USL Rochester Rhinos

Rhinos Sign Trio of USL PRO Veterans

January 23, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rochester Rhinos News Release


Rochester, NY - The Rochester Rhinos have agreed to terms with center midfielder Tyler Rosenlund, center back Kyle Hoffer, and goalkeeper Alex Horwath for the 2014 season. The signings are the first three additions that Rhinos head coach Bob Lilley has made to the roster since his return to Rochester in the fall of 2013. Lilley has been charged with re-building the Rhinos in 2014 after Rochester missed the playoffs for the first time in club history last season. All three contracts are pending Federation approval, and personal terms will not be disclosed.

"Our first three signings of the off-season are experienced players in our league who have the potential to help us reach our goal of returning to the playoffs and competing for a championship." Lilley said. "Tyler is a quality two-way midfielder who has been with the club since 2010. Hoffer is a solid piece at center back with three years of experience in our league. He's only 24, but he's already been named to the All-League team and won a championship with Charleston. Horwath is a good keeper who has gained experience in the league over the past two years. He's a good athlete with good technique, and we're excited to have him."

Rosenlund was one of Lilley's initial signings during the coach's first tenure with the Rhinos in 2010. This season Rosenlund will become the 15th player in Rhinos history to play five or more seasons with Rochester. Rosenlund already ranks in the top ten in club history in US. Open Cup starts (tied for tenth), points (tied for 5th), and assists (tied for 7th). Rosenlund was selected as the Rochester Rhinos Most Valuable Player after the 2011 regular season. He has won the 2010 USSF Division II Supporters Shield, and the 2011 USL PRO National Division title during his career with the Rhinos.

Hoffer won the 2012 USL PRO title with the Charleston Battery, and he brings championship experience to the Rhinos roster for the 2014 season. In 2011 he played every minute of every match as a rookie for FC New York, and he went on to be selected to the USL PRO All-League Second Team after the season. Hoffer was the first player signed in club history by VSI Tampa Bay, and he served as the team captain during the 2013 season. The 24 year-old has already made 65 appearances and logged 5,687 minutes in his first three years as a professional.

Horwath is entering his fifth season as a professional and his first season as a Rhino. He originally signed as a reserve with Major League Soccer in 2010 before signing a contract with the New York Red Bulls for the 2011 season. Horwath made his debut in USL PRO with Wilmington during the 2012 season, and he played every minute of every match with the Hammerheads. Horwath played with VSI Tampa Bay during the 2013 season. Former Rhinos goalkeeper Kristian Nicht left the club last fall after posting a 4-10-10 record with a 1.56 goals-against average in 2013.

Rosenlund, Hoffer, and Horwath join returning striker Matt Luzunaris, winger JC Banks, and central midfielder Lance Rozeboom on the Rhinos roster. Luzunaris, a USL PRO All-League Second Team striker who scored nine goals with Orlando City in 2012, is back in Rochester completing rehabilitation on the broken leg that he suffered in the Rhinos home opener against Harrisburg last May. Banks is currently starring for the first place Milwaukee Wave of the MISL as he continues to return to form after reconstructive surgery on his ACL in September 2012. Rozeboom was the Rhinos 2013 Rookie of the Year after he played in 25 matches and logged over 2,000 minutes in cenral midfield as a first year professional.

The Rochester Rhinos held an invitational trial for prospective players at Total Sports Experience in December, and the club is in the process of finalizing contract negotiations with three of the players that they identified. The Rhinos will hold their second professional trial at the Sahlen's Sports Park in February. Lilley will also be visiting New England Revolution training camp in Florida after the USL Combine on the weekend of January 24th. The Rhinos and Revs are entering the second year of their affiliation, and Rochester is anticipating four players on loan from New England for the 2014 season.

Rochester Rhinos season tickets, flex packages and group ticket sales are currently available, and they can be purchased by calling (585)454-KICK (5425), by visiting the MVP Health Care Box Office at Sahlen's Stadium, or by visiting ticketmaster.com.



United Soccer League Championship Stories from January 23, 2014


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.

OurSports Central