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Rochester Rhinos
05/10/2012 | News release
Back-to-Back Weekend
distributed by noodls on 05/11/2012 16:40
The Rochester Rhinos return to the road this weekend to visit the Charlotte Eagles on Friday, May 11th at 8PM and the Charleston Battery on Saturday, May 12th at 7:30PM. The Rhinos have started off the season with a 4-0 record, which includes a three match winning streak away from Sahlen's Stadium. Rochester has not conceded a goal in USL PRO regular season play this year, and they will take a streak of 360 scoreless consecutive minutes into this weekend's matches.
"Defensively we are playing well right now." Rhinos coach Jesse Myers said. "The core group of players that we brought back to form the foundation of this year's team were really taught how to defend by (USL Hall of Fame coach) Bobby (Lilley). The players we brought into the team during the offseason were all experienced players who have played at this level or higher. They know what it takes to succeed, to be a professional, and to win."
Rhinos goalkeeper Kristian Nicht has been the headliner of the Rhinos collective defensive effort this season. He has a 4-0 record and has yet to concede a goal this season resulting in four clean sheets. Nicht was acquired from FC Karlsruhe during the offseason as a replacement for Neal Kitson, who moved on to Northampton Town during the January international transfer window. Nicht spent a majority of his career in the German Bundesliga2 and the Norwegian First Division, although he did play 18 matches in the German Bundesliga, one of the world's top leagues, with Alemania Aachen during the 2006-2007 season. The 30 year old goalkeeper is playing in the United States for the first time.
"Kristian has come and been exactly what we expected him to be - a first class professional." said Myers. "He communicates well with his defense, he is dominant coming off his line to catch crosses, he can kick the ball a mile, and he can make a big save when we need him to. Kristian's a quality keeper with a bright future in the American game."
Rhinos center midfielder Drew Cost and defender Jack Traynor were recognized by USL PRO for their contributions to Rochester's defensive effort so far this season. Cost was named the USL PRO Player of the Week for Week Five for his efforts in the Rhinos 1:0 win over the Charlotte Eagles on May 5th in Rochester. He played the long diagonal ball to Rhinos right winger JC Banks that resulted in the Rhinos goal. He also distributed the ball well and contributed to the Rhinos overall defensive effort. Cost is a second year player who has started all four matches this season as a holding midfielder.
He was joined on the USL PRO Team of the Week by defender Jack Traynor. Traynor was brought over from Orlando City during the offseason. He played with City last season, and he played 17 regular season matches for the USL PRO champions in 2011. Myers brought in Traynor and Michael Zaher to give the Rhinos two experienced, left footed players who could play on the left side. Traynor has been very versatile since his arrival in Rochester, and he has shown the ability to play left back, right back, center back, and holding midfielder for the club.
The Rhinos will need to be at their defensive best against Charlotte - one of the most improved teams in USL PRO since the start of the season. The Eagles lost to the Rhinos 1:0 last weekend, but the goal they conceded was an own goal. Charlotte displayed technical ability in midfield with Milton Blanco, Miguel Ferrer, and Jorge Herrera keeping possession of the ball and playing well together from 18 to 18. Former Carolina Railhawks standout Joseph Kwabe showed the ability to break down the Rhinos defense and get into space on the left flank. Charlotte was without the services of Trinidad & Tobago international Darryl Roberts, who has scored two goals in his first three USL PRO matches, last Saturday night due to fixture congestion. Roberts should play a more significant role in this Friday night's rematch. Charlotte manager Mark Steffens seems to have put a lot of pieces in place for a potential playoff run over the past month, but his side will want to avoid a 2-6-1 start to the season with a positive result on Friday night.
On Saturday, May 12th the Rochester Rhinos will visit Blackbaud Stadium to take on the Charleston Battery. Charleston and Rochester both have 12 points early in the 2012 USL PRO season. The Battery lead the Rhinos in the table on goal differential, but Rochester has a game in hand over both Charleston and Orlando City, the USL PRO leaders. Charleston had one of the league's best defensive records last season, and they have keeper Andrew Dykstra back on loan from DC United. Charleston is co-leader (Orlando City) in goals scored with 11. They are led by newcomers Sallieu Bundu (Charlotte), with one goal and two assists, and Joes Cuevas, who has three goals and two assists. Holdover midfielder Nick Patterson has three goals and two assists on the season.
This weekend will be the 15th time in club history that the Rhinos have played back-to-back away matches. The Rhinos are 15-9-4 all time in back-to-back away matches. On this road trip last season the Rhinos took four points out of six. They drew with Charlotte 2:2 on Friday night, and then traveled to Charleston where they defeated the Battery 1:0 on a goal by Drew Cost.
Rochester Rhinos fans can follow along with both matches on UNATION at www.uslnation.com. The Charlotte Eagles do not typically have their matches broadcast, but the Rhinos are taking on the costs of producing an audio-only broadcast out of Charlotte on Friday night. Fans can also listen on Herb FM Internet Radio at www.herbfm.com. Saturday night's match will be a regular UNATION broadcast.
The Rochester Rhinos next home match will be Friday, May 18th at 7:35 against the Dutch Lions. Tickets are on sale by calling 585.454.KICK, by visiting rhinossoccer.com, or by visiting any one of Ticket Master's retail locations.
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