In the absence of Orlando City B during its standing, one-year hiatus, Orlando City SC has had an abundance of players who are, perhaps, not getting the necessary attention and minutes for proper development.
Of that group is third-year Lion Tony Rocha, who is a part of City’s deepest position group: the midfielders. To provide Rocha with more opportunities, the club announced the 24-year-old will be loaned to Saint Louis FC of the United Soccer League.
Per the press release, the loan will expire on April 15, but it can be extended upon mutual agreement. Ultimately, Orlando City retain the right to recall Rocha at any time.
Rocha’s return to the USL will have him reunite with former OCB head coach Anthony Pulis. In 2016 and 2017 combined, Rocha scored a goal and recorded an assist in 33 appearances and 32 starts, notching 2,507 minutes for OCB.
For the club’s MLS side, he’s played 12 games and started two of them since 2016, recording one assist in 2017. His lone appearance in 2018 was a 23-minute outing off the bench in a 2-1 loss to Minnesota United FC on March 10.
City’s midfield is filled to the brim with Sacha Kljestan, the league’s leader in assists the past two seasons, coming from the New York Red Bulls and Justin Meram arriving from Columbus Crew SC.
The Lions also have Peruvian men’s national-team player Yoshimar Yotún for the second season in a row. He’ll be heading to the FIFA World Cup in Russia this summer.
Orlando returns to action on Sunday at 4 p.m. when they host the Portland Timbers.
For more on City, as they look to start their first winning streak of 2018, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.
To contact Victor, you can email him at vtan@newdayreview.com.
