There is a little bit of complaining going on among Orlando City fans. And the term fan is used instead of supporter.
The culture of soccer fandom and supporting is different. Those who watch soccer internationally and follow the sport know the reality of the situation.
International callups are a normal part of the soccer calendar. Every major team deals with them in some form or fashion. The structure of international soccer calls for players to be made available for international games.
It becomes more difficult for MLS since MLS runs its season opposite most international leagues. As the Champions League closed Saturday, most players are free to join their national teams. MLS does not have that luxury in the middle of the season.
And with Kaka’s surprise call up to the Brazil national team, Orlando City will be without its best player for at least three games, including Sunday’s game against New York City FC.
So something that is no big deal to soccer players has become something of a big deal to those not initiated in the sport. The “ugly Americans” have come out, including Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel:
Call me an ugly American, but I don't understand @Kaka missing real game for #OrlandoCitySC on Sunday to play practice game with Brazil.
— Mike Bianchi (@BianchiWrites) May 27, 2016
Of course these friendlies are important. They are like training camp for a season, especially ahead of a major tournament like Copa America, which Orlando is hosting for three games beginning this weekend. It is important for the players coming from all corners of the globe to come together and get some kind of rhythm.
And international play is still incredibly important to the game itself, even with its massive popularity. The international game is more important than club games, a culture that is the opposite in the United States.
MLS is not a strong enough league to dictate that players not play for their national teams. For MLS to become competitive it needs players who are going to be considered for the national squads. Seeing a player like Kaka — $7 million salary and all — leave the team and play for Brazil is good for the league. It raises its profile and shows the quality in the league. Especially if MLS players play well.
“I think it’s very good for the league,” Kaká told Simon Veness of MLSSoccer.net. “It shows there are players playing at a high level and anyone watching MLS can see that the league is competitive and players here can still play for a big national team like Brazil.
“It’s also good to have an Orlando City player representing their national team in Copa America this year when the tournament is being played here. It’s a very positive thing.”
It does leave Orlando City, already struggling with plenty of inconsistency, in a bit of a lurch. The Lions will be playing with patchwork lineups like the one they will send out Sunday for the next three games.
Your Starting XI today against New York City FC. Kickoff at 4:30 pm ET on @espn. pic.twitter.com/rvOW3jXt95
— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) May 29, 2016
Still, international call ups are a reality of MLS. A known and accepted reality. It is not a negative not to have Kaka on the pitch.
Well, it is in the sense Kaka is not on the pitch and the team is without its best player for three games — not to mention the possibility of injury while not playing for his club team. But that is not a concern overall.
“I heard last night and it was obviously a bitter-sweet moment,”coach Adrian Heath told Simon Veness of MLSSoccer.net. “Obviously we can ill afford to be without more players, especially somebody who has been as instrumental and prominent as Kaká has been lately. But on the other side, we are delighted for him. We know how much it means for him and he’s really happy to have the call-up.
“He is still a huge star in Brazil and I was a little bit surprised when he got left out of the 23, but it is really pleasing for him to think he’s replacing Douglas Costa, who’s probably one of the best players in the world at the moment. He’s certainly earned his call-up and I have no doubt that if they turn to him, he will deliver on the field.”
American fans who are trying to transpose norms from the other sports leagues onto MLS certainly are experiencing the culture shock of soccer. The debate sometimes does devolve into “you just do not get it” and has the act of alienating new fans.
This is one of those sports culture things though that is not likely to change. Nor is it something MLS is strong enough to dictate on anyone. It still needs the notoriety that comes from its players being in these marquee games.
For the teams that play with these players, it is unfortunate and something they need to solve. Team depth is still a continuing and evolving problem throughout the MLS. That is normal for a growing league. So is complaining that its best players are pulled away for international duty.
Orlando City will undoubtedly miss Kaka during the next month while he is on national duty. But like everyone else, no one should complain about it and should be ready to move forward and make the most of the time coming.
UCF No. 90 in Orlando Sentinel rankings
UCF has picked up some interesting momentum this offseason in hiring new coach Scott Frost and promising to bring the Oregon offense east to Orlando.
This was a team that went winless in 2015, after all.
But the Knights are going to be better. It is almost impossible for them not to be. And as the days tick closer to the beginning of the season, it is clear others believe UCF will be better, but that the growth will not come immediately.
The Orlando Sentinel is counting down the teams in the NCAA and have reached UCF at No. 90.
Shannon Owens writes the Knights will certainly be better, but the defense remains ahead of the offense at this point and the quarterback fit with Justin Holman may not be a perfect one for 2016.
The future though is still very bright for UCF.
Magic rise 10 spots in Future Power Rankings
The Orlando Magic have been selling the future for the past four years. Moreso now, they will be selling the future to free agents as they look to take the leap from growing young team to Playoff team in the next year.
At some point the scales will tip and the team will begin taking its step forward. Or major changes will be forced upon it.
Rob Hennigan has promised the Magic will be active in free agency, but will not be reckless, keeping something of a long-term view. Everything the Magic are building in the next few years will rely on how they handle the cap space they have created.
It, and not the young players waiting for further development, is the big reason why the Magic have climbed 10 spots in ESPN.com’s Future Power Rankings.
Cap space is the primary reason behind the move upward. We’re projecting the Magic to have the third-best cap position in the league for the next three years. Orlando has always been a popular destination for free agents because of the weather and lack of state income tax.
And with a number of interesting young players in the fold — led by Victor Oladipo, Aaron Gordon, Elfrid Payton and Mario Hezonja — the Magic have enough talent to perhaps lure a young star or two over the next few years.
The Magic’s future does seem brighter. Orlando took a step forward last year with 10 more wins than the year before. The cap room gives the opportunity to add some pieces and improve the roster.
It still seems like the Magic will have some work to do to take another step forward.
