Orlando City Signs Tony Rocha for U.S. Open Cup

June 28, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Orlando City B News Release

ORLANDO, Fla. - Orlando City SC has signed midfielder Tony Rocha from Orlando City B (OCB), the Club's United Soccer League (USL) affiliate, to a Short Term Agreement ahead of its U.S. Open Cup Round of 16 match against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers on June 29. Rocha will be on a four-day contract and will continue with OCB following the match.

MLS clubs may sign players from their USL affiliates to Short Term Agreements (up to four-day contracts) for CONCACAF Champions League, AMWAY Canadian Championship, U.S. Open Cup and exhibition matches. An MLS club may sign a player to a maximum of four short-term agreements each season (maximum of 16 days).

Rocha joins the MLS side for the second time in this year's U.S. Open Cup campaign, after playing in the second half against the Jacksonville Armada FC in the fourth-round match. The 22-year-old has become a fixture in head coach Anthony Pulis' midfield and has two assists and 10 shots in 14 games.

Orlando City advanced to the Round of 16 after its 1-0 win over the Jacksonville Armada on June 15. Center back David Mateos scored in the 62nd minute after Júlio Baptista headed Antonio Nocerino's corner service to the Spaniard for his first goal with the Lions.

Fort Lauderdale, of the North American Soccer League (NASL), defeated MLS side D.C. United 4-3 in a penalty kick shootout following a 0-0 draw. Orlando City defeated the Strikers 2-0 in a preseason friendly, riding goals from Hadji Barry and Pedro Ribeiro.

Orlando City is 11-5 all-time in the U.S. Open Cup and has never lost to a non-MLS team in the nation's oldest soccer tournament.

United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 28, 2016

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• Blackwood Named to USL Team of the Week After Two-Goal Week 14 - Phoenix Rising FC
• Orlando City Signs Tony Rocha for U.S. Open Cup - Orlando City B
• Sacramento Republic FC U-17/18 Academy Team Advances to Academy Playoff Quarterfinals - Sacramento Republic FC
• Wednesday Match Preview - Colorado Springs Switchbacks v. Real Monarchs SLC - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
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• FCC's Bone Recognized on USL Team of the Week - FC Cincinnati
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• Louisville City FC's Abend Named to USL Team of the Week - Louisville City FC
• San Antonio FC Forward Jacques Francois Named to USL Team of the Week - San Antonio FC
• Cincinnati Bell Inc. Announced as Crystal Palace Match Presenting Sponsor - FC Cincinnati

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