play following a five-game suspension while an alleged domestic dispute case was investigated. Prosecutors announced this week that charges will not be filed.
Columbus beat the Lions 2-0 on April 2 and tied 1-1 in Orlando on Aug. 19.
"I think we've done a pretty nice job of playing against them in both previous games," Orlando City coach Jason Kreis said. "For long stretches at their place we were quite good in that game. I think we clearly deserved the three points when we played them at home not too long ago. So, for me I think this is a game there could be a little extra motivation because we haven't beaten them this season."
Crew SC coach Gregg Berhalter views Orlando City as a threat.
"I expect a season finale type of game from them at home," he said. "I have a lot of respect for Jason. I know he's not going to give up. I know he's going to keep fighting to get results at the end of the season."
