Kaka recalled to Brazil's national team

• by Ridge Mahoney  @ridgemax, Aug 13, 2015

His exclusion from the 2014 World Cup was a bit of a surprise, and so is the news that midfielder Kaka has been named to the Brazilian squad that will play Costa Rica and the USA next month.

Brazil plays Costa Rica Sept. 5 at Red Bull Arena and meets the USA in Gillette Stadium three days later. Kaka, 33, has earned 89 caps since debuting in 2002 and played on Brazil’s World Cup-winning team that year.

He was bypassed for the Copa America this summer as well as last year, and this is his first callup since starting his MLS career with Orlando City SC, for which he has scored nine goals and registered four assists. He came off the bench last October in friendlies against Japan and Argentina.

Brazil manager Dunga has passed over veteran Thiago Silva as well as Liverpool playmaker Phillipe Coutinho.

“We gave him a chance in the Copa América,” Dunga told reporters regarding Coutinho when the squad was announced. “You can’t build with just youngsters, you need experience to help.”

Forwards Lucas and Hulk were recalled and Dunga has given midfielder Luca Lima his first chance with the senior team. Neymar is in the squad, as is the Chelsea midfield trio of Ramires, Oscar and Willian.

Brazil squad
Goalkeepers: Jefferson (Botafogo), Marcelo Grohe (Gremio), Alisson (Internacional).
Defenders: Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Danilo (Real Madrid), Filipe Luís (Atletico Madrid), Douglas Santos (Atletico-MG), Miranda (Internazionale), David Luiz (Paris SG),  Gabriel Paulista (Arsenal), Marquinhos (Paris SG).
Midfielders: Luiz Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Elias (Corinthians), Ramires (Chelsea), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Oscar (Chelsea), Douglas Costa (Bayern Munich), Willian (Chelsea), Lucas Lima (Santos), Kaká (Orlando City)
Forwards: Neymar (Barcelona), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Lucas (Paris SG), Hulk (Zenit St. Petersburg).