Rochez Likely to Start Season at OCB and Other Training Notes
Orlando City is still in the midst of finalizing their 2016 MLS roster, today at training we asked Adrian Heath about his plans for SuperDraft selections Hadji Barry and Richie Laryea early in the season. While he didn’t provide much in the way of an answer to this specific question he did go on to answer other lingering issues.
“At the moment we’re still evaluating where we think they are.” Heath stated before immediately voicing concern about the status of Carlos Rivas and Bryan Rochez, as that will likely determine what the club needs to do with it’s pair of rookies. “Obviously, we’ve got a situation with Rivas and Rochez. Now Rochez is a probably a bit more of a concern at this moment in time, so we’ll see where we are with them and that might influence what we do in terms of the green card situation.”
Sending Rochez down to OCB not only solves the problem of getting him minutes but gives the club some time for the green cards to come in allowing Orlando City to juggle some roster spots. In fact Heath even confirmed these thoughts after mentioned by reporters.
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Heath also confirmed that Orlando City is still working the transfer window as the season nears.
“We’ve had one or two things that we’re still trying to do, which will be internally rather than internationally, we’re still trying.” He said.
Finally, Heath confirmed that new signing Antonio Nocerino should be arriving to camp shortly after completing paper work issues in Italy.
“We’re hoping for Thursday…He’s training every day in Milanello. He feels good, so we might have a pleasant surprise in the conditions he’s in when he gets here.”
City Soccer Talk will be at the closed door friendly against Toronto FC tomorrow afternoon as Orlando City enters the final two weeks until the season opener against Real Salt Lake at the Citrus Bowl.
