Report: Republic File Complaint over Alleged Orlando City SC Spy at Training Session
Sep 7, 2022
Orlando City's Facundo Torres (17) celebrates with Michael Halliday (26) after scoring a goal against Arsenal during the first half of a Florida Cup friendly soccer match Wednesday, July 20, 2022, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
USL Championship soccer club the Sacramento Republic FC have alleged that a staffer from MLS club Orlando City SC spied on their practice session Monday.
According to ESPN's Jeff Carlisle, a Republic equipment manager noticed the Orlando City staffer as someone who worked for Orlando manager Óscar Pareja, and he was asked to leave the premises multiple times but refused for between 30 and 45 minutes because he said he was there to meet a friend.
During the training session, which occurred at Central Winds Park in Winter Springs, Florida, members of the Republic staff reportedly moved two vans in front of the Orlando staffer in order to block his vision, but the staffer moved before ultimately leaving.
The alleged incident took place just days before Sacramento and Orlando were scheduled to meet in the final of the U.S. Open Cup tournament in Orlando on Wednesday.
A United States Soccer Federation spokesperson said the governing body is "looking into" the situation, and confirmed that a USSF film crew caught the incident on camera.
Meanwhile, Orlando City released a statement, noting that "the club has been made aware of the matter regarding Sacramento's training session and is cooperating with U.S. Soccer."
An Orlando City source told Carlisle that the staffer didn't report back to the club with any information on the practice and that there was "no coordinated effort" for the staffer to attend the practice.
It is unclear if the Orlando staffer could face any discipline since the USSF's Open Cup Open Division Handbook doesn't specifically state that what occurred was illegal, especially since the practice occurred at a public park when Sacramento declined to practice at Orlando's training facility in hopes of finding a more private location.
The handbook does give Sacramento the right to file a complaint, at which point it would be up to the USSF to determine a punishment for Orlando if any.
Not surprisingly, the U.S. Open Cup has largely been dominated by MLS clubs over the years since it is the top division of soccer in the United States.
MLS teams first entered the tournament in 1996, and an MLS team has won the tourney every year since 2000. The last non-MLS club to win the U.S. Open Cup was the Rochester Rhinos of the now-defunct A-League in 1999, as they defeated MLS club the Colorado Rapids in the final.
Sacramento has accomplished a great deal already, becoming the first non-MLS team to reach the finals of the U.S. Open Cup since the Charleston Battery in 2008.
While the Republic are considered a relative longshot to win the tournament, they shocked MLS clubs in the San Jose Earthquakes, LA Galaxy and Sporting Kansas City to reach the final.
Orlando City is looking to win its first U.S. Open Cup, but it is coming off the first two MLS playoff appearances in club history in each of the past two seasons, meaning the 2015 MLS expansion team has been building momentum.
Video: SpaceX's Inspiration4 Launches into Orbit Above Orlando City-Montreal Match
Sep 16, 2021
A SpaceX Falcon 9, with four private citizens onboard, lifts off from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39-A Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021, in Cape Canaveral , Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
On Wednesday night in central Florida, Jared Isaacman, Sian Proctor, Hayley Arceneaux and Christopher Sembroski blasted off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, onboard the Crew Dragon Resilience becoming the first space mission featuring only private citizens to orbit.
Soccer fans who went to see Orlando City take on Montreal in MLS play got a front-row seat to the historic event.
The rocket launch flew directly over Exploria Stadium, giving those in attendance a glowing beacon in the sky that immediately caught the attention of the crowd.
During the Orlando City game, the first-ever all-civilian crew launched into orbit, and they could be seen outside the stadium 🤯
The mission, dubbed Inspiration4, will orbit the Earth for three days and raise awareness and funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital while humankind takes another step toward space tourism.
Orlando City's Jonathan Suarez-Cortes Arrested, Charged with Sexual Battery
Feb 24, 2021
Balls lie on the pitch before an MLS soccer playoff match between Orlando City and the New York City FC, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Osceola County, Florida deputy sheriffs have arrested and charged Orlando City SC defender Jonathan Suarez-Cortes and his brother, Rafael Saurez, with sexual battery.
