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2017 Orlando City Season in Review: Tony Rocha

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6 years ago

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Entering his first full season on an MLS contract, Tony Rocha was creating a bit of a buzz in preseason training camp. He was playing well, getting minutes, and showing versatility by playing both fullback and midfield. Everything seemed to be coming up Rocha.

But then something happened that is a killer for unproven players — he sustained a hamstring injury in the final preseason game. When Rocha finally became healthy again, he had to start all over regaining his game fitness and form, but by that time he was at Orlando City B and the MLS side had moved on and settled into a player rotation. Before he could give Jason Kreis something else to think about in regard to that rotation, Rocha reinjured his hammy. It was, as Rocha said earlier this year, a frustrating time for him.

“It’s definitely been a frustrating year for me,” Rocha said. “I worked to get back into full health, and I did. I progressed through OCB, getting minutes there and getting back into the swing of games and everything, got a chance with the first team, played against D.C., get my confidence back and then pulled my hamstring again.”

Ultimately, Rocha never really was able to make a mark on Orlando City in 2017 and seemed almost like a guest player with OCB at times.

Statistical Breakdown

The Spring, TX, native was on the MLS team sheet seven times but appeared in only three MLS matches — all off the bench — for a total of 25 minutes played in 2017. He didn’t score a goal but he did register his first career assist in his 17 minutes off the bench against D.C. United on May 31. He attempted no shots and committed one foul (which earned him a yellow card). He completed just 60% of his passes, which is a tough way to earn more playing time, as only Joe Bendik (55.8%) had a worse completion percentage.

Defensively, Rocha averaged 0.3 tackles per game, with no clearances or interceptions. This is due mainly to the fact that he only played 25 minutes and 17 of those came in one game in which he replaced an attacking midfielder.

At the USL level, Rocha played in 14 games (13 starts) for a total of 1,068 minutes. He posted a solid passing rate of 87.1% — the second best percentage on the young Lions by any player with more than 25 attempts — on 668 attempts, which was the ninth-most passes of anyone on the squad this season. That’s not bad for someone who only played in half the USL matches. He attempted just eight shots, getting one of them on target, and did not score a goal. He registered one assist on 13 key passes, tying for fifth among all OCB players in chances created.

Best Game

It’s pretty easy to point out Rocha’s best match of 2017 in MLS. On May 31, the 24-year-old played a season-high 17 minutes off the bench — replacing Matias Perez Garcia — in a 2-0 win over D.C. United. In that match, he registered his first MLS assist by setting up a Giles Barnes rocket that really should have been stopped by Bill Hamid, but it slipped through the keeper’s hands and into the goal. It was just a simple give-and-go with Barnes, but those are the kinds of quick, intricate passes that often create space for shots just like this one.

In addition to the assist, Rocha completed all four of his pass attempts in the game, creating two chances. He registered no defensive statistics.

2017 Final Grade

Just like last season, Rocha gets an incomplete on his final season report card. There was simply too small a sample size to get a sense of his value. After getting eight games and two starts in 2016, the Texan managed only three relief appearances, totaling 25 minutes, which is never going to be enough to judge a player on over the course of a season.

2018 Outlook

Last year, our Austin David wrote,

There's no reason to think that Rocha is not in the future plans of Orlando City. Obviously, Jason Kreis and the coaching staff think highly enough of both Rocha and Mikey Ambrose to bring them up from OCB to the MLS team. The Lions have predicated themselves on growing their young players since joining MLS and Rocha is a prime example of that. Expect him to have a bit of a bigger role as a reserve player than this past year.

That obviously didn’t happen, and at this point it’s fair to ask if it ever will. Rocha seems a versatile and valuable depth player, but it’s fair to say that he needed to show more at Orlando City B to get more playing time with the first team. Even though the Lions had a crowded defensive midfield with the likes of Antonio Nocerino, Will Johnson, Cristian Higuita, and Servando Carrasco, it’s not like any of them distinguished themselves as being irreplaceable in 2017. It’s possible Rocha is a proverbial ‘tweener,’ playing well enough to control games in the USL but not quite up to the task of getting regular playing time in MLS.

Maybe he can change that narrative in Orlando City’s 2018 preseason training camp.

Previous 2017 Player Season in Review Posts (Date Published)

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Orlando City

Orlando City vs. FC Cincinnati: Three Keys to Victory

What does Orlando City need to do to ensure a victory over FC Cincinnati Saturday at home?

