Head Coach Caleb Porter is confident Portland Timbers can stifle Orlando City SC play-maker Kaká in their Major League Soccer match at Providence Park on Sunday.
The Brazil international – capped 89 times – has quickly become a key player with MLS newcomers Orlando and has already scored twice in five appearances.
His form in the early part of the season has made him an obvious player to pinpoint for opposition coach’s and Portland’s Porter is well aware of how damaging Kaká can be to his side.
“He goes where he wants to, where he needs to, to impact the game,” he said following Friday’s training session, as reported by website mlssoccer. “So we need to make sure we’re aware of his movement and aware of his positioning at all times because when he does get on the ball he’s special.”
Given Kaká’s ability to be a difference-maker, Porter has conceded that he is putting plans in place to stifle the 32 year-old and is confident that they will work, if implemented correctly.
“If we’re organised, no matter where he floats he’s going to have a player around him,” he added. “We’re not going to adapt our entire shape to try to stop him, but we have to be organised.”
Both Portland and Orlando come into the tie on the back of mixed starts to the season. The latter have secured just five points from their first five outings, while Portland have managed a return of six. Orlando will however, take confidence from their away form, which seems them unbeaten after trips to Houston Dynamo and Montreal Impact.
