Rochester Rhinos News Release -- www.rhinossoccer.com
Thursday, August 2, 2012
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The Rochester Rhinos host Orlando City at Sahlen’s Stadium on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. City captured the USL PRO Championship last weekend with their emphatic 4-0 victory against the Charleston Battery at the Florida Citrus Bowl. The Rhinos enter the match in second place in the USL PRO table. Rochester has yet to clinch a playoff spot in the USL PRO Playoffs, and points are at a premium in front of next weekend’s showdown with third-placed Charleston at Sahlen’s Stadium. Orlando City defeated Rochester 4-0 earlier in the season.
“Orlando City is a very good team," Rhinos head coach Jesse Myers said. “Their victory over us a couple of weeks ago in Orlando kind of launched them on this torrid stretch they are currently on. We’ve been watching what they’ve been doing and some of the results that they’ve been putting on the scoreboard. They are very impressive right now. We’ve got some ideas that we’re going to try out this weekend, and we want to give a better accounting of ourselves than we did in Florida.”
The Rhinos have been led into the second place spot in the table by a solid defense and some timely scoring. Rhinos’ goalkeeper Kristian Nicht leads USL PRO in shutouts with 10, while captain Troy Roberts has been a stalwart in central defense playing every minute of every match this season. Argentinean Lucas Fernandez has established himself as the club’s starting right back. The Rhinos defense has also been lifted by the return of starting center back George Kyriazis and left back Jack Traynor from injury. Meanwhile Rochester winger JC Banks leads the USL PRO in assists (8) while he is tied for the team lead in goals (5) and is fourth in the league in points (18).
Orlando City has the league’s best goal differential as well as USL PRO’s best record for goals scored and goals conceded. Presumptive USL PRO Most Valuable Player Dennis Chin leads the league in goals scored (11) and points (24) while right midfielder Kevin Molino trails Banks by one assist for the league lead. 2011 USL PRO Defender of the Year Rob Valentino and 2011 USL PRO Goalkeeper of the Year Miguel Gallardo anchor a Lions back four that has only conceded 15 goals this season.
Friday night will be “Kid’s Night” in Sahlen’s Stadium. Over one dozen mascots will be along the concourse during pregame to visit with children and their families before kickoff. The first 1,000 kids will also receive a complementary UMBRO mini-ball at the gates. The mascots will face off in a half time mini-game, and there will be plenty of fun and activities for kids and families around the stadium.
Tickets are available by calling 585-454-KICK, visiting rhinossoccer.com, www.ticketmaster.com or at Ticketmaster Retail Outlets.