USL-1 Rochester Rhinos

Rhinos return for 12th season

Published on December 15, 2006 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Rochester Rhinos News Release


(Rochester, NY)... United Soccer Leagues officially announced the alignment for the USL First Division for the 2007 season. The USL, which has grown to 13 clubs, also announced its playoff format. This season, the Carolina RailHawks and California Victory will join the Rochester Raging Rhinos as a member of the USL's top league.

The RailHawks, who are based in Cary, North Carolina, will be led by former Rhinos General Manager Chris Economides and Head Coach Scott Schweitzer, a two-time USL-1 Defender of the Year and three-time champion with the Rhinos. The Victory, whose name is derived from parent club Deportivo Alaves of Vitoria, Spain, are the first USL franchise owned by a foreign club. The team is led by General Manager Terry Fisher, a former USL executive, and Head Coach Glenn Van Straatum. The only additional change in the alignment is the transition of the Toronto Lynx to the Premier Development League.

The USL First Division playoffs will expand to eight teams in 2007 with all eight qualifying clubs playing two-leg aggregate score series in the Quarterfinals the first week after the close of the regular season. The winning clubs from the Quarterfinals will be re-seeded for the Semifinals, also two-leg aggregate score series to determine the two clubs for the USL First Division Championship game to be hosted by one of the two finalists.

Last season, the Rhinos advanced to the First Division Championship Game. During the regular season, Rochester earned a 13-4-11 mark and secured the second seed in the playoffs. The Rhinos advanced to the finals by defeating Charleston in the Semifinals.

USL First Division

Atlanta Silverbacks

California Victory

Carolina RailHawks

Charleston Battery

Miami FC

Minnesota Thunder

Montreal Impact

Portland Timbers

Puerto Rico Islanders

Rochester Raging Rhinos

Seattle Sounders

Vancouver Whitecaps

Virginia Beach Mariners

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USL First Division Stories from December 15, 2006


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