An eventful week at Orlando City Soccer Club ended Saturday night with the Fuerza Puerto Rico Friendly. City hosted the Puerto Rico National Team in an effort to raise funds and awareness for hurricane disaster relief -- the friendly was played in front of 8,231 fans at Orlando City Stadium.
Lions Prevail In Entertaining Fuerza Puerto Rico Friendly
Los Boricuas of Puerto Rico came out with tons of energy in the first half and scored the first goal of the match in the 19th minute through David Cabán’s low strike. Orlando City equalized in the 39th, with Dom Dwyer getting on the end of a pinpoint cross from Kaká and rifling a shot past the Puerto Rican keeper into the bottom corner.
Free-subbing allowed both coaches to make wholesale changes for the second 45 -- which City head coach Jason Kreis saw as a chance to give as many players as possible one last chance to play alongside Kaká.
Cyle Larin (2), Hadji Barry, Seb Hines and Tony Rocha all netted for the Lions in the second half. Final score: Orlando City - 6 Puerto Rico - 1.
Read: A Special Night for a Special Cause
Watch: Highlights | Fuerza Puerto Rico Friendly
Forever a Lion
Lions captain and club legend Kaká made his last appearance as a player for Orlando City; as the Brazilian is ready to move on to the next chapter in his life. Kaká spent three memorable years in Orlando -- he was signed in 2014 as the club’s first ever Designated Player.
Kaká was honored during pregame, halftime and postgame with video tributes and was presented with a commemorative plaque before the friendly. The plaque, presented to Kaká by club CEO Alex Leitao, reads “Forever A Lion”.
Read: Take a Bow, Kaká
#BeJoe
Orlando City also honored Joseph Campo, the Ruckus supporter who tragically passed away in a car accident on Tuesday. Campo, known for his famous “Deadpool” number 69 jersey he wore on the Wall, was honored with a moment of silence in the 69th minute. As fate would have it, Orlando City scored a goal in the 69th.
https://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2017/10/13/numbers-take-bow-kak
