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USL Rochester Rhinos

Rochester Travels to Richmond Saturday Night

September 4, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rochester Rhinos News Release


ROCHESTER, NY - The Rochester Rhinos visit City Stadium for their match with the Richmond Kickers on Saturday, September 5th, 2015 with kickoff scheduled for 7:05PM. The Rhinos will enter the match in first place in USL Eastern Conference, while the Richmond Kickers will enter the match in fifth place in the Eastern Conference table - one point clear of seventh place Pittsburgh Riverhounds and two points clear of eighth place Harrisburg City Islanders for the sixth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. However, both Pittsburgh and Harrisburg have a match in hand on the Kickers. The outcome of Saturday night's fixture could have serious playoff implications on the Rochester Rhinos pursuit of an Eastern Conference championship, and the Richmond Kickers hopes of making the playoffs.

The Rochester Rhinos opened an eight point lead over second place Louisville City FC with a 2:0 victory over Saint Louis FC on Sunday, August 30th, 2015. Colin Rolfe opened the scoring when he finished an assist from Kenardo Forbes in the fourth minute, and Rhinos captain Tony Walls finished a Forbes corner kick with a header in the 35th minute to close out the scoring for the home side. Rochester goalkeeper Brandon Miller made two saves to keep his league leading 11th clean sheet. After the result the Rhinos are unbeaten in their last four matches since their 4:2 loss to Charlotte Independence on August 1st - Rochester's only loss of the 2015 season to date.

Chasing Louisville City FC pulled to within five points of the top of the table with a 4:0 home victory over Harrisburg City Islanders in Slugger Stadium on Wednesday, September 2nd. Matt Fondy scored a hat trick for the home side, and Ilisa Ilic added the fourth in City's comprehensive victory. The goals made Fondy USL single season record holder for goals scored with 21 in 25 matches. Goalkeeper Scott Goodwin recorded six saves to keep the clean sheet in City's last home match of the 2015 USL regular season. City will have to close the five point gap with the Rhinos on the road as Louisville City FC will play their final three matches of the 2015 USL regular season away from home. City kicks off in Red Bull Arena against New York Red Bulls II on Saturday, September 5th, 2015 at 8:30PM, so the Rhinos result in Richmond will be all but known when their pursuers start their match.

Every season in the ultra competitive USL a championship-caliber side ends up with a dip in form during the wrong month of the season, and falls from the regular season championship chase into the playoff race. This year that team appears to be the Richmond Kickers. A look at the roster of Saturday night's opponent reveals the same names of USL institutions like Jason Yeisley, George Davis IV, Matthew Delicate, William Yomby, Sascha Goerres, and Michael Callahan who have led the Kickers to become one of the most successful clubs of the USL era.. For whatever reason, the results have gone missing over the past month as the Kickers are 2-3-1 in their last six matches, and have taken only seven of their last 12 points at City Stadium. Last time out Richmond dropped a 2:0 result to Charleston Battery at home on Saturday August 29th.

"Look - they are a much better team than their record indicates. I don't even think that fact is up for debate." Rhinos head coach Bob Lilley said of Saturday night's opponent. "They've had some injuries, but they're getting healthy right now. They also have a great relationship with D.C. United - last year it seemed like they had eight MLS players on the field when we went to Richmond. They're in a similar position to the one we played ourselves into last year where they have to get results, and they're more than capable of doing it. We're going to have our hands full on Saturday night."

The Rhinos next match in Rochester against Toronto FC II on Saturday, September 12th 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.



United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 4, 2015


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