Throughout preseason training and scrimmages, Tony Rocha thought he was in a good position.

He got plenty of playing time both in Orlando City’s midfield and on defense, and felt he could seriously compete for a starting role when the 2017 Major League Soccer season began.

That trajectory derailed when he pulled a hamstring in the final preseason match — a scenario all too familiar to some of his teammates.

He’s spent most of the year getting back into form with the club’s United Soccer League side, Orlando City B.

“It’s definitely been a frustrating year for me,” Rocha said. “I worked to get back into full health, and I did. I progressed through OCB, getting minutes there and getting back into the swing of games and everything, got a chance with the first team, played against D.C., get my confidence back and then pulled my hamstring again.

“But, I’m healthy now and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Rocha, 23, played only 17 minutes in that D.C. United game on May 31, but he walked away with an assist, helping Giles Barnes score in the 88th minute of the 2-0 win. Rocha also played three minutes in a 2-1 loss to Toronto earlier in May.

With OCB, he’s recorded six starts for 410 minutes total and is among the team’s leaders in passing accuracy at 85.9 percent. Among field players, only David Loera and Richie Laryea have better passing success rates, but both have far fewer passes per 90 minutes than Rocha.

More than half of OCB’s roster often is comprised of players on loan from Orlando City. During OCB’s most recent match against Tampa Bay on Thursday, six MLS players started. Seven were in the starting XI during the July 8 game against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

Orlando City coach Jason Kreis has made clear how they perform with OCB directly correlates to MLS opportunities, and recently provided an example of that by giving Laryea minutes in three consecutive MLS games after consistent standout performances with OCB.

“The coaching isn’t a downgrade with OCB,” Rocha said. “Us young players are getting better playing in games. I don’t think any of us are taking it as a negative thing going down to OCB. It’s just an opportunity to get minutes.

“Whether I’m with OCB or MLS, I’m just focusing on what I’m doing on the field, and I let the coaching staff work out where I should be.”

Larin gone

Cyle Larin did not attend training Monday morning after Canada called him up for the Gold Cup late Sunday.

Larin will miss Orlando City’s much-anticipated first meeting with expansion side Atlanta United FC, the Lions’ only regional rival, Friday night at 7 at Orlando City Stadium.

The Lions trained in high heat Monday after a few days off. Giles Barnes joined Carlos Rivas up top for a scrimmage at the end of the session, as he has in most sans-Larin matches.

The group stage of the Gold Cup ended Sunday night, with Mexico beating Curacao 2-0 in the final Group C game.

Canada will face Jamaica in a quarterfinal match at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Glendale, Ariz. The United States also advanced and will take on El Salvador at 9 Wednesday night in Philadelphia.

Versatile Redding

Orlando City defender Tommy Redding practiced a bit at right back on Monday.

The Lions’ roster is depleted once again at that position with Rafael Ramos re-injuring his hamstring. Scott Sutter has had the starting role locked down this season, but Kreis will need backup options and previously mentioned the possibility of playing Redding on the right if needed.

Playing Redding at right back with José Aja and Jonathan Spector at centerback would be the least disruptive to the lineup, rather than pulling midfielder Will Johnson back. Johnson filled the right back slot at the beginning of the season before Sutter signed with the club.

ardelgallo@orlandosentinel.com