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USL Rochester Rhinos

Rochester Hosts NY Red Bulls II Saturday Night

September 18, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rochester Rhinos News Release


ROCHESTER, NY - The Rochester Rhinos host New York Red Bulls II in Sahlen's Stadium on Saturday, September 18th, 2015 at 7:05PM in their second-to-last match of their 2015 USL Regular Season schedule. The Rhinos have already secured the Regular Season Championship, and number one seed in the 2015 Eastern Conference Playoffs. New York Red Bulls II have already secured a birth in the playoffs, but their seeding will be determined by Saturday night's results.

While the Rochester Rhinos playoff seeding is secure, the 20th edition of the club still has several milestones that they are chasing in their final two matches. The Rhinos have not lost a match in Sahlen's Stadium this season, and are now unbeaten in their last six matches after suffering their only loss of the season on August 1st in Charlotte. After conceding a single goal in a 1:1 draw with Pittsburgh in their last match out on Wednesday, September 16th, Rochester has now allowed 13 goals in 26 league matches this season. The club record for goals allowed in a season is 15 in the 1998 championship season. Steevan Humberto Fortes dos Santos and Christian Volesky are the Rhinos co-leaders in goals scored with eight. The last Rochester player to score ten or more goals in a season was Jonny Menyongar with 11 goals in 2009.

"Right now our focus is on our consistency - on playing well." Rhinos head coach Bob Lilley said. "We've played our way into a good position, and we're taking advantage of it. We're getting guys healthy again which will be a huge bonus for us heading into the playoffs."

New York Red Bulls II enter Saturday night's match in Rochester in fourth place in the USL Eastern Conference table with 42 points after 27 matches from a 12-9-6 record. Red Bulls II have been among the best attacking teams in the Eastern Conference with 44 goals scored. Chris Tsonis (five goals - three assists), Marius Obekop (five goals - two assists), acclaimed rookie Leo Stolz (four goals - two assists), and Dan Bedoya (three goals - four assists) are Red Bulls II four attacking talents with ten or more points. While New York ranks fourth in the Eastern Conference in goals, they only have a plus two goal differential after conceding 42 goals in league play. They have been out shot by their opponents, and have allowed their opponents to put more shots on goal than they have.

"All of the MLS clubs in our league have the chance to put quality teams on the field every time that they play." Lilley said. "Red Bulls II had a four match unbeaten run over the past month or so that was finally broken up when they lost last week in Montreal. They have one of the best set-ups in Major League Soccer from their Academy through their First Team, and it's going to be a good game on Saturday night."

While the playoff race will be playing out on the periphery in Sahlen's Stadium on Saturday night as New York Red Bulls II look to protect their seeding in the Eastern Conference playoffs, there are two matches with huge playoff implications on the fixture list. Third place Charleston Battery are hosting Charlotte Independence who currently hold the sixth and final spot in the USL Eastern Conference. Charlotte is on 40 points - one point behind idle fifth place Richmond Kickers, one point ahead of seventh place Harrisburg City Islanders, and two points ahead of eighth place Pittsburgh Riverhounds. The Riverhounds travel to Skyline Stadium to play the City Islanders in their final match of the 2015 USL Regular Season. Only two out of four teams - Richmond, Charlotte, Harrisburg, and Pittsburgh - will qualify for the playoffs.

The Rhinos next match is in Rochester against New York Red Bulls II on Saturday, September 19th 2015 at 7:05PM in Sahlen's Stadium. Single game tickets to the match 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 playoff tickets, flex packages, and group sales 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.

The Rochester Rhinos postponed match with Toronto FC II has been rescheduled for Thursday, September 24th 2015 at 7PM where the Rhinos will be formally crowned the 2015 USL Regular Season Champions with a trophy presentation.



United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 18, 2015


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.

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