Friday, August 16, 2013
PHOENIX -- Tam McManus scored twice, including a stoppage-time game-winner, as the Rochester Rhinos took a 4-3 victory against Phoenix FC at Reach 11 Stadium on Friday night. Phoenix held an early 2-0 lead, but was reduced to 10 men just before halftime as Rochester rallied to take victory.
Phoenix had held a 2-1 lead going into the halftime break, but had been reduced to 10 men in first-half stoppage time as Tommy Ramos was sent off. The Rhinos took advantage of the man-advantage in the second half as Blake Brettschneider scored with a low shot into the right corner of the net in the 59th minute. Five minutes later, McManus scored his first of the game as he fired home to put the Rhinos in control of the game.
Despite being down to 10 men, Phoenix pressed late to try and find an equalizer, and the Wolves would find one in the first minute of stoppage time as a low cross from the right found an unmarked Josh Bento in the left side of the penalty area. The rookie would score his first goal for the Wolves with a low finish, but almost immediately the Rhinos regained the lead. Rochester swept forward immediately from the opening kickoff, catching the Wolves' defense off-guard, as Mike Reidy got in on the left and sent a low cross to the top of the six-yard area that McManus was on hand to finish.
The Wolves had taken the lead in the fourth minute through Donny Toia, who following the game was named Player of the Year by the club's supporter's club La Furia Roja 1881. Toia's clever chip was followed by a strong effort by Travis Bowen, who was denied twice on headers by Rhinos goalkeeper Brandon Miller, only to finish at the third opportunity with a powerful shot.
Rochester's comeback began in the 32nd minute as Danny Earls, who as last weekend named the Rhinos' Most Valuable Player, drove a low shot home from 25 yards after a corner was half-cleared. The Rhinos were then boosted by the red card to Ramos, giving them a one-man advantage for the entire second half, and managed to pull out a late victory.
The game concluded Phoenix FC's inaugural season, with the Wolves ending the year with a record of 5-14-7. Toia finished the season as the club's leading scorer with six goals.