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USL-1 Rochester Rhinos

Rhinos Welcome The Impact For Home Opener

May 25, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Rochester Rhinos News Release


(Rochester, NY)... After beginning the season by playing their first eight matches on the road, going 4-3-1, the Rochester Rhinos will make their home debut on Saturday, May 30 when they take on the Montreal Impact at Rhinos Stadium beginning at 7:35 p.m.

Rochester closed out their eight game road stretch with a 2-0 loss at Charleston on Saturday night, but enter the match in third place in the USL-1 standings (13 points), and looking at 13 of their next 16 matches coming at home. Rochester, who trails the Charleston Battery (16 points) and the Carolina RailHawks (19 points) will play just three matches away from home before August 29.

A factor in the Rhinos impressive start on the road has been their offense, receiving ten goals from six different players, including a league-best four goals from their MVP from a year ago, Johnny Menyongar. Defensively, Rochester has allowed more than one goal just twice during that stretch and has compiled two clean sheets.

Montreal, which has begun the season slowly, posting a 1-3-2 mark in their first six games. They are 1-1-1 since Marc Dos Santos replaced John Limniatis as head coach on May 14. Rocco Placentino has been the most impressive Impact player this season, registering a goal and three assists in the early going. Before arriving in Rochester on Saturday, the Impact will play the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship on Wednesday. The tournament which takes place between Montreal, the Vancouver Whitecaps (USL-1) and Toronto FC (MLS) will determine Canada's entrant into the CONCACAF Champions League Tournament.

RHINOS STADIUM TO BE RENAMED

At halftime of Saturday's match Rochester will learn the name of its soccer stadium. Last month the Rhinos unveiled a plan that gave both individual season ticket holders and corporate sponsors an opportunity to name the Rhinos stadium for 2009. Participants had one opportunity to be chosen for every $1000 spent in the form of season tickets or corporate sponsorship. There was no limit to the number of entries for each participant.

RHINOS BRING CIESLINSKI ABOARD

The Rochester Rhinos also announced that they have hired Dave Cieslinski as Vice President of the club. Cieslinksi, returns to the Rhinos after helping kickoff the franchise as a member of the club's original staff in 1996.

Most recently, the Rochester native served as Vice President of Sales and Operations with the Carolina RailHawks during the club's first two seasons. Prior to his stint in Carolina, Cieslinksi has overseen ticket operations with the Rochester Americans, Knighthawks and Rattlers from 1996-2007.

RHINOS TO FACE HARRISBURG IN EXHIBITION MATCH ON TUESDAY

The Rochester Rhinos will take on the Harrisburg City Islanders (USL-2) in an exhibition "friendly" match on Tuesday, May 26 at 7:05 p.m. The Islanders currently lead the second division standings with a 4-1-1 record and 13 points. Former Rhinos Chase Harrision (GK) and Chad Severs (F) play with Harrisburg. Severs, with the Rhinos during the 2006-08 seasons leads the second division with five goals and 11 points. Harrison, who started 18 games for Rochester in 2007, is 3-0-1 with two shutouts for Harrisburg this season.



USL First Division Stories from May 25, 2009


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