By DAN KARELL
Last week’s visit to the Orlando City SC training facility by Kaka might not have just been for fun.
Speaking to a local reporters, Orlando City head coach Adrian Heath stated that if the club make the jump to Major League Soccer in 2015 as they are hoping, the Real Madrid midfielder could be wearing the iconic purple jerseys of Orlando City.
Kaka was in Orlando last week due to many connections he has with the Orlando City owner Flavio Augusto da Silva, who has not only helped spearhead the campaign for a new stadium and a place in MLS, but has through his connections back in his native Brazil, helped bring Brazilian club Fluminense in for a mid-season friendly on Saturday.
The former World Player of the Year has long been rumored for a move to the New York Red Bulls, but Wednesday’s news has certainly sent shock waves up the eastern seaboard.
Here are some more notes from around the nation:
NASL IN OKLAHOMA CITY? IT CERTAINLY COULD BE
The North American Soccer League could be coming to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 2015.
Earlier this week, Sold Out Strategies and their president Brad Lund were awarded the lease to Taft Stadium, which they plan on renovating and refurbishing to house a professional soccer team in the NASL. The $9 million dollar renovations are set to be completed by the end of 2014, just in time to put a team on the field the following spring.
Taft Stadium is currently used by a couple of local high school’s football teams, but has been in a state of disrepair recently due to lack of funding within the city towards fixing the stadium built in the heart of the Great Depression.
Lund and his ownership group will make a formal presentation to the NASL Board of Governors on July 25, in Dallas, Texas, but it looks a forgone conclusion that Oklahoma City will become the next NASL franchise.
COSMOS WIN PRE-SEASON OPENER, DECLINE TO SIGN BELLION
The New York Cosmos started off their pre-season strong, defeating USASA side Newtown Pride, 6-0, at a match with proceeds going to the Newtown Parent Connection.
New signing Marcos Senna was not in the squad, but the team found six different scorers on the night, including Spain native Ayoze, who scored the opener on a curling free kick. Henry Lopez, Edison, and Pablo Mendes were among the scorers on the night for the Cosmos as well.
In other news, sources told SBI that the Cosmos have decided not to make former Manchester United forward David Bellion a contract offer, after the Frenchman spent last week trailing with the club.
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What do you make of these reports? Do you see Kaka playing for Orlando City over RBNY? Do you like the choice of OKC for an NASL team? Surprised that Bellion wasn’t offered a contract?
Share your thoughts below.