Report: Kreis warns Kaka's injury could be 'pretty serious'
Orlando City may have been dealt a severe blow just one match into the 2017 season, after star attacker and captain Kaka exited the debut tilt early with an apparent hamstring injury, which Lions head coach Jason Kreis reportedly says could be "pretty serious."
Jason Kreis on Kaká: "looks like this could be a pretty serious injury."
— Alicia Rose DelGallo (@OSAliciaD) March 6, 2017
Kaka twisted awkwardly as he attempted a run into the New York City FC area just eight minutes into the match and immediately gestured to the sidelines, plying on for a couple more minutes before being replaced by Giles Barnes.
The initial diagnosis was of a left hamstring injury, with Kaka walking off without the need of a stretcher. Still, Kreis was disappointed with the outcome.
"On another night I think I would've been a lot more phased but I think I was just ready to move on, make a decision and get somebody else on the field," Kreis said after the match, as quoted in a club-issued release.
Kreis added, "(Kaka's) worked extremely hard in the offseason and hard in the preseason. Really disappointed for him. This could've been a huge night for him. I think everyone could see the energy he was already putting into the game in those 11 minutes. I thought this was going to be a special night for him.
Kreis added that the team will find out the extent of Kaka's injury on Monday.
The Brazilian has suffered a number of injury setbacks in his two years with the club and while his team did eventually pull away with a 1-0 win, Kaka's injury may leave a dark stain in a day of celebrations. Orlando City fans packed their new home stadium for the first time, with an attendance of around 25,500.