USL Rochester Rhinos

Big Match for Rhinos Playoff Hopes on Saturday Night

August 22, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rochester Rhinos News Release


ROCHESTER, NY - The seventh place Rochester Rhinos host the fifth place Harrisburg City Islanders in Sahlen's Stadium on Saturday, August 23 rd 2014 at 7:05PM. The Rochester Rhinos currently have 31 points from 25 matches played, and they sit one point above eighth place Charlotte for the final playoff spot in the 2014 USL PRO table. The Rhinos opponent, Harrisburg, sits two points in front of their hosts with 33 points from 24 matches.

Rochester was consistently in the top five in the table since they defeated the Charleston Battery in the Rhinos home opener on April 27 th . However, a winless month of August (0-3-1) has seen Rochester slip down the standings into the race for the final playoff spot. As the Rhinos prepare for their 26 th match of the season there are currently six teams within three points either way of Charlotte. (Harrisburg, Charleston (32), Rochester, Charlotte, OKC Energy FC (29), Orange County Blues FC (27), and Arizona United SC (27)). Wilmington is just outside of the three point mark, but the Hammerheads have only played 21 matches of their 28 match schedule.

"We have been inconsistent at times this season." Rhinos head coach Bob Lilley said. "We had some opportunities against Charleston and Orange County earlier this month that didn't work out for us. That can happen from time to time with young teams. At the same time we've also performed well at home in big games. We knocked DC United (MLS) out of the (Lamar Hunt) U.S. Open Cup in May. We were the first team to give a loss to Orlando City here in July. There's not much that we can do with the opportunities we had in the past, but we still have nine points to play for in a crowded playoff race."

Rochester has fueled their playoff chase with one of the best defensive teams in USL PRO this season, but the Rhinos have had their share of struggles on the offensive end. Rochester is tied for second in goals conceded with 22 in 25 league matches. The Rhinos are also tied for the best home defensive record in USL PRO with only eight goals conceded in ten matches in Sahlen's Stadium. However, Rochester is last in the USL PRO in goals scored and 13 th in home goals scored. Fourth year Rhinos midfielder JC Banks leads Rochester in scoring with seven goals and two assists for 16 points - good for 13 th in USL PRO. While the Rhinos have ten players who have scored a goal this season, only five players have scored multiple goals, and Alex Dixon is second on the scoring list with three goals and two assists.

"We had some work to do after the game with Orange County, and we've improved in training over the past two weeks. We have established a very good idea of what we're trying to do both in the attack and defensively. Now it's just a matter of executing in a big match on Saturday."

The Harrisburg City Islanders have climbed back into the playoff race with a 6-2-2 run of form in July and August after their 3-7-4 start to the season. While Harrisburg has won four out of their last five matches, their two road victories both came in Dayton where the Dutch Lions are winless in 2014.

City is in their usual attacking form with 37 goals in 24 matches - the fifth best total in USL PRO. Last season the Islanders attack was led by All-USL PRO selections Sainey Touray (11 goals, six assists) and Lucky Mkosana (13 goals). With both Touray and Mkosana gone this season, the scoring burden has been turned over to Harrisburg veteran Morgan Langley who has five goals and six assists. Langley is supported in the attack by Akron product Robbie Derschang (six goals) and a pair of loanees from City's MLS affiliate Philadelphia Union - James McLaughlin (five goals, three assists) and Brazilian Pedro Ribeiro (four goals, two assists). The 25 year-old Langley's participation on Saturday night is in question due to injury.

Harrisburg goalkeeper Nicholas Noble, a 2014 All-USL PRO Second Team selection, anchors the Islander's defense. Noble enters Saturday night's match with a 9-8-5 record on the season, a 1.526 goals-against average, and four clean sheets.

"We have three games left. Our stretch runs starts on Saturday against Harrisburg. We have to find a way." Lilley said.

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.



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