Per Katie Rice and Davis Harris of the Orlando Sentinel, the two brothers are accused of raping a woman in their Kissimmee, Florida apartment.
Per Rice and Harris, the affidavit said a woman was drinking for about two hours with Suarez-Cortes and his brother at TopGolf on Sunday. The woman and a friend went with the brothers to their apartment where they played beer pong.
According to the affidavit, at the apartment, the woman said she began having consensual sex with Rafael Suarez in his room before he let his brother into the room. Per Rice and Harris, Suarez-Cortes "said that he wanted 'in on the fun,' the affidavit said. The woman told them both 'no,' but Suarez-Cortes forced her to perform a sex act on him, even after she tried to pull away, and told his brother to resume having sex with her, the affidavit said."
Per Rice and Harris, the woman left the apartment with a friend, "who she later confided in Monday and who encouraged her to contact law enforcement."
The brothers appeared in court Wednesday, and a judge set the bond for each man at $20,000.
MLS announced that it has suspended Suarez-Cortes pending investigations from the league and Osceola County Sheriff's Office.
"Orlando City SC became aware that defender Jonathan Suárez was arrested in Osceola County. The Club takes these allegations very seriously and is currently gathering more information. No further comment will be provided by the Club until additional investigation of the alleged incident is complete."
Suarez-Cortes, 24, is on loan from Queretaro FC of Liga MX. The Anaheim native arrived at Orlando this month.
Nani Scores Twice, Leads Orlando City SC to MLS Is Back Tournament Final
Aug 6, 2020
Orlando City forward Nani celebrates after scoring against the Minnesota United during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in Kissimmee, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Orlando City is heading to the MLS is Back Tournament Final, and it has Nani to thank.
The veteran winger was brilliant Thursday night, notching a first-half brace in the club's 3-1 victory over Minnesota United. Mason Toye pulled one back for Minnesota United in the 83rd minute, but Benji Michel's breakaway goal in second-half stoppage time sealed Orlando City's place in the final.
Awaiting Orlando City are the Portland Timbers, who beat the Philadelphia Union 2-1 in the other semifinal Wednesday night. The two teams will fight for top billing Tuesday night at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Both of Nani's goals were stunners.
The first was set up by Robin Jansson's lofting ball over the top of the Minnesota United defense in the 36th minute. Nani took a brilliant first touch to corral the pass, shielded his defender and managed to poke his shot past goalkeeper Tyler Miller to open the scoring.
His second was just as impressive, as he was given way too much space on the edge of the box in the 42nd minute and curled an inch-perfect screamer past a fully outstretched Miller to double the lead.
Best goal of the season so far. Nani take a bow, or just do your somersault! Outrageous goal 👏🏻 Folks, Orlando haven’t skipped a beat. This team is so balanced, and now with real game changers in Pereira, Nani and Mueller. #MLSisBack#OCSC pic.twitter.com/HkicxcN9cU
It was those moments of brilliance that spoiled a performance from Minnesota that it'll be disappointed didn't lead to a place in the final. The teams split possession evenly, but United put up 17 shots to just seven for Orlando City. The difference was that just three of them were on target and only one found the back of the net, while Orlando City put four on target and buried three of them.
One side was clinical, and one side was not. It was really that simple.
Minnesota United's one goal was a nice effort from Toye, however, and an even better one from Kevin Molino, who set it up with a stunning, incisive pass:
That was the culmination of a steady torrent of threatening moments from United, including this free-kick that required a brilliant save from Pedro Gallese:
But despite mounting pressure, Orlando City held off those attacks before Michel finished Minnesota United for good. Unsurprisingly, it was Nani who sent him on his way:
The stiffer defense of the Portland Timbers awaits. Portland did well to stifle the Philadelphia Union's dangerous attack, packing the middle of the pitch and hitting Philly on the counter. It's hard to imagine the veteran Timbers giving Nani much space to operate with Tuesday.
Granted, Nani proved he doesn't need much room to make a major difference.
