Kaka has keyed Orlando City SC getting solid results lately, and having another Brazilian midfielder back in action could make the expansion club even more dangerous.
Pedro Ribeiro scored a key goal last weekend in his return to the field and now can help Orlando City push its unbeaten streak to four Saturday night against the Chicago Fire.
Both teams enter this match in Chicago with 14 points -- only three teams have fewer -- but the Fire haven't had much time off since a 3-1 road loss to D.C. United on Wednesday. Orlando City (3-5-3) hasn't played since a 2-all draw against Columbus last Saturday.
Kaka scored for a third consecutive game, a stretch in which Orlando City has gone 1-0-2 after earning one point in its previous four matches. However, it was Ribeiro's goal in the 89th minute that forged the tie, and he nearly got the winner in stoppage time but his shot sailed just wide.
Ribeiro, who turns 25 next week, entered in the 72nd minute after missing the previous seven games with a hamstring injury.
"He got his rewards for the hard work," coach Adrian Heath told the club's official website. "There's very rarely a day I come here and he isn't already here, and I leave and he is still here. He's worked really hard to keep his fitness levels up."
Though it's unclear if he'll crack the starting lineup anytime soon, Ribeiro could be a key component going forward considering he's made a major impact in only five games. He set up the winner against Houston in his season debut March 13, then had a goal and an assist two weeks later in a 2-all draw at Montreal.
Kaka, meanwhile, is among the league leaders with six goals. Orlando City has gone 3-0-3 in those games, compared to 0-5-0 when he fails to score.
Winning at Toyota Park won't be easy, though, with the Fire (4-2-6) having taken four of five at home while allowing four goals.
Chicago beat Montreal 3-0 there last Saturday but blew a 1-0 lead in D.C. this week to have a three-match unbeaten streak snapped. David Accam scored in the 28th minute before the Fire gave up three goals in a 14-minute span of the second half.
"There was so much positive in the first half and we have to forget about the scores today and concentrate on the next game on Saturday," Accam said. "We should play the way we played in the first half and we should win on Saturday."
The Fire remain without midfielder Shaun Maloney, who was called up to the Scottish national team.
Orlando welcomes back defender Brek Shea after he sat out last weekend due to a red card suspension.
These teams' only meeting was the Fire's 5-1 win in U.S. Open Cup play in 2013 before Orlando City joined MLS.
