Barnes promoted, Róchez is waived

Orlando City waived young designated

and promoted versatile player role Friday night.

The club announced months ago Róchez would not be part of the team this season, and there was an ongoing effort to find another option for him.

Róchez, 22, was claimed off waivers by expansion side Atlanta United FC, whose director of soccer operations is former Lions general manager Atlanta claimed him for the league’s reserve minimum salary charge, which is $53,000 this season. Orlando City SC will retain the rest of his 2017 budget charge, which should be $147,000 based on 2017 MLS roster rules designating a $200,000 cap hit for designated players ages 21-23.

The Lions will retain a percentage of any future transfer fee if Atlanta transfers Róchez outside of the league, according to a statement released by Orlando City. Róchez was one of three players Orlando City coach

said at the beginning of February had no future with the club. The others were whose contract was bought out earlier this month, and

whose loan to Honduran club Real España should be made official shortly.

Róchez scored 20 goals for Real España prior to joining Orlando as a discovery signing for the club’s inaugural MLS season. However, his 2015 was marred by fitness and passport issues. He scored three goals in 16 substitute appearances for the Lions that year. Róchez suffered a preseason injury last year before he was loaned to Orlando City B and eventually sent back to Real España on a six-month loan. He returned to Orlando during the MLS winter offseason.

Barnes, a Jamaican national team striker, joined the Lions from Vancouver via trade two weeks ago. He made the game-winning assist, crossing the ball to with his first touch as a Lion after replacing an injured Kaká in the season opener against NYCFC.

He was expected to start in the left midfield for Orlando City’s home match Saturday night against the Philadelphia Union.

Barnes’ reported guaranteed salary last season was $756,250, meaning the club either had to use a designated player slot on him or buy his salary down below the maximum budget charge of $480,625. player to a designated