Ex-Manchester United Winger Nani Joins Orlando City on 3-Year Contract
Feb 18, 2019
LISBON, PORTUGAL - FEBRUARY 3: Nani of Sporting CP in action during the Liga NOS match between Sporting CP and SL Benfica at Estadio Jose Alvalade on February 3, 2019 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
The club's executive vice president of soccer operations, Luiz Muzzi, highlighted what his side are expecting from their new signing, per the club's officialwebsite.
"This is an exciting day for our organization," he said. "Nani brings tremendous experience to our roster. He's a dynamic winger with quality abilities to move and cross the ball, impact games and lead the offensive play."
Nani is an exciting winger with an eye for goal who rose to prominence at Manchester United after joining from Sporting in 2007. He went on to make over 200 appearances for the Red Devils, scoring 41 goals.
After leaving Old Trafford, Nani went on to play for Fenerbahce, Valencia and Lazio, and he possesses plenty of top-level experience.
La Liga showed off his acrobatic celebrations and offered a glimpse of what to expect from the winger:
Nani has also enjoyed a stellar international career with Portugal. He's won over 100 caps for the national team and played a key role in Portugal's victory at the 2016 UEFA European Championship:
The 32-year-old leaves Sporting after making 23 appearances for the club this season in all competitions and scoring eight times for Marcel Keizer's side.
Kaka Announces Retirement from Football on Instagram
Dec 17, 2017
ORLANDO, FL - JULY 21: Kaka of Orlando City during the MLS match between Atlanta United and Orlando City at Orlando City Stadium on July 21, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Former AC Milan star Ricardo Kaka has officially announced his retirement following the expiration of his contract with MLS team Orlando City.
The Brazilian took to social media to announce the news:
The news didn't come as a surprise, after the 35-year-old made it clear he wouldn't renew with Orlando City earlier this year, perESPN FC. At the time, he didn't rule out another spell with Brazilian club Sao Paulo, but retirement always seemed more likely.
Kaka moved to Europe in 2003 to join Milan and enjoyed the best spell of his career in Italy. With the Rossoneri, he won one Serie A title and the UEFA Champions League, and he also added the 2007 Ballon d'Or award―becoming the last to win the trophy before the dominance of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
AC Milan's supporters hold posters reading 'Vendesi' (for sale) and a flag reading 'Kaka' during the Italian Serie A football match between AC Milan and Sampdoria at San Siro Stadium in Milan on April 12, 2015. AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACE (Photo cr
When he moved to Real Madrid in 2009, he was widely regarded as one of the best players in the world, but he never lived up to the hype in the Spanish capital. Injuries played their part, but he also proved a poor fit with Los Blancos, who signed Ronaldo in the same window and placed a higher emphasis on pace and athleticism.
He would return to Milan for one season before moving to MLS in 2014. With Orlando, Kaka again showed flashes of his tremendous talent, giving the expansion team an immediate boost.
While his spell in La Liga was short, the league's official Twitter account congratulated the Brazilian on a wonderful career:
One of football's greatest talents is hanging up his boots after a glittering career! ⚽️🇧🇷🏆
PerESPN FC, Kaka previously told Sky Sport Italia he could return to the Rossoneri in some capacity, and the Italians could certainly use his help. Milan have consistently disappointed for years, failing to live up to the expectations since his second spell with the squad.
He visited the San Siro in November and met with the club's new owners, so don't be surprised if Kaka takes a position with the Rossoneri in the near future.
The Forgotten Genius of Kaka
Oct 16, 2017
A.C. Milan's Brazilian midfielder Kaka attends the UEFA Champions League Group D qualification match between AC Milan and Celtic Glasgow 04 december 2007 at San Siro Stadium in Milan. Milan won 1-0. AC Milan and Celtic are both qualified for the Champions League knock-out stages. AFP PHOTO DAMIEN MEYER (Photo credit should read DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images)
It seems difficult for the modern football fan to comprehend, but there was a time when the game was not dominated by Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and their seemingly eternal, intergalactic battle for supremacy.
There was a time when other players might have been argued over, supported the claims of or even officially crowned the best player in the world, but that time is now a full decade past. Since then, the Portuguese forward has won the Ballon d'Or four times; the Argentinian maestro five.
The current list of candidates for the 2017 version of the award features 30 names, but it still only showcases a battle between those same two.
