Postby Monitor Diss » October 10th, 2014, 7:27 pm
Molino relishing chance to play with Kaka
By JOEL BAILEY Thursday, September 18 2014
NATIONAL FOOTBALLER Kevin Molino is relishing his chance to play with former Brazilian midfield ace Kaka at Orlando City during the 2015 Major League Soccer (MLS) season.
The 24-year-old Molino made this disclosure during a recent interview, which was conducted by the club’s press officer Jhamie Chin.
Kaka, the 32-year-old former Brazil, Sao Paulo, AC Milan and Real Madrid midfield legend, is currently on loan at Sao Paulo but will rejoin Orlando (as their first Designated Player) next year.
“I’m excited to see a legend, a World Cup winner, a Ballon d’or winner, a Champions League winner could come at Orlando City,” said the soft-spoken Molino. “It’s not just me, but everybody would be excited.
“And it’s something that I can’t wait to happen,” he continued. “I’m just looking forward to it and hoping we can create a partnership.”
The slimly-built Molino, a former Mucurapo Senior Comprehensive standout, was a member of the national youth teams that competed in the 2007 FIFA Under-17 World Cup in South Korea and the 2009 FIFA Under-20 World Cup in Egypt.
He also played locally at San Juan Jabloteh (2008) and Ma Pau (2009-2011) before joining Orlando in the United Soccer League (USL) Professional Division in March 2011.
This season, he netted 20 goals as the club won their third Supporters’ Shield (regular season championship) in four years.
He earned a lot of accolades this year – the Fans’ Player of the Year, the USL PRO Scoring Champion, the USL PRO Golden Boot (leading goalscorer). USL PRO Assist Champion (nine assists) and Players’ Player of the Year.
Molino noted, “(it) was a lot of pressure, individually and also collectively as a team moving up to the MLS. It was plenty pressure, everyone wanted to beat us.
“So we had to be, at the same time, focused and up to the challenge,” he added. “And most importantly I have a kid. Somebody have to look up to me now and I have to represent in a professional way. I take it on board and just focus on anything I do I have to do it to benefit my family and my son.”
He is also grateful to club coach Adrian Heath for his prolific scoring form in 2014.
“The way how the coach pushed me in training, to keep on scoring goals,” he stated. “And I play more as a number 10 position, a position that I always want to play growing up and I never (got) the opportunity. I think I’ll make the most of it.
“For the club to win the League, for me scoring the most amount of goals give me confidence to continue doing what I’m doing now into the MLS.”
Concerning life in the United States, he admitted, “it’s difficult. A different culture. You have to find a way (to adapt) and everything becomes normal.
“It’s similar to Trinidad — the weather, and there are Trinidadians here so they welcome me. Everything is like normal now.”
And, with regards to the football style in the USL, he pointed out, “it’s difficult to adapt to the football in the USL but the style of play that we play is the most important thing. It’s a style of play that we enjoy, that suits me the way that I play. The style of play for me is a really exciting style.”
Trinidad and Tobago will be participating in the Caribbean Cup Second Qualifying Round at home from October 8-12.
“The last game (for the club) will be on the 27th and it’s important that I take part in that game,” he said. The (Caribbean Cup) will be in October so I have plans to make that team. Hopefully, I get called up and be in the squad, and play with these guys again.”
