Orlando City’s Kaká Earns MLS All-Star Game MVP Honors

Orlando City’s marquee Designated Player has taken over as the face of the franchise in only half a season in Major League Soccer, but Kaká’s global appeal and multilingual abilities have also made him one of the faces of the league as a whole in that same span.

After being named captain of the MLS All-Star team last week, the Brazilian superstar took home MVP honors on Wednesday night at Dick's Sporting Goods Park thanks to a one-goal, one-assist performance against England's Tottenham Hotspur.

Kaká scored his goal on a penalty in the 20th minute, which came courtesy of a Nacer Chadli handball off a corner for the MLS All-Stars. The Captain stepped up to the penalty spot and calmly slotted home – as he has done on four occasions this season for Orlando – into the lower left-hand corner of goal past Tottenham keeper Michel Vorm for the 1-0 advantage.

Ricky wasn't finished though, as he wasted almost no time in orchestrating another goal for the MLS All-Stars just three minutes later.

LA Galaxy star Gyasi Zardes played a ball across the field to Seattle’s Clint Dempsey, who played a deft touch to his right to Kaká in the upper right-hand corner of the 18-yard box. Kaká ran onto the ball and swiftly delivered a pass in front of goal to New York City FC striker David Villa, who redirected the ball into the net to give the All-Stars a 2-0 advantage in minute 23 that they would not relinquish.

Kaká was taken off at the half, but his contributions in the first 45 minutes were enough to earn him the MVP distinction in what ended up being a 2-1 victory for MLS after Harry Kane beat MLS goalkeeper Nick Rimando from range towards the end of the opening period.

Following the match, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino lauded Kaká as the best player on the pitch on Wednesday night. Orlando’s skipper will return to action for his club this Saturday evening at the Citrus Bowl against Columbus Crew SC.