Rochester Rhinos News Release -- www.rhinossoccer.com
Tuesday, July 16, 2011
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The Rochester Rhinos host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the USL PRO National Division Semifinals on Friday night at Sahlen’s Stadium at 7:30 p.m. The Rhinos defeated Pittsburgh in all three of their regular season meetings, including a 3-0 victory in Rochester on July 22nd and a 1-0 victory in Rochester last Friday night. Rochester goalkeeper Neal Kitson has a 3-0 record against the Hounds this year with three shutouts while Pittsburgh native Rich Costanzo has scored goals in two of the Rhinos’ three victories.
The Rhinos (12-8-4, 40 points) enter the USL PRO playoffs with the third-best defensive record in the league. Second-year goalkeeper Neal Kitson is tied for first in USL PRO in wins, tied for second in shutouts, and third in saves. Former Toronto FC midfielder and 2011 Rhinos MVP Tyler Rosenlund runs the engine room in the Rhinos midfield. Rhinos captain Troy Roberts is in his second year with the club and anchors the back four. Roberts appeared in 61 games with the Los Angeles Galaxy (Major League Soccer) and was a member of the team’s 2005 side that won the MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup double. The Rhinos have posted an 8-2-2 record at home with a USL PRO best seven goals conceded in 12 home league matches.
Rochester has fielded an attack-by-committee in the 2011. The Rhinos' four forwards have combined for 14 of the team’s 29 goals this year. Kendall Jagdeosingh has five goals in his first season after joining the club in the offseason while second-year front runner Andrew Hoxie ranks in the USL PRO’s top 20 in points with five goals and two assists. Veteran midfielder Tony Donatelli and 2011 Rhinos Rookie of the Year JC Banks have combined for five goals and eight assists coming out of the midfield. Hoxie (two goals, one assist), Donatelli (two assists), and Banks (two assists) have been particularly effective against Pittsburgh this season.
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds finished the 2011 USL PRO regular season 7-11-6 with 27 points. They got off to a slow start to the season with only nine points from their first 14 matches, but they have taken 18 points in their last 10 matches. The Riverhounds have picked up notable results on the road in Charleston (2-0) and Orlando (0-0) as well as at home against Richmond (2-0) and Charlotte (2-2) over that 10-game stretch.
The Riverhounds attack is led by Jason Yeisley and Jeremy Deighton. Deighton leads Pittsburgh with six goals, including three goals over the last five matches. Yeisley has five goals and two assists on the 2011 USL PRO season, but has not played since July 30th. Yeisley had a phenomenal freshman season at Penn State before his sophomore and junior seasons were derailed by significant knee injuries. This is Yeisley’s first season with Pittsburgh after joining the team from FC Dallas during the off-season. Michael Gray provides a creative spark out of the midfield for the Riverhounds and had one goal and four assists in the regular season.
The Riverhounds defence is anchored by goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap. Gilstrap leads USL PRO in saves (98) and is tied for second in shutouts with nine. Last season Gilstrap was the 2010 USL Second Division Goalkeeper of the Year. Gilstrap had his most successful performance against the Rhinos last Friday night with seven saves and one goal conceded. Former Houston Dynamo midfielder Sammy Appiah provides some steel in the Riverhounds midfield and is in the USL PRO’s top ten in fouls.
The winner of Friday night’s USL PRO Division Semifinal will face the winner of the Harrisburg City Islanders and Los Angeles Blues, who will also play on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at the Skyline Sports Complex in Harrisburg. If the Rhinos defeat Pittsburgh, then they will host the USL PRO National Division Final at Sahlen’s Stadium on the weekend of August 26th to August 28th.