{{short description|Belizean footballer (born 1993)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}} <!-- {{Use Belizean English}} --> {{Infobox football biography | name = Tony Rocha | image = CINvOCB 2017-05-13 - Tony Rocha (34494682032) (cropped).jpg | caption = Rocha playing for Orlando City in 2017 | fullname = Antonio Rocha | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|8|21|df=y}} | birth_place = Spring, Texas, U.S. | height = 1.75m | position = Midfielder | currentclub = | clubnumber = | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = | collegeyears1 = 2011–2014 | college1 = Tulsa Golden Hurricane | collegecaps1 = 76 | collegegoals1 = 7 | years1 = 2012–2013 | clubs1 = Austin Aztex | caps1 = 7 | goals1 = 3 | years2 = 2014 | clubs2 = Tulsa Athletic | caps2 = 4 | goals2 = 2 | years3 = 2015 | clubs3 = Austin Aztex | caps3 = 25 | goals3 = 1 | years4 = 2016 | clubs4 = Orlando City B | caps4 = 19 | goals4 = 1 | years5 = 2016–2018 | clubs5 = Orlando City | caps5 = 23 | goals5 = 0 | years6 = 2017 | clubs6 = → Orlando City B | caps6 = 14 | goals6 = 0 | years7 = 2018 | clubs7 = → Saint Louis FC (loan) | caps7 = 2 | goals7 = 0 | years8 = 2019–2021 | clubs8 = New York City | caps8 = 33 | goals8 = 1 | years9 = 2022 | clubs9 = Orange County SC | caps9 = 20 | goals9 = 0 | nationalyears1 = 2019–2022 | nationalteam1 = Belize | nationalcaps1 = 4 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | medaltemplates = | pcupdate = 14:43, 23 October 2022 (UTC) | ntupdate = 03:14, 3 June 2022 (UTC) }} '''Antonio Rocha''' (born 21 August 1993) is a former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Born in the United States, he represented Belize at international level.
==Early life== Rocha played college soccer at the University of Tulsa from 2011 to 2014. For the 2011 season, Rocha was named as the Conference USA Men's Soccer Freshman of the Year.<ref name="tulsahurricane.com">{{cite web|url=https://tulsahurricane.com/news/2011/11/8/Tony_Rocha_Named_C_USA_Men_s_Soccer_Freshman_of_the_Year.aspx?path=msoc|title=Tony Rocha Named C-USA Men's Soccer Freshman of the Year – University of Tulsa|website=University of Tulsa}}</ref> He was selected to the All-Conference USA Third-Team in 2011, 2012, and 2013.<ref name="tulsahurricane.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tulsahurricane.com/news/2012/11/6/Cristian_Mata_Named_as_C_USA_Men_s_Soccer_Freshman_of_the_Year.aspx?path=msoc|title=Cristian Mata Named as C-USA Men's Soccer Freshman of the Year – University of Tulsa|website=University of Tulsa}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tulsahurricane.com/news/2013/11/12/Five_Tulsa_Men_s_Soccer_Players_Named_to_All_Conference_USA_Teams.aspx?path=msoc|title=Five Tulsa Men's Soccer Players Named to All-Conference USA Teams – University of Tulsa|website=University of Tulsa}}</ref> In 2014, Rocha was a captain of the University of Tulsa men's soccer team and helped lead the team to a conference championship.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tony Rocha - Men's Soccer - University of Tulsa Athletics |url=https://tulsahurricane.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/tony-rocha/2354 |website=Tulsa Hurricane}}</ref> Rocha was named to the All-Tournament Team for the 2014 American Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tulsahurricane.com/news/2014/11/16/Tulsa_Men_s_Soccer_Team_Claims_The_American_Championship_on_Penalty_Kicks.aspx?path=msoc|title=Tulsa Men's Soccer Team Claims The American Championship on Penalty Kicks – University of Tulsa|website=University of Tulsa}}</ref> ==Club career== ===Sporting Kansas City=== Rocha was selected by Sporting Kansas City in the fourth round of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tulsahurricane.com/news/2015/1/20/Tulsa_s_Tony_Rocha_Selected_in_MLS_SuperDraft_by_Sporting_KC.aspx?path=msoc|title=Tulsa's Tony Rocha Selected in MLS SuperDraft by Sporting KC – University of Tulsa|website=University of Tulsa}}</ref> They cut him prior to the start of the season. ===Austin Aztex=== On 9 March 2015, Rocha signed with Austin Aztex for the 2015 USL season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://austinaztex.com/tony-rocha-returns-to-austin-aztex/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180508192124/http://austinaztex.com/tony-rocha-returns-to-austin-aztex/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=8 May 2018|title=Tony Rocha Returns To Austin Aztex – Austin Aztex|website=austinaztex.com}}</ref> This would be the team's final season before dissolving and Rocha was forced to find a new club. ===Orlando City B=== On 15 October 2015, Rocha became one of the first three players to sign with newly formed USL team Orlando City B along with Mikey Ambrose and Kyle Callan-McFadden.