USL Rochester Rhinos

Rhinos Visit Richmond Friday Night

May 1, 2014 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rochester Rhinos News Release


The Rochester Rhinos will be taking on the Richmond Kickers this Friday, May 2nd at 7pm in Richmond, Virginia at City Stadium. The match can be seen in its entirety live via streaming video on YouTube.

Rochester is unbeaten in their last three matches. After losing the first game of the season to the defending USL PRO champion Orlando City Lions 3:1 on April 5th, they have since tied Dayton 1:1 on April 11th, and then had two consecutive shutout victories. The first clean sheet was a 2:0 victory against the Chicago Fire Reserves on April 21st, and the second was a 1:0 victory against the Charleston Battery on April 27th.

Rhinos fourth-year midfielder JC Banks has scored three goals in the first four matches of 2014. Banks is third (tied) in the league in points and second (tied) in the league for goals scored. Before Banks injured his ACL in August 2012, he scored five goals and added eight assists during the 2012 USL PRO season. Banks has previously been named the 2011 Rhinos Rookie of the Year, 2012 Rhinos MVP, 2012 First Team All-USL PRO selection, and 2012 USL PRO Assist leader. Banks left Charleston Battery head coach Mike Anhaeuser impressed after the Rhinos victory in the club's home opener on April 27th.

"Two years ago there were times where he seemed unstoppable playing out on the wing. Now he's playing as a striker and did his job in creating a couple of chances, and scoring a goal. There really didn't seem to be much between the two teams other than his goal, but he's really on a roll right now." Anhaeuser said of Banks after the match.

Rhinos goalkeeper John McCarthy has had two clean sheets after starting in the past two games. McCarthy has been instrumental in the team's shutouts. In Chicago, he registered five saves on seven shots and a gainst Charleston, he had two saves on 11 shots. McCarthy is a rookie who became the youngest goalkeeper in club history to start a match and earn a shutout in Chicago on April 21 st . The 21 year-old was a standout with LaSalle University before signing with the Rhinos during the off-season.

"We're in a situation where we have two quality young goalkeepers in Rochester this year." Rhinos head coach Bob Lilley said. "Louie is on loan from New England and started the first two matches of the year for us, and now John has played in the last two. Both goalkeepers are progressing and improving, and I would anticipate both players getting a start in our back-to-back matches this weekend."

The Richmond Kickers are currently 2-1-2 after five games. They are coming off of a big 5-1 road victory over the Dayton Dutch Lions this past Saturday, April 26th. Reigning USL PRO Coach of the Year Leigh Cowlishaw has the league's second best scoring record with 13 goals, and George Davis IV (3G-1A) and Matthew Delicate (3G) are among USL PRO's top three in scoring. The Kickers are the defending USL PRO regular season champions, and have joined Orlando City and Charleston as USL PRO's most dominant teams since the league was established in 2011. Richmond began their season with a draw against Charleston, a win over Pittsburgh, a loss to Charlotte, and a draw against Pittsburgh.

"I've had a chance to watch Richmond on tape and they look like a very dynamic team." Lilley said. "They have a lot of moving pieces and weapons that can hurt you if you aren't careful. We're improving defensively, but they are going to be a good, good test for this team."

The Rhinos are currently 2-1-1, and in fifth place in the USL PRO table. This will be the first meeting this season between the two teams. The match, along with all of the Richmond Kickers home matches, can be seen by following this link.

The Rochester Rhinos next home match is on Saturday, May 10th at 7PM against the defending USL PRO Champion Orlando City.

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.



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