Rochester Rhinos News Release -- www.rhinossoccer.com
Monday, March 5, 2012
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The Rochester Rhinos will be opening their 17th preseason on Thursday, March 15th at 10 a.m. at Sahlen’s Stadium. The Rhinos players will begin arriving in Rochester on Sunday, March 11th. They will be taking team administered physicals, having team meetings, and moving into the apartments that the Rhinos provide for them through their corporate sponsorships with Blueberry Hills, Westmont Apartments, Bonesteel Manor, and Willow Gardens.
“With a single table format in the USL PRO this season every game is meaningful.” Rochester Rhinos Head Coach Jesse Myers said. “I think I look at the season as more of a marathon than a sprint. We’re starting our season a week later than most of the league, so I don’t really feel that it’s necessary to have a six to eight week pre-season. I think that a month before the start of the season is sufficient time to get players prepared for the start of the season. I have found over the years that the formula for success in the USL is to be healthy and playing well at the end of the season. That’s my goal as a coach – to have my players as healthy and rested as possible going into the postseason.”
Myers has been busy in his first off-season at the helm of the Rhinos. After his appointment as the fifth head coach in Rochester Rhinos history in October, his first priority was to work with Rochester Rhinos President Pat Ercoli to retain a nucleus of talent from last year’s team. As a result nine players are returning to Rochester for the 2012 season: Rhinos captain Troy Roberts (third year), centre back Tyler Bellamy (third year), right back Quavas Kirk (second year), centre midfielder Drew Cost (second year), centre midfielder Michael Tanke (second year), 2011 Rhinos MVP Tyler Rosenlund (third year), 2011 Rhinos Rookie of the Year JC Banks, front runner Andrew Hoxie (third year), and 2010 Rhinos Offensive Player of the Year Isaac Kissi (third year). All nine players won a USL PRO regular season division title with the Rhinos last season. Kissi, Hoxie, Rosenlund, Bellamy, and Roberts also won the 2010 USSF Division-2 Pro League Regular Season Title in 2010.
“I’m very happy that the nucleus of our success over the past few years is coming back intact. This is a strong core that is familiar with each other and the fans in Rochester.” Myers said.
After bringing back a strong group of players Myers next priority was to add some young veteran professionals to the mix. He started off by bringing in defenders Michael Zaher and Jack Traynor. Traynor was a member of Orlando City’s 2011 USL PRO Championship team after playing his first two years with AC Saint Louis (USD2) in 2010 and Miami FC (USL-1) in 2009. Zaher was a member of the Charleston Battery (USL PRO) in 2009 and 2010. Myers next signing was front runner Conor Chinn. Chinn played for the New York Red Bull (MLS) in 2010 before training with Real Salt Lake (MLS) last season. Myers last young veteran to join the roster in the off-season was front runner Graciano Brito, who was with F.C. New York last season after spending his first professional season in Portugal.
“When I got here I thought that the club was void of left sided, left footed defenders who could attack out of the back. Both Traynor and Zaher are young veteran players with a huge upside.” Myers said. "Chinn and Brito are both players who I feel could potentially have breakout years. Both are big, strong athletes who should fit into the USL PRO style of play quite nicely.”
In goal the Rochester Rhinos have added rookie Brandon Miller from the University of North Carolina-Wilmington. As a senior he earned All-CAA honors in 2011 after posting a 1.36 goals-against average in the final 11 matches of the season. He made 68 saves in 18 matches last fall. Miller’s coach at UNC-Wilmington was Adrian Heaney, former goalkeeper for the New England Revolution (MLS). Heaney began his professional career in Germany in 1992 before returning to play in Major League Soccer from 1996 to 1997 where he made 19 starts.
Perhaps the Rhinos most notable singing of the 2012 off-season is Scottish striker Tam McManus. McManus began his career with Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League where he played in over 100 matches. McManus made his debut in America with the Colorado Rapids (MLS) in 2008 where he scored six goals in 20 matches. McManus returned to Scotland and most recently played with Ayr United in the Scottish First Division.
“Tam brings a plethora of experience at home, in the United States, and internationally. I am looking for him to be a leader in the locker room and on the field. I believe Tam can handle the expectations that the coaching staff will be placing upon his shoulders.” Myers said. “Tam McManus is just the beginning of our work internationally. We will have a couple of announcements to make before the start of training camp that still need to pass through immigration before they receive league and Federation approval. These are players who will definitely add to the players that we already have in place here.”