Rochester Rhinos News Release - www.rhinossoccer.com

Saturday, April 25, 2015

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - The Rochester Rhinos open their 20th season in Rochester, New York on Sunday afternoon at 2:05 p.m. at Sahlen's Stadium against New York Red Bulls II.

Rochester is in second place in the USL's Eastern Conference after a 3-0-2 start to the season away from home. The 2015 edition of the Rhinos has awoken echoes of championship teams from the past as they have the best defensive record in the 24-team USL, are third in the league in shots, and sixth in goals scored. Sunday will be only the fourth time that the Rhinos have returned to Rochester unbeaten after playing more than one match away from home to start the season. Two of the other occasions were the 1998 A-League Championship team, and the Rhinos last trip to a final in 2006.

The Rhinos blue collar defensive style has always been a hallmark of USL Hall of Fame head coach Bob Lilley's best sides. Rochester has conceded two goals in five matches, and leads the league in clean sheets. However, Rhinos goalkeepers are only ranked 19th in USL in saves made as a team defensive effort anchored by captain Tony Walls in the midfield, and a back four of second year left back Onua Thomas Obasi, Greek import Vassilis Apostolopoulos, former Colorado Rapids center back Grant Van De Casteele, and second year right back Pat McMahon have limited opposition chances.

Although Lilley has given starts to all three of his goalkeepers, fourth year Rhino Brandon Miller has played in three of the first five matches of the season. Miller is off to a 2-0-1 start with a 0.333 goals-against average and two shutouts.

“When we are defending really well it's a team effort, and I think that is what we have seen at times to start this season,” Lilley said. “It starts with effort and work rate from our forwards, then it's a pressing mentality in midfield, and then a solid back four with a goalkeeper who can help us out when he's called on. When we've been able to put that package together we have been tough to play against.”

The renewed enthusiasm surrounding the 2015 Rhinos comes from their stark improvement in attack. Rochester has recorded 64 shots in its first five matches – an average of 12.8 per match – and the team has scored seven goals. Second year forward Alex Dixon and rookie Christian Volesky lead the team in scoring with two goals each.

Dixon joined Rochester last season after spending three seasons in Major League Soccer with Houston Dynamo. Dixon scored three goals all of last season, and is on pace to eclipse his 2014 total before the end of the first month of the 2015 season. Volesky had a standout collegiate career with SIU-Edwardsville before breaking onto the national scene in January 2015 when he won Most Valuable Player honors at the 2015 MLS Combine in Bradenton, Fla.

New York Red Bulls II enters Sunday's match in seventh place in the Eastern Conference with five points from a 1-2-2 record after their first five matches. Red Bulls II is one of seven new Major League Soccer clubs to follow LA Galaxy's 2014 lead and field a second team in the USL in 2015. New York's roster is comprised of first team players on loan to the second team, Red Bulls Academy products, and intriguing prospects New York Red Bulls have signed to USL contracts to give them the opportunity to develop. The Rhinos and Red Bulls II played to a scoreless draw in both team's season opening match at Red Bull Arena on March 28th.

One of the top players on the Red Bulls II roster is UCLA product Leo Stolz. The 2014 Hermann Trophy Award winner, presented annually to the top player in college soccer, appeared 63 times for the Bruins scoring 20 goals and adding 22 assists. The rookie appeared to be heading overseas after his collegiate career until he was selected by the Red Bulls in the 2015 MLS Draft.

“Playing against an MLS club always involves some mystery," Lilley said. "They really have two rosters at their disposal, and have the ability to make changes to their line-up to do anything from give the Academy kids a chance one week to giving minutes to first teamers the next weekend. No doubt Red Bulls II will have a good product on the field on Sunday.”

Single game tickets to the home opener are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling (585)454-KICK (5425), online via Ticketmaster, or by visiting the MVP Health Care Box Office at Sahlen's Stadium during business hours.

Rochester Rhinos season tickets, flex packages, group sales tickets, and individual match tickets are also currently on sale and can be purchased by calling (585)454-KICK (5425), online via Ticketmaster, or by visiting the MVP Health Care Box Office at Sahlen's Stadium during business hours.