Published

7 hours ago

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May 2, 2024

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Image courtesy of Orlando City SC / Mark Thor

Orlando City looks to bounce back from the disappointing 2-1 loss to Toronto FC Saturday night at Inter&Co Stadium. Cincinnati has twice as many points as Orlando City and more than twice as many wins. FCC has only scored one more goal than Orlando City, but with only nine goals conceded compared to Orlando City’s 17, it’s easy to see why Cincinnati is sitting in second place in the Eastern Conference.

What I’m trying to say is that the task doesn’t get any easier this weekend. What does Orlando City need to do to secure all three points at home against FC Cincinnati?

Accost Acosta

Cincinnati’s attack revolves around Luciano Acosta. The attacking midfielder has four goals and five assists so far this season. To put that into perspective, Duncan McGuire — Orlando City’s leading scorer — also has four goals but only one assist. If we look at the Lions’ attacking midfielders, Facundo Torres has one goal and one assist, Ivan Angulo and Nico Lodeiro both have one goal and two assists, and Martin Ojeda has zero goals and only one assist. Luis Muriel is still at double zeroes.

The defensive midfield and the back line must do everything possible to mark him out of the match. It’s not enough to keep him from scoring, they must also keep him from setting up chances for his teammates. Most importantly, the defense must do that for 90 minutes plus stoppage time. There is no room for the mental lapses we’ve seen throughout the first part of this season.

Break Through

Cincinnati is stingy on defense. As I mentioned above, the club has only allowed nine goals this season. The back line is formidable with the likes of Matt Miazga, Miles Robinson, and Ian Murphy. On the wings are DeAndre Yedlin and Luca Orellano. This is a tough defense, and whether it is McGuire or Muriel who gets the start, they must find the spaces in between.

Just as importantly, Torres, Angulo, Ojeda, and Lodeiro — depending on who is in at any given moment — must be able to thread the passes in for McGuire, Muriel, or each other to create quality chances. On top of that, the Lions must convert on those chances, which is not something that has been a strength so far this season. If the Orlando City defense continues to give up cheap goals, then the offense will need to one-up the competition when it comes to scoring.

Deal with an Unknown

FC Cincinnati recently signed Venezuelan forward Kevin Kelsy from Ukrainian Premier League club Shakhtar Donetsk. Kelsy comes in as an MLS U22 Initiative player and is eligible to play against Orlando City. Even though Kelsy is only 19, he has 68 professional appearances, including UEFA Champions Leagues matches. At 6-foot-3, he can be a challenge for defenders, especially in the air.

Kelsy hasn’t had much time with the team, but he could be a second-half substitution for Cincinnati. Given that Orlando City just gave up two late headers against Toronto FC, the back line will need to be careful that Kelsy doesn’t hurt the Lions in the same manner — especially if he comes on late when legs and minds are tired.

That is what I will be looking for Saturday night. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 5/2/24

The Pride win big, OCSC celebrates Mental Health Awareness Month, USMNT news, and more.

Published

10 hours ago

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May 2, 2024

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Jeremy Reper

It’s Thursday, Mane Landers. Of course, the name Thursday comes from Thor’s day, and as such, it isn’t a big leap for us to consider it Thorhallsson’s day. Though I suppose that is a bit of a mouthful, so we’ll just keep things the way they are, but do hold Dagur Dan close to your heart today. Also, let us wish a happy birthday to the Orlando Pride’s Luana. Despite the devastating news that dropped about her health earlier this week, we hope that her spirits are high and we wish her nothing but happiness today. It’s also Dagur Dan Thorhallsson’s birthday today, so we’re celebrating him as well. Let’s get to the links.

The Pride Dominate the Courage

The Orlando Pride defeated the North Carolina Courage 4-1 in a midweek match at Inter&Co Stadium. The Pride did indeed dominate the Courage as much as the score line indicates. It was once again the Barbra Banda show, with the Pride’s newest player contributing a brace and an assist on the night. It is the Pride’s fourth straight victory and the undefeated run continues.

OCSC Celebrates Mental Health Awareness Month

Orlando City and the Orlando Pride are doing their part this May to observe Mental Health Awareness Month. The club is sponsoring and attending events and forums available to the general public, as well as holding club staff workshops around promoting mental health. I have to say my favorite is the therapy dogs visits that will be available to the staff. There’s nothing as good for my personal mental health as the joy and unconditional love a dog can bring. If I didn’t have dogs of my own, I’d be really jealous.

The Billionaires Clubs

Orlando City and Orlando Pride owners, the Wilf family, are not the only billionaire owners in the NWSL. There are more and more owners and ownership groups that fall into that category. The influx of more money is a growth opportunity for the league and potentially for those owners. It’s a bit of a “rising tide lifts all boats” mentality for these owners as they do better when the league as a whole does better. It’s not just the owners who think so. The NWSL was ranked No. 5 on the World’s 50 Most Innovative Companies of 2024. I’m just glad the Pride are in the club.

