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USL Rochester Rhinos

Rochester Playoff Preview

October 5, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rochester Rhinos News Release


ROCHESTER, NY- With the defeat of the Charlotte Independence, the Rochester Rhinos have moved on to the Eastern Conference Semifinals. On Friday, they will continue their journey to defend their 2015 USL Championship. The team will face New York Red Bull II at 7:00 p.m. at Red Bull Arena.

The Rhinos have faced NYRBII three times this season, all three meetings ended in draws. Friday's match will be a test between an offensive powerhouse and a defensive wall. NYRBII reign as the 2016 Regular Season Champions, a title that previously belonged to the Rhinos.

Rochester (10) and New York (11) both enter the pitch with unbeaten streaks. This includes five consecutive wins for Red Bull at their Arena.

NYRBII had a record breaking regular season. New York broke Orlando City SC's previous USL record for league wins (19) by winning 21 out of their 30 games played. They also broke Orlando's previous USL record for goals scored in a season (56) by scoring 61 goals during the season. 15 of those came from the team's leading scorer Brandon Allen.

Rochester almost bested the Red Bulls in their last meeting, but an unfortunate free kick off the foot of Vincent Bezecourt allowed the Bulls to score in the 89th minute. Rochester's defense has allowed in the second fewest goals in the USL all season. A credit due to goal keeper Tomas Gomez who earned the Golden Glove award for a league low .69 GAA.

The Rhinos previously defeated the Charlotte Independence 3-1 in the Eastern Conference Quarter Finals to move on to the next round of the playoffs. Stepping up in the playoff match were goal scorers Wal Fall, Steevan Dos Santos, and Sofiane Tergou.

Asani Samuels is the only Rhinos player to find success against the Red Bulls this season.

In all series, New York has yet to pull out a victory over the Bob Lilley led Rochester team. The teams met in the same post season situation last season at Rhinos Stadium with Rochester continuing on to become USL Champions.



United Soccer League Championship Stories from October 5, 2016


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