I was in Rochester this past week when the announcement was made. It was the first time in a while that the D&C covered the team. If you want Rhino gear, this might be the last time to get some. So sad.
so...hold the phone...Rob Clark wants the furniture...you can't make this stuff up even if you tried: http://www.democratandchronicle.com...ner-lays-claim-stadium-furnishings/892882001/
going on hiatus... http://buffalonews.com/2017/11/30/rochester-rhinos-choose-to-take-hiatus-from-united-soccer-league/
How often has a hiatus ever been just a hiatus? Guess I can invest in the Amerks instead. D&C had a somewhat interesting article this morning on the decline of Rochester as a minor-league sports town: http://www.democratandchronicle.com...-lost-its-minor-league-market-mojo/897804001/
The Hampton Roads Mariners took off 1997 and came back in 1998*. The North Jersey Imperials took 1998 off and came back in 1999. The Lexington Bluegrass Bandits took 1998 off and came back in 1999. The Greensboro/Carolina Dynamo took 1998 off and came back in 1999. The Pittsburgh Riverhounds took 2001 off and came back in 2002. The Wilmington Hammerheads took off 2010 and came back in 2011. There were several amateur clubs back in the primordial soup days who took a year or two off. But Pittsburgh and Wilmington are the most recent examples. *And, kinda, took 2001 off. The franchise went away and then owners bought Nashville's A-League rights because they were contractually obligated to provide a team to the SportsPlex and fielded a team in 2002, which later folded.
Thats a bummer. Hopefully the Rhino's are able to get everything in order and can come raging back good as new.
My take on this is that here is what will happen. They will play about 6-8 friendlies during the season with a mix of USL/NASL(if around)/PDL/NPSL teams. Just enough to keep the name out there. The players will mostly be local players and not of real high quality. I think that they will end up in USL 2 if the budget works out. In the rally that was held a few weeks ago now, Pat Ercoli mentioned that their budget was already one of the lowest in the USL. The major benefit of staying USL from a budget standpoint was the really limited travel for their division. TFCII, Ottawa, RBNYII, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg. That is a really tight footprint. If there are enough USL2 teams in the NE, I bet they end up there. I think the late wrench that Clark threw into the mix, and the ongoing legal issues helped push this decision.
Here is a podcast where Mark Washo, the CFO of the Rhinos talks about the decision to take the season off. Interesting stuff.
Rhinos will play at least 4 matches this year. It also appears that there will be a few USL matches in Rochester as a neutral site.
One interesting thing from the USL schedule is that Toronto FC II does not have a home location listed. Could these be the ones played in Rochester??? Nothing has been announced yet.
And to make things even stranger the city of Rochester has stated that by not having a team this season, the Rhinos have violated the terms of their lease, and are being kicked out of the stadium. The team is fighting this decision by the city. So here is a list of issues 1. Rob Clark still claims all of the "stuff" is his, not the clubs. 2. City of Rochester has stated that the Rhinos must leave the stadium by the end of Feb. 3. At least 4 USL matches will be played in 2018, teams have not been announced. 4. Rhinos still plan on their Youth Academy teams to play, etc. 5. Rhinos are planning on returning in 2019.
4 Toronto FC II matches will be played in Rochester Pittsburgh Riverhounds on May 5 Indy Eleven on June 16 Nashville SC on July 28 Bethlehem Steel FC on August 16.
Rochester Lancers, the NPSL team, have announced that they will play their matches this season at Capelli Sports Stadium. They will be the secondary tenant, with the Rhinos staying as the primary one. Still lots of discussion on the local Rochester airways about the city trying to end the lease with the Rhinos. Lots of speculation as to the real reason for this.
So the Dworkin's have been pretty open about their belief that they are following the terms of the lease. They both made their money in real estate and I would hope know how to read a lease. Interview with Jeff DiVeronica, Soccer Sam and Dave Dworkin here, interview starts around 21:00. See the player at the bottom of the page and move ahead to 21:00.
Essentially the city of Rochester has not made known their intentions for the stadium. If you are going to evict someone, I would hope there is a plan in place.