USL Rochester Rhinos

Rhinos Regroup for Stretch Run

August 9, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rochester Rhinos News Release


The Rochester Rhinos host Orange County Blues FC in Sahlen's Stadium on Sunday, August 10th 2014 at 6:05PM. The match was originally scheduled to be played on Saturday, August 9th at 7:05PM. The fixture was moved back one day due to 94.1 The Zone's presentation of Scion's Bonzai 2014 music festival in Sahlen's Stadium on the ninth of August.

The Rochester Rhinos will enter Sunday evening's match in the middle of a crowded USL PRO playoff picture. Rochester is currently in fifth place in the table with 31 points from 22 matches. However, just six points separate the Rhinos from ninth place Charleston Battery with six matches left to play. Rochester is joined by Harrisburg City Islanders (30 points), OKC Energy FC (29), Wilmington (26), and Charleston (25) as five teams look to compete for the final four playoff spots in the table. All four teams trailing the Rhinos play on Friday or Saturday night. Rochester could be in seventh place, and only three points ahead of Charleston when they kick off on Sunday. The Rhinos missed the playoffs for the first time in the club's 19 year history last season.

"We got a point last time out against Charleston which kept us in fifth place." Rhinos head coach Bob Lilley said. "Charleston were well organized and tough for us to break down. We played well, but we didn't get the goal. JC (Banks) and (Alex) Dixon have both been missing through injury over the past couple of matches, and Jonny Mendoza missed out against Charleston as well. We've had some guys step in and put in some good performances in their place, but we're hoping to have all of our attacking options available on Sunday against Orange County."

The Rhinos will enter Sunday evening's match with the second best defensive record in USL PRO with 16 goals conceded in 22 matches. Rookie goalkeeper John McCarthy leads the league in goals conceded (7), goals-against average (0.538), and clean sheets with nine. While his 6-2-5 record as a starter is eye catching, Rochester's defense in front of McCarthy has forced him to face only 40 shots (3.08 per game) and make 33 saves (2.54 per game).

Rochester scored four goals in their four matches during the month of July, but first year striker Colin Rolfe was a bright spot in the Rhinos attack. Rolfe scored a goal and added an assist in Rochester's best offensive performance of the season in a 3:0 victory over FC Dallas Reserves in Sahlen's Stadium on July 11th. Rolfe scored the match winning goal in the Rhinos historic upset of Orlando City in Sahlen's Stadium on July 27th. The University of Louisville product now has five goals in all competitions this season, after scoring three goals in Rochester's run to the Fifth Round of the 2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Orange County Blues FC enter Sunday evening's match in tenth place. They probably need to get points out of their match against the Riverhounds in Pittsburgh on Friday night as well as their match in Sahlen's Stadium against the Rhinos on Sunday to leave themselves in realistic position to climb back into the playoff chase. The Blues are only two points behind the Hammerheads for eighth place, but Wilmington has three matches in hand.

Orange County Blues FC have the league's second worst defensive record with 40 goals conceded in 21 matches, but the Blues are capable of scoring goals. Blues striker Alan Russell was signed from Carolina (NASL) to much fanfare during the 2013 off-season, and the Scottish midfielder scored two goals and added four assists last season. This season the 33 year-old already has six goals and four assists for 16 points. He is eighth in USL PRO in points and tenth in goals scored this season. Russel is joined by striker Chris Cortez. Cortez has five goals in 2014 after posting a breakout season with nine goals and three assists for the Blues lat season.

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.



United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 9, 2014


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