Cristian Higuita was down injured. He had just pulled up outside the Chicago penalty box, without contact, and raised his hand to signal the medical staff. Jason Kreis had a dilemma: experienced center midfielders Antonio Nocerino and Harrison Heath were unavailable. The bench was filled with forwards, wingers, and defenders that would mean changing the shape of the team. That is, except for Tony Rocha, who had barely signed his MLS contract 10 days prior.
Rocha has played some central midfield before — including against the Jacksonville Armada in Orlando City’s first U.S. Open Cup match this season — playing that position and a few others in the midfield at OCB.