Pedro Ribeiro talks about star impact on MLS, Orlando City's debut season and Kaka
The Brazilian midfielder thinks the Portland Timbers win proves team strength is vital, and had high praise for Kaka.
Orlando City's Pedro Ribeiro thinks the Portland Timbers' MLS Cup win goes a long way to proving a superstar isn't required to win the league.
The midfielder talked exclusively with Goal Brazil about his experiences in his latest year in the league and when asked about the Timbers success, compared with the struggles of teams like New York City FC, he said it definitely shows the value of a strong team.
"I didn't think about it until little time ago, it's an interesting point. Portland showed that you can win things without having a superstar, which proves that, no matter the country you're playing win, a single player can't win alone," Ribeiro said.
However, Ribeiro still believes the star presence is good for the league.
"It's great to have these guys around on the league, it brings attention to us, and fans to the stadiums. But it also shows how strong is the league getting, and how interesting as well. For me, it's great," Ribeiro said.
Reflecting back on the season with expansion club Orlando City after playing for the Philadelphia Union in 2014, the 25-year-old Riberio spoke highly of the fan support the new MLS team received in its debut campaign.
"It was an interesting year, I might say. It was hard, but it was the first year of this team, the club brought in different players, who never played together before," he said. "But it was also a great year, the way the city embraced the team was a highlight. We had the second best attendance average of the league, so that's something big."
"Of course we are disappointed for not reaching playoffs, but we almost set a new point record for a first-year team. This creates big expectations for the next year, that we can reach playoffs and, who know, get our hands on the MLS title or the U.S, Open Cup."
Turning to individuals, and speaking on who impressed him the most in MLS this past season, Ribeiro had plenty of praise for teammate and fellow Brazilian Kaka.
"It was great living alongside [Kaka] this year," he said. "Being able to watch him play it's great since we play the same position, there's always something I can bring to my own game. It was a good year for him, and he was a very important leader for us and the younger players."
However, when it came down to he considered the league's best player Ribeiro went in a different direction - instead of league MVP Sebastian Giovinco, he thinks MLS' standout this past season was Kei Kamara.
"Giovinco also was a highlight and did great, but for me the best player this year was Kei Kamara. He has loads of quality and had a spectacular year."
On Kaka, Ribeiro admitted to some nervousness around the legend, but explained how Kaka was able to turn an awkward situation with Ribeiro's family into a memorable one.
"On my first trip as his roommate, I was quite intimidated being around a player of his caliber, he's always been an idol," he said. So there I was, on my bed, talking with my parents on Skype... without my headphones, which I usually don't do. So when my folks spotted Kaka, they started 'Wow, Kaka? I can't believe he's just by your side! Is he sleeping?'
"And he heard everything, he was looking at me and laughing. It was an awkward, but fun moment. But he's a very cool, humble guy, so he just came by and started chatting with my mom and dad."
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