What happened to interest in the Rhinos

Discussion in 'Rochester Rhinos' started by Revolt, Aug 2, 2010.

  1. Revolt

    Revolt Member+

    Jun 16, 1999
    Davis, CA
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I recall many Rhinos posters here a long time ago - now almost nada. What gives? Rochester has always been a great soccer city.
     
  2. Bend_it

    Bend_it Member

    Jun 13, 2006
    St. Louis, MO
    Club:
    AC St. Louis
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  3. Bend_it

    Bend_it Member

    Jun 13, 2006
    St. Louis, MO
    Club:
    AC St. Louis
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
  4. SoccerPrime

    SoccerPrime Moderator
    Staff Member

    All of them
    Apr 14, 2003
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Revolt, a lot of Rochester fans post on another website. I am sure there is a link to it from the Rhinos website. But we encourage you or other Rhinos fans to post here, its your forum.

    Bend_it, what relevance does your posts have to the subject of the Original Poster? None I can see. Spamming is not allowed on BS.
     
  5. urtel

    urtel Member

    Jul 16, 2003
    PDX
    Club:
    Rochester Rhinos
    Nat'l Team:
    Finland
    Most of the guys do post at another forum. It's a bit more local than anything. There's not really a Rhinos fan abroad...
     
  6. ithacat

    ithacat Member

    Jun 28, 2009
    Ithaca, NY
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Went to our first Rhinos game last summer and was really disappointed in the crowd. Had heard how enthusiastic the Rochester fans were and their supporter section was supposed to be first rate. The crowd was incredibly tame, the canned music was boring, and I couldn't really tell there was any supporters section at all. It was on a beautiful summer afternoon and there were maybe 4,000 folks there.

    They used to draw 10k and now they're around half that. We'll drive 4 hours to Philly for a game, but we won't drive 90 minutes to Rochester again. Very sad.
     
  7. brentgoulet

    brentgoulet Member+

    Oct 12, 2005
    PuertoPlata, DomRep
    They had over 9K last night against the Strikers, their best crowd since a long time

    Through wikipedia I found out that every season since the opening of their SSS in 1996 they have less and less fans in the stands
     
  8. Rick O'Shea

    Rick O'Shea Member

    Aug 19, 2008
    Doesn't the problem at Rochester centre around the lost expectation of joining MLS? When the new stadium was built there was a real buzz that the Rhinos would be moving onwards and upwards. Since then the chance seems diminishing by the day along with the potential supporters. It is a great pity, for with the right backing they could almost become the Green Bay Packers of the MLS, to the extent that they are not an obvious choice any longer but there is still good underlying support. :(
     
  9. Revolt

    Revolt Member+

    Jun 16, 1999
    Davis, CA
    Club:
    San Jose Earthquakes
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Good to hear. Seems like MLS isn't in the cards, so I do hope Rochester can regain some its fan magic and be the class club of D2. Best wishes, folks.
     
  10. Whitecaps10

    Whitecaps10 Member

    Jul 11, 2010
    Long Island,NY
    Club:
    Vancouver Whitecaps
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I hope that the Rhinos have a higher season attendence next year.
     
  11. Arsenalfc1983

    Arsenalfc1983 New Member

    Jul 28, 2010
    Club:
    Arsenal FC
    As a Rochester Rhinos supporter and season ticket holder I'd like to weigh in quickly.

    With the realization that we aren't going MLS, we have lost fans and hype. For me personally the worst part is that we are losing all of our rivals. Toronto v Rochester was a fantastic match, second only to Montreal v Rochester.

    With the loss of these teams we are down to the PR Islanders as the last team in the league that I really look forward to seeing.

    The westcoast teams were pretty big draws here too. Portland, Seattle, Vancouver all were exciting games.

    With all due respect, it's hard to get pumped about seeing teams like CP Baltimore, NSC Minnesota or FC Tampa Bay. It takes time to form a rival, and if Atlanta doesn't return, it leaves Rochester and PR as the only teams formed before 2005.

    There isn't much point in making a case for the Rhinos to join MLS, it's all been said and done. We have a nice SSS and some good history with other MLS teams, but unfortunately our market is too small. I just hope we keep a high enough attendance to stay relevant.
     
  12. TheHun

    TheHun Member

    May 5, 2005
    Arsenal - I think I understand your point of view. However, from an outside view, there are other factors to be considered:

    1. Rochester Rhino's popularity came at a point when they were winning trophies and beating MLS clubs regularly. Popularity will change with success and wax and wane with the times. (be thankful you're not at Liverpool FC right now)

    2. While the proximity of Toronto and Montreal created excellent rivalry, it really should be about interest in the home team - not the visitors. In the NASL days, many people in Rochester only came out when the Cosmos came to town. That was frustrating for Lancer die-hards. Embrace the wins over your opponents and build communicative relationships with their fans. With North America's sports structure and fluctuation, there are few real soccer rivalries based on geography.

    3. Stability of the leagues in which the Rhinos play must be considered: A-League, USL, NASL ... where will end ? It must end with a stable name and league. The fans can do much by voicing their opinion - whether here on the forum or in the stands (or even staying away). Hopefully you front office is listening.

    4. Not all the choices made by the franchise worked out well. The building of the new stadium in its current location has been an excuse for some to stay away. Hopefully, the Rhinos joining the new NASL last year will benefit them in the long run.

    While it is true that the Rochester market may never be "big time", it is still a solvent business level. How the club interacts with the community and the sponsorship ties they make can go a long way.

    Lastly, you will see hundreds of clubs around the world that do not win trophies - but their fans still sing and support the team. Remember that the fans can BE THE EVENT, not just attend a game. If you want to sit on your hands - stay at home.

    Strong supporters clubs are vital and bringing in top soccer people makes a world of difference.

