NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



 Rochester Rhinos

Rhinos Playoff Push Comes Down to Last Match

September 6, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rochester Rhinos News Release


ROCHESTER, NY - The Rochester Rhinos host the Wilmington Hammerheads in the 2014 USL PRO regular season finale in Sahlen's Stadium on Sunday, September 7th at 4:05PM. Six teams, including the Hammerheads, have already qualified for the USL PRO playoff tournament that begins next weekend. The Rhinos are currently seventh in the USL PRO table as two spots remain in the playoff bracket with two days left to play in the regular season.

Rochester has a number of different scenarios that will allow them to qualify for the 2014 USL PRO playoffs. The Rhinos could still finish as high as sixth in the table, or fail to qualify for the post season for the second consecutive season. A Rochester victory over Wilmington would leave both teams level on 38 points, and send the Rhinos into sixth place based on the second tiebreaker - most wins. The first tiebreaker, the head-to-head series between the two teams, would be level with each club taking four points in three meetings this season.

One point would guarantee Rochester at least the eighth seed. The Rhinos could still finish seventh with a draw depending on the outcome of Harrisburg City Islanders visit to Charlotte Eagles on Saturday, September 6th. City currently sits in eighth place on 34 points

Even a Rochester loss on Sunday would not necessarily end the Rhinos season depending on Saturday night's results. Pittsburgh hosts Arizona United SC on Saturday in Highmark Stadium, and the Riverhounds must win that match in order to stay in playoff contention with 35 points. Pittsburgh owns the head-to-head series over Rochester this season. However, a Riverhounds win, a Rhinos loss, and an Islanders tie would leave all three teams level on 35 points, and the USL PRO tie-breaking system would be required to determine the final two playoff teams from the three way tie.

Rochester will know the results that they need from Sunday's match to qualify for the playoffs at kickoff.

"You can really make your head spin thinking about all of the different ways that this season can still end." Rhinos head coach Bob Lilley said. "From a fan's perspective the season is coming to an exciting conclusion with so many teams left in contention. From our point of view it's come down to our match with Wilmington - that's our sole focus this weekend."

Rochester put itself in a strong position entering the final weekend of the season after the Rhinos defeated host Harrisburg City Islanders 4:1 on Saturday, August 31 st 2014 at Skyline Sports Complex. JC Banks opened the scoring for the visitors in the first minute when his shot deflected off of an Islanders defender and past Harrisburg goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre. The goal was officially tallied as an own goal. City drew level in the 23 rd minute when Morgan Langley finished an assist from Yann Ekra. New England Revs loanee Alec Sundly scored what would ultimately prove to be the game winning goal off of an assist from Rochester's Tony Walls in the 48 th minute. Banks doubled the visitors advantage with a goal in the 66 th minute, and Rhinos center back Babacar Diallo put the result out of reach with Rochester's season high fourth goal of the match in the 86 th minute. Banks tally was his team leading ninth goal of the season. He is currently eighth in USL PRO in goals scored and tenth in points with 20.

Wilmington has played itself back into the playoff picture by taking 12 points from seven matches over the last two and-a-half weeks. 23 year-old Hammerheads forward Sunny Jane has scored five goals and three assists over the seven match stretch to lead Wilmington's rejuvenated attack. 19 year-old Toronto FC Academy product Marc-Anthony Kaye picked up where fellow TFC loanee Jordan Hamilton (five goals - two assists) left off with two goals and two assists over the Hammerheads 3 - 1 - 3 run of form. Wilmington will enter Sahlen's Stadium with USL PRO's fourth best road record behind the top three teams in the table, and the Hammerheads have already defeated Dayton Dutch Lions 4:0 on this weekend's two match road trip.

The seventh place Rhinos play their last match of the 2014 regular season on Sunday, September 7th 2014 at 4:05PM against Wilmington Hammerheads in Sahlen's Stadium. Rochester will train at Sahlen's Stadium on Wednesday, September 3rd, Friday, September 5th and Saturday, September 6th at 10AM. Tickets for any match on the Rhinos home schedule will be available by by calling (585)454-KICK (5425), by visiting the MVP Health Care Box Office at Sahlen's Stadium, or by visiting ticketmaster.com. Rochester Rhinos season tickets, flex packages and group ticket sales are also currently available.

Rochester Rhinos season ticket packages are currently on sale for the 2015 season. Highlights of the 2015 season ticket package include free tickets to preliminary rounds of the 2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and anticipated 14 game USL PRO regular season ticket package, and admission to the Rochester Raging Rhinos 20 th Anniversary Legends Game. If full payment is received by November 1 st patrons will receive a free Rhinos "white jersey" with the purchase of two club or premium season tickets. Orders can be processed beginning on September 3 rd at 9AM through the following link https://www.formstack.com/forms/?1574997-RdwYjiOEub

• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board...

United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 6, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central