USL Rochester Rhinos

Rhinos Remain Unbeaten with 1:1 Draw in Louisville

April 16, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rochester Rhinos News Release


LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - The Rochester Rhinos played to a one all draw with Louisville City FC in a match between two of the six remaining unbeaten teams in USL at Louisville Slugger Stadium on Thursday, April 16th 2015. Former All-USL selection Matt Fondy opened the scoring for Louisville City FC with a goal in the first half before second-year Rhinos forward Alex Dixon scored the equalizer for the visitors in the second half.

The match was the first of two over the next three days for the Rochester Rhinos, who travel to St. Louis Soccer Park to play Saint Louis FC on Saturday, April 18th. As a result head coach Bob Lilley adjusted his line-up with four new starters to the first 11 that topped FC Montreal 3:0 last Saturday afternoon. University of Michigan product Adam Grinwis earned his first professional start in goal in place of Brandon Miller, while fellow Wolverine Marcos Ugarte replaced Kenardo Forbes at left midfield. Drew Ruggles replaced his Baltimore Blast teammate Onua Thomas Obasi at left back, and Christian Silva paired with Tony Walls in central midfield in place of Michael Garzi.

Louisville opened the scoring in the 38th minute of an evenly played first half between the two teams. The goal was the result of some combination play between Fondy and Louisville City FC midfielder Juan Guzman. Guzman chipped a ball into the Rochester penalty area from 40 yards out for Fondy to run onto. Rhinos center back Grant Van De Casteele was first to arrive at the ball on the right side of the penalty area, but he had some trouble settling the ball on the artificial surface that covered the baseball infield at Louisville Slugger Stadium. Fondy poked the ball away from Van De Casteele and began to dribble into the middle of the penalty area. Fondy drew in the Rochester defense with a couple more touches before he dropped the ball back to the penalty spot to Guzman who had made an attacking run into Rochester's box. Guzman took a touch before calmly finishing past Grinwis. The goal was the first of the year for Guzman while the assist was the first of the year for Fondy.

While Louisville City FC only took three shots to Rochester's four in the first half, they still took a 1:0 lead into the interval. It was the first time that Rochester trailed at the half this season.

Lilley's Rhinos came out of the half with a different demeanor and took control of the match in the second 45 minutes. Rochester took 11 second half shots to Louisville City FC's two. However, the visitors could only convert one of those opportunities with Dixon's equalizer in the 68th minute. The build-up began when Obasi, who entered the match for Ruggles as a second half substitute, won a header in the Louisville City half of the field, settled the second ball, and then switched the ball to Rhinos right midfielder Jonny Mendoza 35 yards out from the home side's goal. Mendoza took a touch before playing a through ball to Dixon down the right side of Louisville City FC's penalty area. Dixon took control of the ball, accelerated to the near post, and then slotted his finish under Louisville City FC goalkeeper Scott Goodwin from eight yards out. The goal was Dixon's second of the season.

With a point to each team Rochester moves to eight points from a 2-0-2 start to the season, and remains in second place in the USL Eastern Conference table - one point behind Charleston Battery who have a match in hand over the Rhinos. Louisville City FC sits in third place with five points from a 1-0-2 start, but they remain three points behind Rochester with a match in hand.

Rochester concludes their five match away run to open the 2015 USL season at St. Louis Soccer Park on Saturday, April 18th 2015 at 8:30PM (EDT). The match can be seen in its entirety live via streaming video on YouTube Live with navigation provided from the USL web page .

After this weekend the Rochester Rhinos will return home to open their 20th season in Rochester with a 2:05PM kickoff at Sahlen's Stadium on Sunday, April 26th 2015 against New York Red Bulls II. Single game tickets to the home opener are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling (585)454-KICK (5425), online via Ticketmaster, or by visiting the MVP Health Care Box Office at Sahlen's Stadium during business hours.

Rochester Rhinos season tickets, flex packages, group sales tickets, and individual match tickets are also currently on sale and can be purchased by calling (585)454-KICK (5425), online via Ticketmaster, or by visiting the MVP Health Care Box Office at Sahlen's Stadium during business hours.



United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 16, 2015


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