ORLANDO, Fla. – Kaká is looking forward to renewing his on-field acquaintance with Sebastian Giovinco when he leads Orlando City SC in their big home showdown with Toronto FC at the Citrus Bowl on Sunday (7 pm ET, Fox Sports 1 in the US, TSN2 in Canada).
The Lions skipper has first-hand knowledge of just how destructive the “Atomic Ant” can be, having played against the Italian international when he was with both Parma and Juventus in Serie A. Their most notable encounter came when the diminutive midfielder scored a cracker in a 3-2 Juventus win over Kaká’s AC Milan in October 2013.
So it’s no surprise Orlando’s Brazilian star is relishing a clash that has major early season significance for both teams, and which highlights a genuinely star-studded occasion.
“There are players who can do special things with the ball and Giovinco is definitely one of those players,” Kaká said. “I played against him in Italy, so I know he is a very good player. He can impact the game in very dangerous ways.
“It looks like he is really enjoying this league and, for us, it can be difficult to play against a player like him.”
Toronto’s US international Michael Bradley has had a front-row seat for Giovinco’s first five games in MLS. And, though the Italian leads TFC with three goals, the Reds’ captain insists they have still to see the best of their offseason import.
“Sebastian is very talented, there is no question about it,” Bradley observed. “You see right away what a special player he is. He finds space in the attack and puts defenders on the wrong foot.
“But he is still getting used to us and the league and, as we understand better how he moves and how he wants the ball, we will continue to see better things from him.”
Kaká and Bradley were speaking at a special press conference ahead of the game that features five marquee names, with Italian ace Giovinco and Bradley’s fellow US national teammates, OCSC's Brek Shea and TFC's Jozy Altidore.
In fact, the buildup has had something of an all-star feel to it, albeit with both teams desperate for a win, City to chalk up a first victory in four attempts in front of their own fans and Toronto to end a four-game losing skid.
“This is definitely some pressure on us,” Kaká admitted. “But it is also a big motivation. We are also coming from a tough loss last week, so we know this is an important game for us. It will be a very good game against these guys.”
Kaká and Shea sat on the press conference podium alongside Bradley and Altidore, with both duos anxious to give nothing away, but it is clear there is a healthy measure of respect between the teams.
“We have heard nothing but good things about this club and the fan support they have,” Altidore said. “We are happy they have come into the league and that they have put a good product on the field. It’s good for the league and the fans.”
The mutual admiration society will, of course, be suspended at on Sunday when the game kicks off.
The probable insertion of US U-20 defender Tyler Turner for the suspended Rafael Ramos will likely be the only change from the Lions lineup that lost 3-0 in Columbus last week after playing most of the game with 10 men, with coach Adrian Heath reverting to his favored 4-2-3-1 formation in front of his own fans.
However, winger Carlos Rivas could see more action off the bench this week after showing increasing signs of being a threat in cameo appearances in the last three games.
