Preparations complete! Flamengo's main squad, which is in the final stretch of preseason in the United States, has finished preparing for the friendly against Orlando City, which will be played this Saturday (27), at 16 pm (Brasília time), at Exploria Stadium, in Florida. After the game, the red-black delegation returns to Brazil for the State Championship.

Tite's assistant, Cleber Xavier, spoke to FlaTV and highlighted Uruguayan De la Cruz's dynamic play and versatile style of play, which has already been praised by the club's manager.

"We've been observing from afar, nothing different. And he's a guy who's really getting along off the field, as he himself said in some interviews. And we feel that way with him too; the group is very welcoming," said the assistant, who continued.

"He's a very intelligent, very dynamic athlete, with this ability to perform one or two functions. And well. He did it a long time ago at River, and he's currently doing it with the national team under Bielsa, and we'll be able to get even more out of him or maintain his extremely high level. He'll definitely help us a lot," said Cleber.

Once the friendly in the US is over, it will be the alternate team's turn. The team, led by U-20 coach Mario Jorge, will take the field to face Portuguesa at 18:10 PM at Arena das Dunas in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte. The match is part of the fourth round of the Campeonato Carioca.

Flamengo and Portuguesa have faced each other 77 times, with Mengão having a clear advantage. Flamengo has won 70 times, drawn four times, and lost only three times.

Both matches will be broadcast in audio on FlaTV and FlaTV+.