It has been 10 years since an alternative player presented a strong enough case to leave Ronaldo and Messi to mere podium-place fillers, looking up at another who could call themselves the greatest; back in 2007 it happened, though.
Back in 2007, the best footballer in the world was Kaka.
Rise
The familiar story of a Brazilian street-urchin turned global superstar doesn't apply to Ricardo Izecson dos Santos Leite, but it doesn't lessen his story in the slightest. Kaka joined Sao Paulo as a youngster, and had signed for AC Milan by age 21—but before then, he had to overcome a severe spinal injury that might have ended his career.
Soon after joining the Serie A side, though, he became a fixture in the Milan outfit of Carlo Ancelotti and helped the team to the 2003/04 title in his maiden campaign. Ten goals in that initial season showcased what was to come, not just in finding the back of the net but for his overall productivity in the final third.
Kaka displaced Manuel Rui Costa from the team, forged a tremendous understanding with key strikers Andriy Shevchenko and Pippo Inzaghi, and became the creative hub of the Rossoneri.
Milan AC's Brazilian midfielder Kaka jubilates after scoring his team's second goal against Inter milan during the Italian Serie A match 05 October 2003 at San Siro stadium in Milan. AFP PHOTO / PATRICK HERTZOG (Photo credit should read PATRICK HERTZOG/
The Brazilian spent six years at the San Siro, and although that opening campaign was the only one to yield a league title, there was plenty more success—team and individual—ahead to enjoy, as Kaka's particular style and incomparable genius made him a household name for both club and country.
To do so for Brazil, in the era he did, should alone be a testament to just how good Kaka was.
The great Ronaldo bore the No. 9 shirt, Ronaldinho the No. 10. There was also Adriano, then still a muscular, unstoppable striker in good standing—yet Kaka had to be included, and Carlos Alberto Parreira found a way to include all four in a 4-2-2-2 system. Kaka's industry and selflessness was the only factor that made it possible, given the others' propensity to remain part of the attack.
Dortmund, 27 juin 2006. (L-R) Adriano, Kaka and Ronaldo of Brazil celebrate during the match in the World Cup 2006 in Germany between Brasil and Ghana played at 'Fifa World Cup' stadium in Dortmund.
That team didn't win the FIFA World Cup, but Kaka remained in the side under various managers—either side of injuries and semi-permanent exiles—to rack up almost a century of caps: 92 in total, the same as Pele, more than Dunga, Rivaldo, Dida or even Neymar so far—though the latter will inevitably surpass him eventually.
Those national-team exploits, though—winning two Confederations Cups, a part of the 2002 World Cup-winning squad, being awarded the Golden Ball at the 2009 Confeds and the favour he found from coaches and fans alike—all stemmed from his unrelenting brilliance at AC Milan.
Genius
Ronaldinho had frightening, fantastical, flamboyant ability. There's no doubt there came a spell where he was the best in the world, combining pure joy of his style with a devastating end product.
But Kaka, in his own way, was every bit as relentless, every bit as productive, every bit as majestic.
His gait, particularly when in possession, was mesmeric. Reasonably unusual in stature for a playmaking midfielder at a little over six feet tall, Kaka could still turn and accelerate past a defender in the same way the smaller, low-centre-of-gravity No. 10s would manage—but that same elegant, long-legged stride made him unstoppable on the run.
Kaka had real power and acceleration in possession, simultaneously appearing to glide and surge to leave defenders for dead in one-on-one situations; while he rarely showboated with insane stepovers or made opponents look foolish with clever footwork, he was difficult to dispossess.
At the end of Kaka's solo dribbles, there came real genius in execution. A perfectly weighted pass between defenders is tough enough to do at the best of times, but to do so on the run, after a 30-metre sprint, often off-balance due to being challenged, is an act of creativity reserved only for the best.
Kaka could make it look as routine as a short corner.
An ability not only to make the pass, but to even see it, to witness his team-mates' runs ahead of him and judge just when to initiate releasing the ball, was at-times perfection matched only by the true elite in the modern era: Zinedine Zidane, Andres Iniesta and few others.
If not a pass, a shot.
