Kaka Signs with MLS Orlando City, Leaving AC Milan: The Brazilian Soccer Star Is Coming to America
Since this year's World Cup began, many people in the United States have been debating whether soccer, or football as it's more commonly called, will begin to take off in the United States.
Conservative political pundit Ann Coulter recently wrote an article reminding Americans how the country's lack of interest or knowledge of the most popular sport in the world was a hallmark of American identity and exceptionalism. That might be ending, however, as America may finally be opening up to the economic and cultural pressures of professional soccer competition.
To top it all off, it was recently revealed that soccer superstar Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, commonly known as Kaka, ended his contract with AC Milan through mutual termination in order to join the Orlando City squad in the American league MLS. "I've always said I wanted to play in the USA and now I have reached an agreement to play there," Kaka says. For those who predicted the rise of soccer in the United States, this is a major step in the right direction as what the club soccer landscape in America needs to draw viewers is star power, which the attacking midfielder from Brazil provides.
Earlier today, Kaka tweeted: "Leaving the place you call home is always a tough decision."
So far it is unclear what else has motivated Kaka to come to U.S. other than his expressed desire to play here. We do know that the Orlando City owner Flavio Augusto da Silva is Brazilian, which may have played a role in bringing Kaka to a burgeoning MLS where he is sure to be one of the earliest superstars and franchise players.
Fans of soccer in the United States can only hope that the arrival of Kaka, who has more than 10 million social media followers worldwide, will begin an arms race that sees more talented players crossing oceans to help grow MLS.
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