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Rocha was not at this level for a long stretch of time, mentally or physically. I feel like I can just be myself on the field and do me." Being fully back, it's such a great feeling. "Honestly, I feel like I'm myself again," the 5-foot-4 defender said. She sent in the corner kick that led to her team's first goal and put a shot on goal as well. Rocha started at outside back and played 69 minutes in K-State's 4-0 win over Oakland last Sunday. It only allows us to have more depth as a unit." It's good to have Aly step in, be positive and be confident at the same time. "We have a lot of depth on our backline this year, which is really good.
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"I think Aly brings composure, brings an understanding of how to play out of the back and gives us a weapon on set pieces," K-State head coach Mike Dibbini said. After playing in only eight matches last season, she has returned to become a legitimate starting option for K-State, off to the first 2-0-0 start in program history with a home match against Drake on Thursday at 7 p.m. Now, two years later, Rocha's more than back on the field. Through her grueling redshirt season filled with bike rides, rehab sessions and observatory practices, however, Rocha reminded herself, "OK, I'm a step closer to getting back on the field." Later in the morning, she would watch her teammates practice and often be hit with waves of sadness that she was not out there doing what she loved. "When it would be like 30 degrees… it was brutal, but it was worth it." "It was not that far," Rocha said of her two-wheeled commute. Instead of asking teammates or friends for an early ride, she hopped on a bike and rode the few blocks from her apartment to rehab. This made getting to her rehabilitation appointments, as early as 5:30 a.m., and the California native's first season away from home, extremely difficult. She also did not have a healthy right knee. “That’s our only goal, that’s all that matters.Aly Rocha did not have a car her first year at K-State in 2016. The Lions failed to score in their first match, then ceded a late game-winner against Colorado.įor the backline, the goal for the tournament is simple - enforcing as many shutouts as possible. “I think he’s been able to get the group together and spread his energy through everyone.”Īlthough the team felt bolstered by its renewed identity in the opening two matches of the season, Orlando City still enters the tournament with areas for improvement. “He knows the game and he knows people, most of all,” Moutinho said. Players like Moutinho said the coach’s ability to communicate - both at a distance and now in person - has helped the team manage the transition from quarantine back to training. Matches are must-win from the start and teams could play as many as seven games in a month.īut Pareja said the team doesn’t need to change up its style to succeed in a tournament. The structure of the MLS tournament will create its own challenges. I’m looking forward to working on that relationship to get even better together.” “He’s a good guy on the field and very good on the ball. “I enjoy playing with him,” Jansson said.

Despite a language barrier, Jansson said communicating with Carlos is beginning to come naturally on the pitch. The pair has spent their initial days of training focused on getting the defense on the same page. Jansson was just starting to build his relationship with new centerback Antonio Carlos at the start of the season. “In the Salt Lake game, I think defensively, we were very cohesive and we were pressing as one, as a block, as a unit,” Moutinho said.īackline discipline typically stems from communication built by the centerbacks. Orlando City allowed only four shots and kept its opponent on its heels, applying heavy pressure up the flanks through the outside backs.Īlthough the Lions failed to score with Dom Dwyer and Nani both sidelined, the defensive unit felt the match was a strong base to build on. The new look for the Lions was noticeable in the team’s first match of the season against Real Salt Lake before the coronavirus shutdown play.
