
Rhinos Move into Top-4 with 2nd Straight Victory
October 10, 2017 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rochester Rhinos News Release
ROCHESTER, NY - Sometimes one is enough. Jochen Graf's 9th goal of the season came in the 38th minute and Tomas Gomez recorded his 11th clean sheet of the season as the Rhinos would win their penultimate match of the season 1-0 over Bethlehem Steel FC. The win denied the Steel their first-ever playoff berth, while sending the Rhinos into 4th place in the USL Eastern Conference with a 13-7-11 record (50 points). The Rhinos will host a playoff match with a win or a Charlotte Independence loss/draw this Saturday.
The defense did exceptionally well once again, which is very encouraging heading into the playoff season. The back line has given up just one shot on goal in the last two matches combined (1 vs. Bethlehem, 0 vs. Pittsburgh).
The first chance came in the 24th minute, as Kenardo Forbes swung a cross in that bounced inside the box and found Jochen Graf. Graf's shot from 12 yards would get deflected and go just wide of the target.
Just before the half-hour mark, the Rhinos had a big penalty shout go ignored. Jordan Dover got free down the right wing and sent a hard low cross that a defender arguably handled while falling down. Despite the protests of players and fans alike, no call was given.
Five minutes later, Rochester would continue to generate the attack from the right side. Kenardo Forbes put a nice ball across that Wal Fall would flick onto Julian Buescher. He looked in a great position, but his shot was
Rhinos defeat Bethlehem Steel 1-0 on Jochen Graf's 38th-minute goal
ROCHESTER RHINOS 1 BETHLEHEM STEEL FC 0
View this email in your browser
Rochester Rhinos 1 Bethlehem Steel FC 0
ROCHESTER, NY - Sometimes one is enough. Jochen Graf's 9th goal of the season came in the 38th minute and Tomas Gomez recorded his 11th clean sheet of the season as the Rhinos would win their penultimate match of the season 1-0 over Bethlehem Steel FC. The win denied the Steel their first-ever playoff berth, while sending the Rhinos into 4th place in the USL Eastern Conference with a 13-7-11 record (50 points). The Rhinos will host a playoff match with a win or a Charlotte Independence loss/draw this Saturday.
CLICK HERE FOR MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
The defense did exceptionally well once again, which is very encouraging heading into the playoff season. The back line has given up just one shot on goal in the last two matches combined (1 vs. Bethlehem, 0 vs. Pittsburgh).
CLICK HERE FOR USL STANDINGS
The first chance came in the 24th minute, as Kenardo Forbes swung a cross in that bounced inside the box and found Jochen Graf. Graf's shot from 12 yards would get deflected and go just wide of the target.
Just before the half-hour mark, the Rhinos had a big penalty shout go ignored. Jordan Dover got free down the right wing and sent a hard low cross that a defender arguably handled while falling down. Despite the protests of players and fans alike, no call was given.
Five minutes later, Rochester would continue to generate the attack from the right side. Kenardo Forbes put a nice ball across that Wal Fall would flick onto Julian Buescher. He looked in a great position, but his shot was blocked and would go out for a corner.
The Rhinos would open the scoring after a beautiful string of passes. Forbes served in a beautiful cross while Jochen Graf slipped inside his defender and put his header into the far corner. Graf moves into a tie for the team lead with Wal Fall with his 9th goal of the season, while Forbes is currently tied with winger Christiano Francois with 5 assists.
The Rhinos nearly doubled their lead 5 minutes into the second half. Graf got the ball down the end line and picked out Wal Fall at the top of the six-yard box. Fall sent his one-time effort over the crossbar.
Many chances would come and go in a very physical second half, but the Rhinos would be extremely solid in the middle of the field; tackling at a rate of 90%, allowing their opponents very few chances to form an attack.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from October 10, 2017
- Rhinos Move into Top-4 with 2nd Straight Victory - Rochester Rhinos
- USL Cup Playoff Tickets on Sale Wednesday at 12 Noon MT for Real Monarchs SLC "Championship Quest" - Real Monarchs
- New York's Bonomo Named USL Player of the Week - USL
- USL Discipline Report - USL
- San Antonio FC Hosts Portland Timbers 2; Looks to Secure Home - San Antonio FC
- LouCity's Kyle Smith Named to USL Team of the Week - Louisville City FC
- New York's Bonomo Named USL Player of the Week - USL
- USL passes two million attendance, regular season enters final week - USL
- UPDATED: Toros Practice - Rio Grande Valley FC Toros
- USL's Week Ahead: USL Passes 2 Million Attendance, Regular Season Enters Final Week (October 10-15, - USL
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.
Other Recent Rochester Rhinos Stories
- Rhinos Rebrand as Rochester New York FC
- Rochester Rhinos Documentary Series Announced
- Jamie Vardy Announced as Co-Owner of the Rochester Rhinos
- Rochester Rhinos Approved for USL Division III
- US National Team Head Coach and Rochester Native, Dave Sarachan, to Visit Marina Auto Stadium Saturday, July 28

