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USL Rochester Rhinos

Rhinos Host FC Dallas Friday Night

July 10, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rochester Rhinos News Release


ROCHESTER, NY - The Rochester Rhinos will host FC Dallas Reserves on Friday, July 11th 2014 at 7:35PM in Sahlen's Stadium. FC Dallas Reserves roster will be made up of players under contract with Major League Soccer club FC Dallas as well as players in their US Soccer Development Academy set-up. The result will count in the standings for both teams in their respective leagues. It is the second year that Rochester has hosted an MLS Reserve team in Sahlen's Stadium after MLS and USL PRO announced a groundbreaking player development partnership during the 2013 off-season. Last season the Rhinos played to a 1:1 home draw with the Montreal Impact Reserves.

Rochester will enter Friday night's match in need of three points after dropping their last two contests. The Rhinos lost at home to the Charlotte Eagles 1:0 on Friday, June 28th before traveling to Pittsburgh and losing to the Riverhounds 2:0 on Independence Day. Rochester was shut out in both losses, but actually took more shots than their opponents in both losses.

"From a performance point of view we rebounded in the first half in Pittsburgh from our performance at home in the loss to Charlotte." Rochester Rhinos head coach Bob Lilley said. "We kept the ball, controlled possession, and limited Pittsburgh to one shot on goal in the first half. This week we need to put together that same type of effort for 90 minutes to take three points."

After a 4 - 2 - 5 start to the season, the Rhinos are 2 - 4 - 1 in their last seven matches. Home form has been of particular concern as Rochester only has eight points at home from a 2 - 3 - 2 record, and the Rhinos have only scored six goals in their seven matches in Sahlen's Stadium. Overall Rochester has taken 24 points from their first 18 matches of the season which is good for sixth place in USL PRO. While the team has struggled to score goals, the Rhinos have been buoyed by the third best defensive record in USL PRO with 15 goals conceded in eighteen matches.

"It's fairly simple. We need to find a way to score more goals to win more games and make the playoffs. We have some dynamic attacking players, but we need to do the little things more consistently to be successful. We need to make the runs to get in behind our opponent when we have the opportunity. FC Dallas Reserves will come to Rochester with a good squad on Friday night. They have a talented roster, and a good Academy set-up, so we have to be ready to approach the game with a lot of energy to ultimately be successful."

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