    GO ROCHESTER !
     
  13. SoccerPrime

    SoccerPrime Moderator
    Staff Member

    All of them
    Apr 14, 2003
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Of course current rumors say Rochester is backing out of NASL and and will play in the new USL Pro League (northern conference),
     
  14. Whitecaps10

    Whitecaps10 Member

    Jul 11, 2010
    Long Island,NY
    Club:
    Vancouver Whitecaps
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I hate seeing all the rumors that have been going on in division 2 for the past year. I hope there will be stability in division 2.
     
  15. brentgoulet

    brentgoulet Member+

    Oct 12, 2005
    PuertoPlata, DomRep
    +1, if you compare the MLS stability to the USL/NASL instability ....
     
  16. evan eleven

    evan eleven Member

    Jun 4, 2009
    California
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    i doubt the people of Rochester got that new stadium built with the idea of playing division-3. i never been to Rochester but i imagine most soccer fans would see Rochester Relegation the same way i do: pretty f*ckin' lame... i hope it doesn't happen and i hope Rochester fans (who still care) are pressuring the owner to stay with NASL next year...
     
  17. brentgoulet

    brentgoulet Member+

    Oct 12, 2005
    PuertoPlata, DomRep
    If I remember well that the stadium was built with MLS in mind (do not forget that at that time the expansion fee was only like 10 million)

    At that time the Rhinos had another boss, now it is Rob Clark

    Some rumors claim that he wants to reduce travel costs, so chosing USL Pro over the NASL seems pretty logic

    But do I like this whole self relegation ? Not at all
     
  18. SoccerPrime

    SoccerPrime Moderator
    Staff Member

    All of them
    Apr 14, 2003
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Well so far the Rhinos are NOT part of the NASL bid for 2011. So either NASL gets approval without them and the Rhinos join later or NASL fails and Rochester plays in the only pro level under MLS ie USL Pro.
     
  19. Mikey mouse

    Mikey mouse Member

    Jul 27, 1999
    Charleston, SC
    Club:
    Charleston
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    At first I worried about teh battery when they moved down last season. But I would rather have a team than have one go broke and not have one at all.

    And the attendence numbers this year have been slightly higher. I would guess that 90% of the fans wouldn't know the difference. its only a handful of us that worry about these things....
     
  20. brentgoulet

    brentgoulet Member+

    Oct 12, 2005
    PuertoPlata, DomRep
    Didn't I read somewhere that the Rhinos, despite their way above the league average attendances, lost 2 million US during the 2008 and 2009 seasons. I don't think that Rob Clark is willing to keep up with that sinkhole for money much longer. Sad but true.
     
  21. Mikey mouse

    Mikey mouse Member

    Jul 27, 1999
    Charleston, SC
    Club:
    Charleston
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    yeah but im not sure how much of that was paying off bills he incured or was actual over-budget items.

    regardless, from a business stand point, travel is killer. And if 90% of the fans don't really care about which league (most people are going to, and should, support the team not the league IMO). It is hard to make a case for staying in D2 (for the time being anyhow)
     
  22. evan eleven

    evan eleven Member

    Jun 4, 2009
    California
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    sure, it's better to have a D-3 team than no team at all. and if Charleston fans don't care about the drop in quality then that's fine for them. but if, as stated by some Rochester fans earlier in the thread, attendance and interest at Rhinos games has declined because their rivals are moving up to MLS while the Rhinos are not, then self-relegating will just make the problem worse it seems to me. the Rhinos are one of the flagship D-2 teams and the only team to beat an MLS team in the Open Cup Final. and Rochester is a bigger market than Charleston with a bigger stadium.
    IMO self-relegating now is just admitting financial defeat. and if Clark can't afford D-2 he should find new investors or sell the team to someone who can afford it. do any actual Rochester fans want to chime in with an opinion???
     
  23. SoccerPrime

    SoccerPrime Moderator
    Staff Member

    All of them
    Apr 14, 2003
    Club:
    Real Salt Lake
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    From Rochester blogster Devo:
    http://blogs.democratandchronicle.com/devo/2010/10/06/what-a-difference-a-letter-makes/

     
  24. brentgoulet

    brentgoulet Member+

    Oct 12, 2005
    PuertoPlata, DomRep
    The Rhinos lost 2-0 in Puerto Rico last night
     
  25. Mikey mouse

    Mikey mouse Member

    Jul 27, 1999
    Charleston, SC
    Club:
    Charleston
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Im aware of Rochesters history but they also played in a regional league in 1999. I know the numbers are going to be different for each team but the Battery saved more than $150,000 in travel this year. That can go along way toward feilding a team. And I do have several friends in Rochester and a the feeling I get is that they would rather have their team play in a lower division than risk lossing it altogether. Some of these guys have been supporting the Rhinos since the start and they said they will support the rhinos regardless.

    And Im not saying all the charleston fans didn't care. Im sure you can look back to the boards around Oct Nov of last year and see some discontent. The club held meetings with the supporters to aleiveate fears and answer questions. I said about 90% probably didnt notice. I cant think of one fan who decided not to go to games because of the drop down.

    At first I think the drop bruised a few egos, but after a year in D3, now it doesnt bother me. We have had some great rivialries over the nearly 20 years with Charlotte and Richmond and it was nice to renew those.

    Plus, Im just not seeing the benefit of D2 status vs D3 status for the clubs in the US (in the forseeable future). its not like D2 is getting TV revenue, more local media coverage. I would also argue that the Battery were a better team this year than they were last season. Besides the season, we beat Carolina and Chicago in the Open Cup, played very respectfully against EPL's Bolton (which I believe you said you were there)

    Dont get me wrong, I think a strong D2 league is important. But a weak one is just going to bankrupt current owners, and scare off potential new ones. just my two cents.
     

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