Kaka netted close to 100 goals in the red and black, but his tallies were all about consistency: never more than 20 in a campaign, only once fewer than 14. Big games, big moments, and Kaka would make sure his team had a chance.
Standout
The Ballon d'Or came Kaka's way in 2007, but that wasn't all.
He also won the Serie A Footballer of the Year (a second such title), was named in the UEFA Team of the Year (a second of three), was the top scorer in the UEFA Champions League, and won the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year, the FIFPro World Player of the Year andthe FIFA World Player of the Year.
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND - DECEMBER 17: Cristiano Ronaldo (L) of Manchester United and Portugal stands alongside Kaka (C) of AC Milan and Brazil and Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Argentina during the FIFA World Player of The Year Gala 2007 at the Zurich Oper
Those were his individual titles; with Milan, he lifted the Champions League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.
That year, Milan were the world's best team, and Kaka was the world's best player.
And it wasn't even close, amassing almost 200 points more in the Ballon d'Or voting than second-placed Cristiano Ronaldo. It can't have been a surprise, either. In the Champions League semi-finals, Milan faced United—Kaka faced Ronaldo.
The Brazilian netted three times across the two legs, including a brace away from home, to send his side through 5-3 on aggregate. It wasn't just goals where he impacted; Kaka ran the game, from start to finish, and showed an individual quality far and away above any other player on the pitch.
His ability to handle the biggest stage came to the fore just as much as his technical brilliance; combining the two there was nobody who could stop him.
That was perhaps his standout, most memorable contribution on the big stage of all time, and it sent Milan toward the final, the trophy and his haul of individual platitudes.
Madrid
What should have been a natural progression and a perfect union sadly never worked out, and Kaka's transfer to Real Madrid was the start of his legacy being unfairly tarnished, unduly forgotten in some quarters.
His switch wasn't quite a world-record fee—that belonged to Zidane—but his second-place price tag was bumped down to third even before the season started, as Cristiano Ronaldo followed him to the Santiago Bernabeu.
It meant quite the collection of attackers: Raul, Karim Benzema, Guti, Gonzalo Higuain and Rafael van der Vaart were also all at the club, and while the ability (and price tag) of Kaka meant he would easily command a place, it was the arrival of Ronaldo—and their subsequently diverging paths—which has really seen Kaka's former brilliance fade from memory rather quicker than it ought to have.
MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 02: Cristiano Ronaldo (R) of Real Madrid runs with the ball flanked by his teammate Kaka during the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Osasuna at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on May 2, 2010 in Madrid, Spain. Real Madrid won the ma
Injuries meant the Brazilian wasn't on the pitch as often as he'd like, and when he was, it was often playing catchup, tactically as well as physically.
He still had a particularly good campaign in 11/12—winning the title in La Liga was just reward that year—but it wasn't the sweeping, dominant Kaka of old.
Four years at Madrid left some feeling underwhelmed by Kaka's contribution. Was it just injuries that saw him deliver below what he was capable of? Or was he now being measured on a scale of one-to-Ronaldo, who had surpassed not just Kaka, but every player in the world other than Messi by this point?
Kaka returned to Milan in 2013, spending time playing effectively as a second forward, before a short stint back at Sao Paulo preceded his move to MLS.
There he became a Designated Player for expansion side Orlando City, where he has played the past three years as a key figure in MLS, at times showing glimpses of that old, majestic ability.
Now aged 35, Kaka has just played his final game for the Lions. He departs the Florida side having been unable to help them into the play-offs since they joined the league, but he played in the All-Star game each year and was named MVP of the fixture in 2015.
Perhaps it's somewhat poetic that the highest-profile part of Kaka's career is bookended in this way: Since he won the Ballon d'Or in 2007, no player from Serie A has even been named in the top three. Now as he departs MLS, a rebirth of Italian football is well under way and the league is more competitive, more fuelled by quality, than at any point since he initially left.
There isn't another like Kaka, and the genius he brought to the game in the mid-to-late 2000s shouldn't be easily overlooked or forgotten.
