Rochester Rhinos News Release -- www.rhinossoccer.com
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Irish midfielder Danny Earls is re-joining the Rochester Rhinos for the second time in his career after agreeing to terms with the club for the 2012 season. Earls played for the Rhinos in 2008 and 2009 before moving to join the Colorado Rapids in MLS for the 2010 season. The deal is still pending league and Federation approval. 
“To say we’re thrilled to sign Danny Earls would probably be the understatement of the year.” Rhinos head coach Jesse Myers said. “Three or four years ago Danny was a bright young prospect, but now that he’s been in Major League Soccer he is returning [to Rochester] as a seasoned young veteran. His work rate, his technical class, and his ability to serve a ball set him apart.”
Earls began his professional career in his native Ireland before moving to Aston Villa (EPL) in 2005. He never played with the Villa first team, but spent time in the reserves until he moved to America at the end of the 2008 season.
Earls was brought to Rochester by former manager Darren Tilley and his assistant Steve Guppy in June 2008. He made his American debut in the First Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against RWB Adria (USASA) on June 10th. Earls’ highlights from his first season in Rochester included being named the USL First Division Player of the Week on July 29, 2008.
“It’s great to be back in Rochester, and I’m looking forward to playing with the Rhinos again this season.” said Earls. “The locker room has a good group of experienced guys. We’ve had a good training camp and we’re looking forward to the start of the season.”
In February 2010 Earls moved into Major League Soccer with the Colorado Rapids. He made 22 appearances for the club over the past two seasons. He won the 2010 MLS Eastern Conference Championship and the 2010 MLS Cup – the first two honors of his professional career – in his first season with the Rapids.
Earls played 53 times in all competitions for the Rhinos during his first stint with the club. He made 50 starts and played 4,083 minutes over his two seasons in Rochester. He tallied one goal and five assists for seven points.
Earls will be 22 years old at the start of the Rochester Rhinos 2012 USL PRO season.
The Rhinos play their final two preseason matches this week. Rochester hosts the Montreal Impact U21 team on Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. and Syracuse University on Friday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. Both matches are open and free to the public.