USL Rochester Rhinos

Rhinos Match Recap

Published on September 10, 2016 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rochester Rhinos News Release


ROCHESTER, NY- A hot ninety degree day at Rochester Rhinos Stadium welcomed the New York Red Bulls II to the pitch. This would be the third meeting of the teams this season, their first two ending in 0-0 draws. A late goal in the 89th minute of play finished the third in the same fashion, with one point for each side.

The Rochester Rhinos started out with early attacking leads with Bradley Kamdem controlling the sideline. Both teams had equal scoring opportunities in the first half, and both struggled to capitalize. Missed headers by Dos Santos and Farrell haunted the Rhinos, while Vasilis took the lead in fending off the Red Bulls II attack.

The teams ended a physical first half stuck in a 0-0 draw yet again, the frustration showing for both teams.

The Rhinos entered the second half with more intensity than the first. They had more opportunities to strike first against the NYRB|| but continued to come up short. Guilavogui and Tergou connected early on for some chances, but couldn't finish. In the 58' Asani Samuels came in for Guilavogui and broke the deadlock scoring his first goal of the year in his first thirty seconds on the pitch.

Samuels and Dos Santos worked together with a give and go to beat the NYRBII defense and put the Rhinos ahead 1-0. The goal ended the NYRBII streak of 687 minutes without trailing in USL play and was Samuels first of the USL season. He had previously scored a hat trick during the U.S Open Cup against Southie FC.

After Samuels goal the intensity picked up by both teams with fouls escalating on both sides. A physical match continued with 33 fouls committed total by both sides.

In the 88', NYRBII's Najem was brought down 25 yards out. The Rhinos wall wasn't enough to stop a free kick goal by Bezecourt that sailed into the upper left corner untouched. "It's frustrating not just this game, but the last few because there have been late goals. I'm sure if it is the combination of unluckiness or not closing out the game correctly. The frustration level is high." Captain Mike Garzi expressed his frustrations. "We know we are the better team compared to anyone but it's disappointing to look at the standings"

The Rhinos leading scorer Christian Volesky entered the match in the final minutes, hoping to finish for his team and stretch his two game goal streak to three. Unfortunately for the Rhinos only two minutes of stoppage time was added and the whistle blew with the match ending in a 1-1 draw.

"The positives are we aren't losing games and we are tying. Getting a 2-1 win last week was big, and if that means we need to play extra hard to get that again we will." said Rhinos keeper Tomas Gomez post game.

With the point, the New York Red Bulls II broke the record for most points in the season with 63, breaking Orlando City SC record of 62 that was set back in 2014.

The Rhinos advance to 11-5-12 on the season with 45 points. The team is 8-2-4 at home with their final match at Rochester Rhinos Stadium coming on September 24.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 10, 2016


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