USMNT News

I hate starting off a section with bad news, but Sergino Dest tore his ACL in training with PSV Eindhoven and will miss the Copa America. Dest will require surgery though there is no time frame yet for when he may return. The loss of Dest is a blow to the U.S. defense heading into the competition this coming June. The USMNT plays Bolivia on June 23.

In better news, Tim Weah provided the assist for Juventus on Arkadiusz Milik’s goal against Lazio. Juventus entered the second leg of the Copa Italia semifinal up 2-0, but Lazio drew level before Milik’s goal. Juventus advanced 3-2 on aggregate and will play in the final.

Free Kicks

That will do it for today. There’s plenty more soccer to come this weekend with all three teams playing. Check back for more as we get you ready for those matches. Vamos Orlando!

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Lion Links

Lion Links: 5/1/24

Mason Stajduhar was arrested, Orlando Pride play at home tonight, Colin Guske discusses his signing, and more.

Published

1 day ago

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May 1, 2024

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Image courtesy of Orlando Pride / Mark Thor

Welcome to Wednesday and welcome to May, Mane Landers. Don’t forget that the undefeated Orlando Pride are in action tonight, so check back for our match preview and the latest episode of SkoPurp Soccer: An Orlando Pride PawedCast for additional pre-match coverage. In the meantime, let’s get to the links.

Mason Stajduhar Arrested Early Sunday

Orlando City goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar and his wife Tatiana Stajduhar were both arrested on disorderly conduct charges following an incident at a nightclub overnight Saturday in the early hours of Sunday morning. The couple were reportedly disrespectful to the club’s staff and got into an altercation with the security guards. Mason stated he was only resisting the security guards to re-enter the club because the bouncers allegedly hit his wife. Tatiana allegedly pushed the police officers after they arrived, and she was not charged with battery on a law enforcement officer. The couple were released Monday after posting a bond. Orlando City provided the following statement to WESH 2 News:

“The Club is aware that goalkeeper Mason Stajduhar was arrested early Sunday morning. We are currently gathering more information and will have no further comment at this time.”

Orlando Pride Host the North Carolina Courage Tonight

After a 3-2 win on the road last Friday against the Washington Spirit, the Orlando Pride are back in the City Beautiful and will take on the North Carolina Courage tonight. Unbeaten in their six games so far this season, the Pride have also won their past three games and sit fourth in the standings. They’re tied on points with a Courage team that beat the Seattle Reign Saturday. Orlando has scored at least one goal in every match this season. Forward Barbra Banda had a great performance in that win against the Spirit, so hopefully the scoring trend continues tonight for the Pride.

Orlando City/Pride Earn Golden Brick Awards

Have you enjoyed the new food options at the stadium? I know I have, and I’m looking forward to trying even more. The efforts made by Orlando City’s front office to feature more local food and beverage options did not go unnoticed, as the club won the Hospitality & Dining category in the Downtown Orlando Partnership’s 2023 Golden Brick Awards. The Orlando Pride’s 2023 Highway Woman Kit also won the award in the Arts & Culture category. The home jersey was inspired by the work of Mary Ann Carroll, the sole woman in the famed Highwaymen artists from decades ago.

Colin Guske Speaks On Signing First Pro Contract

Orlando City Development Academy player Colin Guske signed his first professional contract with the club last month and spoke on the importance of this moment in his career. The 17-year-old is now on an MLS NEXT Pro contract with Orlando City B, and he has started in nearly every game for the Young Lions this year. Both of Guske’s brothers have also played for Orlando City’s academy over the years, and he thanked his family for helping him reach this point.

“It’s awesome to represent the Guskes,” Colin said. “Thanks to my brothers for always pushing me through early mornings and late nights, always putting in the work, doing video sessions, everything. My sister as well, for always being there for me and my parents, too. They’re always helping me and what was the best for me.”

Free Kicks

  • Enjoy all of the sights and sounds from the Pride’s big win over the Spirit in the nation’s capital.
  • The Champions League semifinals are underway and Real Madrid and Bayern Munich played to a 2-2 draw in Germany. The second leg will take place on May 8 in Madrid.

That will do it for today. If you can make it out to the stadium tonight to catch the Pride in action, I strongly suggest you do so. Barbra Banda is about to take the NWSL by storm and you’ll want to see it in person. Vamos Orlando!

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