Orlando City will kick off MLS season without Kaka

Orlando City SC's inaugural season in Major League Soccer started with a bang last year, as Kaka tallied a 91st-minute equalizer to record the club's first-ever point in the league.

There will be no such start to Orlando City's second season on Sunday, as will miss the club's opener at home to Real Salt Lake due to a thigh strain and is also questionable for his team's next fixture, which goes March 11 at home to the Chicago Fire.

"This is certainly a disappointment for the squad, especially given Ricky's outstanding performance during preseason," Adrian Heath, Orlando City's manager, stated. "That said, it seems like something from which he can recover soon. The team has trained hard all season and we are confident they will turn in a great performance with the support of a full house at the Citrus Bowl."

Kaka, 33, tallied nine goals and seven assists through 28 appearances last season and was called up to Brazil's national team Thursday for the Selecao's 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Uruguay and Paraguay on March 25 and March 29, respectively.