Orlando City Captain Kaká Injured While with Brazil, Will Not Play in 2016 Copa America

Orlando City captain Kaká is hurt. Yes, again.

The Brazilian maestro, who was one great Jaime Penedo save (check it out just past the 4:00 mark) away from scoring in Brazil's 2-0 friendly win over Panama on Monday night, could not train Tuesday or Wednesday due to what was called muscle fatigue. About an hour ago, the Brazilian federation announced that the former Ballon d'Or winner would not be able to continue.

So, how severe is the injury? Well, not very, based on the initial reports from Brazil, but it’ll keep him out of the group stage of the Copa America Centenario, and so they’re sending him home.

That time frame, if accurate, would put him in jeopardy of missing Orlando City’s next MLS game on June 18 at home against San Jose Earthquakes, although we’ll probably know more by next week. If things run long, Kaká could even miss the Toronto FC match on June 25.

As Orlando City fans, we’re always waiting for the other shoe to drop when injuries are concerned, but there is a chance he won’t miss any MLS matches, and he was probably never going to play in the club’s June 15 U.S. Open Cup match against Jacksonville Armada.

It's a tough blow for Kaká, who was set up for a unique experience of playing a Copa American Centenario match in front of his club's home fans in Orlando on June 8 against Haiti. That obviously won't happen now and it's not often that a player gets that opportunity. You have to feel for the guy, although this slight knock at least means he won't suffer something more serious in the tournament. #GlassHalfFull

Kaká will be replaced on Brazil's roster for Copa America by Paulo Henrique Ganso, a player Orlando City tried to pry out of Sao Paulo last summer.