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2015/10/15/orlando-city-announces-orlando-city-b-signs-defenders-mikey-ambrose-kyle-callan|title=Orlando City Announces Orlando City B, Signs Defenders Mikey Ambrose, Kyle Callan-McFadden, Midfielder Tony Rocha|date=October 15, 2015}}</ref> ===Orlando City=== ====2016: Debut season==== Rocha signed a short-term agreement with Orlando City on 15 June 2016 for a 2016 U.S. Open Cup match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2016/06/15/orlando-city-sc-signs-tony-rocha-short-term-agreement|title=Orlando City SC Signs Tony Rocha to Short Term Agreement|date=June 15, 2016}}</ref>
On 3 August 2016, Orlando City acquired Rocha's MLS rights from Sporting Kansas City in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2016/08/03/orlando-city-acquires-rights-ocb-midfielder-tony-rocha-sporting-kansas-city|title=Orlando City Acquires Rights to OCB Midfielder Tony Rocha From Sporting Kansas City|date=August 3, 2016}}</ref> and he was signed to an MLS contract the day after. ====2018: Loan to Saint Louis FC and departure==== Rocha was loaned to Saint Louis FC on 6 April 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.orlandocitysc.com/post/2018/04/06/orlando-city-sc-loans-tony-rocha-saint-louis-fc|title=Orlando City SC Loans Tony Rocha to Saint Louis FC|date=April 6, 2018}}</ref> He returned to Orlando a week later having played twice. At the end of the season the club announced they had not picked up his contract option.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/orlando-city-sc/orlando-city-2018-contract-options/|title=Orlando City declines options for eight players after tough 2018 season {{!}} Pro Soccer USA|website=www.prosoccerusa.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-28|archive-date=28 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128075148/https://www.prosoccerusa.com/mls/orlando-city-sc/orlando-city-2018-contract-options/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
===New York City FC=== On 12 December 2018, Rocha had his rights acquired by New York City FC in exchange for a 2019 MLS SuperDraft fourth round pick.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nycfc.com/post/2018/12/12/new-york-city-fc-acquires-midfielder-tony-rocha|title=New York City FC Acquires Midfielder Tony Rocha | New York City FC}}</ref> Rocha scored his first and only goal for the club on 25 October 2020 in a 3–1 win over Montreal Impact.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/video/goal-tony-rocha-nycfc-86th-minute-6204454135001|title=GOAL Tony Rocha, NYCFC - 86th minute|work=MLSsoccer.com|date=25 October 2020|accessdate=15 January 2025}}</ref> Following the 2021 season, New York City opted to decline their contract option on Rocha.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nycfc.com/news/new-york-city-fc-announces-roster-moves-for-2022|title=New York City FC Announces Roster Moves For 2022|first=New York City|last=FC|website=New York City FC}}</ref> ===Orange County SC=== On 18 February 2022, Rocha signed with USL Championship side Orange County SC.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/1210431 | title=Orange County Inks Veteran Midfielder Tony Rocha | date=18 February 2022 }}</ref>
==International career== ===Belize=== ====2019: Debut and CONCACAF Nations League==== In September 2019, Rocha was called into Belize for its CONCACAF Nations League matches against French Guiana and Grenada.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nycfc.com/post/2019/08/29/internationals-seven-players-called-september |title=Internationals - Seven Players Called Up in September |accessdate=4 September 2019|publisher=New York City FC}}</ref> He made his international debut on 8 September 2019 in Belize's 2–1 loss to Grenada.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.concacafnationsleague.com/en/nations-league/game-detail/476605#tab_match=match-details|title=Game Detail|website=www.concacafnationsleague.com}}</ref> ====2022: Return==== On 2 June 2022, Rocha returned to Belize for the 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League. He would play in the first match of Group B against the Dominican Republic, in which would end in a 2–0 defeat. This was Rocha's final game for the team.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.concacaf.com/nations-league/news/lopez-romero-goals-earn-dominican-republic-win-at-belize/|title=Lopez, Romero goals earn Dominican Republic win at Belize|work=Concacaf|date=3 June 2022|accessdate=5 June 2025}}</ref>