Kaka Says He Won't Renew Contract with Orlando City After Season
Oct 11, 2017
ORLANDO, FL - JULY 21: Kaka of Orlando City during the MLS match between Atlanta United and Orlando City at Orlando City Stadium on July 21, 2017 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Brazilian midfielder Kaka has confirmed he will not be renewing his contract with Orlando City at the end of the Major League Soccer season.
"I want to announce that I am not going to renew my contract with Orlando City," he said on Wednesday, per Football Italia. "That is all I want to announce. I will honour the Orlando shirt to the end of the season."
The 35-year-old joined in 2014 amid much fanfare and has been a key figure for the team. However, Kaka has admitted recently he is beginning to feel the strain of so much football and will be embarking on a new challenge at the end of the year.
"I don’t feel joy in playing football anymore, as I feel pain every time I finish a match," he toldGloboesporte(h/tFootball Italia). "My body doesn’t deal with it very well now and at the age of 35 it is very difficult to recover every time."
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JUNE 27: Kaka attends a press conference ahead of tomorrow's 'The Dugout' YouTube Live TV Show on June 27, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Raphael Dias/Getty Images for Adidas)
Despite admitting such wear and tear, the former Real Madrid and AC Milan star was adamant he could still offer something and would not be hanging up his boots quite yet.
"My decision not to renew the contract was not based on a physical issue and neither will the next step in my career," he said at Wednesday’s briefing. “What’s next for me is just this moment, so the only thing I know right now is that I won’t be an Orlando City player next season. That is the only certainty I have."
During his time with the Florida outfit, Kaka has made 44 appearances in total, netting 15 goals in the process, six of which have come in the current campaign.
Speaking at the press conference, Orlando’s majority owner Flavio Augusto da Silva thanked the Brazilian for his three years of service, per Alicia Rose DelGallo of theOrlando Sentinel:
Flavio: You were a very important piece, a very important element, ingredient for the success of this club.
Indeed, Kaka arrived in the club’s debut season as a top-flight franchise and netted the first MLS goal in the team’s history, scoring in injury time to grab a 1-1 draw against New York City FC.
Unfortunately for the legendary playmaker, he will almost certainly leave Orlando without having won silverware or featured in the playoffs. The team currently sit in 10th in the Eastern Conference, seven points back on sixth place New York Red Bulls.
Kaka is most remembered for his form at AC Milan, where he won the UEFA Champions League, the Serie A title and in 2007 the coveted Ballon d’Or.
Kaka Injury: Updates on Orlando City Star's Status and Return
Jun 1, 2016
Orlando City's Kaka moves the ball against the Montreal Impact during the second half of an MLS soccer game, Saturday, May 21, 2016, in Orlando, Fla. Orlando won 2-1. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Orlando City captain Kaka will not be able to participate in Copa America Centenario for the Brazil national team due to a muscle injury.
Continue for updates.
Ganso to Replace Kaka in Copa America Centenario
Wednesday, June 1
Brazilian journalist Paulo Freitas reported the news on Kaka, citing former goalkeeper and general national team coordinator Gilmar Rinaldi as the source of information.
Orlando City SC confirmed Kaka's status, and Freitas added the 34-year-old would need 15-20 days without training.
Jack Lang of ESPN FC highlighted how Brazil have had to do considerable roster reshuffling even before Kaka's injury:
Paulo Henrique Ganso called up to Brazil's Copa América squad to replace injured Kaká (who was himself a replacement for Douglas Costa)
Brazil begins their Copa America tournament on Saturday with a match against Ecuador. The Canarinho have won the continental football competition title eight times, which ranks third to Uruguay's 15 and Argentina's 14.
This year marks the first time the tournament won't be hosted on South American soil, going to the USA instead.
Although they haven't won the past two titles, Brazil has come out on top in the tournament in four of their past seven outings. They will need to figure out a way to bolster the attack without Kaka roaming the midfield, though.
And Kaka is far from the only marquee Brazilian player not suiting up for Copa America. As Freitas reported, Rafinha, Ederson, Ricardo Oliveira and Douglas Costa will also be out of action.
Brazil has their work cut out to seize the Copa America trophy for the first time since 2007 with all those key absences. Neymar was also declared out for the tournament back in April.
