Eager to return, Rochez is hoping to blossom with Atlanta United

Though he really never left MLS, Bryan Rochez’s trade from Orlando City to Atlanta United has given him a new opportunity to prove he can be a good player and can score goals.

“That’s why I come here, to work hard to demonstrate that I can play in this league, that I’m a good player and a good striker, too,” he said.

Rochez, 22, was signed by Orlando City before the 2015 season as one of the league’s youngest-ever Designated Players after he scored 30 goals in 62 appearances for Real Espana in his native Honduras.

He did OK as a rookie, scoring three goals in 16 appearances. Then things took a turn. He sustained an injury to his right leg while with the Honduran national team, which held him back with Orlando City in 2016. He was sent to Orlando City B in the USL at the start of the season. He said by the time he regained fitness, Orlando City fired manager Adrian Heath and hired Jason Kreis.

Rochez was loaned to Real Espana for the rest of the season, never having played a minute for Orlando City. He scored six goals for Espana.

Rochez said his agent met with Kreis, who told him Orlando City didn’t see Rochez having a future with the club. Rochez said he respects the decision, but he still wanted to play. So began the wait. Atlanta United became the destination, announcing last week that it had acquired Rochez on a waiver claim.

“I’ve been waiting for this for a long time to give me this opportunity,” he said.

Rochez watched the second half of Atlanta United’s 6-1 win at Minnesota on March 12 and Saturday’s 4-0 win over Chicago.

“The team is good,” he said. “They move the ball quickly from one way to the other way. They look for the strikers to create opportunities to score.”

Rochez trained with the expansion side for the first time Thursday. He said he’s not yet fit. He expects it will take him at least two weeks. He knows teammates Harrison Heath and Mikey Ambrose from when they were with Orlando City.

Once ready, Rochez said he’s comfortable operating as a single striker, which is what manager Gerardo Martino said he will play in his system.

“I like to have the opportunity to score,” he said. “That’s me. A No. 9.”

MARTIN HUNTER / GETTY IMAGES 2015 Bryan Rochez, playing for the Honduran national team, controls the ball to score a goal during a match against Uzbekistan in 2015. He hurt his leg while with the Honduran team.