==Career statistics== ===Club=== {{updated|match played 21 November 2020}}<ref>{{Soccerway|tony-rocha/296883|access-date=10 February 2021}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|Domestic Cup !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |Austin Aztex |2012<ref>{{Cite web|title=Tony Rocha {{!}} SoccerStats.us|url=http://soccerstats.us/bios/tony-rocha/|access-date=10 February 2021|website=soccerstats.us}}</ref> |PDL |7||3||0||0|| colspan="2" |–|| colspan="2" |–||7||3 |- |Tulsa Athletic |2014 |NPSL |4||2|| colspan="2" |–|| colspan="2" |–|| colspan="2" |–||4||2 |- | rowspan="2" |Austin Aztex |2015 |USL |25||1||1||0|| colspan="2" |–|| colspan="2" |–||26||1 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !32!!4!!1!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!33!!4 |- | rowspan="4" |Orlando City |2016 | rowspan="3" |MLS |8 |0 |2 |0 | colspan="2" |– | colspan="2" |– |10 |0 |- |2017 |3||0||0 |0|| colspan="2" |–|| colspan="2" |–||3||0 |- |2018 |12 |0 |1 |0 | colspan="2" |– | colspan="2" |– |13 |0 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !23!!0!!3!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!26!!0 |- | rowspan="3" |Orlando City B |2016 | rowspan="2" |USL |19 |1 | colspan="2" |– | colspan="2" |– | colspan="2" |– |19 |1 |- |2017 |14 |0 | colspan="2" |– | colspan="2" |– | colspan="2" |– |14 |0 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !33 !1 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !0 !33 !1 |- |Saint Louis FC (loan) |2018 |USL |2 |0 | colspan="2" |– | colspan="2" |– | colspan="2" |– |2 |0 |- | rowspan="3" |New York City |2019 | rowspan="2" |MLS |17||1||1||0|| colspan="2" |–||0 |0||18||1 |- |2020 |11||0|| colspan="2" |–||1{{efn|Appearance(s) in CONCACAF Champions League}} |0||1{{efn|Appearance(s) in MLS Cup Playoffs}} |0||13||0 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !28!!1!!1!!0!!1!!0!!1!!0!!31!!1 |- ! colspan="3" |Career total !122!!8!!5!!0!!1!!0!!1!!0!!129!!8 |}
{{Notelist}}
=== International === {{updated|match played 3 June 2022}}<ref>{{Cite web|last=Strack-Zimmermann|first=Benjamin|title=Tony Rocha|url=http://www.national-football-teams.com/player/75450/Tony_Rocha.html|access-date=10 February 2021|website=www.national-football-teams.com}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by national team and year |- !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals |- |Belize |2019||3||0 |- |2022||1||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total!!4!!0 |}
==Honors== '''New York City FC''' *MLS Cup: 2021<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.mlssoccer.com/competitions/mls-cup-playoffs/2021/matches/porvsnyc-12-11-2021/lineups |title=2021 MLS Cup |publisher=mlssoccer.com |access-date=6 July 2022 |archive-date=6 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706111837/https://www.mlssoccer.com/competitions/mls-cup-playoffs/2021/matches/porvsnyc-12-11-2021/lineups |url-status=dead }}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.tulsahurricane.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2354 Tulsa Golden Hurricane bio] * {{soccerway|tony-rocha/296883}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Rocha, Tony}} Category:1993 births Category:Living people Category:Naturalized citizens of Belize<!-- Category:Citizens of Belize through descent --> Category:Belizean men's footballers Category:Belize men's international footballers Category:American men's soccer players Category:American people of Belizean descent Category:Sportspeople of Belizean descent Category:Tulsa Golden Hurricane men's soccer players Category:Austin Aztex players Category:Orlando City B players Category:Orlando City SC players Category:Saint Louis FC players Category:New York City FC players Category:Orange County SC players Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Sporting Kansas City draft picks Category:USL League Two players Category:National Premier Soccer League players Category:USL Championship players Category:Major League Soccer players Category:Sportspeople from Spring, Texas Category:Soccer players from Harris County, Texas Category:21st-century American sportsmen