Rhinos sign ex-MVP Allnutt By JEFF DIVERONICA STAFF WRITER (April 8, 2004) — While the Rochester Rhinos remained in pursuit of former A-League MVP and MLS veteran Wolde Harris on Wednesday, they officially welcomed back one of their former team MVPs, Yari Allnutt. The hard-charging, playmaking midfielder signed a one-year contract (terms undisclosed). Allnutt, who turned 34 in February, was a key player on Rhinos championship teams in 1998, ‘99 and 2000. He left for Major League Soccer in 2001 but played only nine matches for New England because he broke his right foot twice. He was released just before the 2002 season opener and didn’t play last year. He has returned to Rochester to re-launch a career that saw him named 2000 Rhinos MVP with a team-high 10 goals. ”I am ecstatic and I can’t wait to bring my grain of salt to help out this team,” said Allnutt, who ranks fourth all-time for the Rhinos in points (70), goals (30) and shots (170). “There are so many quality players here” Harris, 30, would be another if he decides to come to Rochester. The husky, 5-foot-10 forward from Jamaica was released last week by Kansas City (MLS). He is also in contract negotiations with a team in Spain, Rhinos general manager Chris Economides said. Harris played three seasons with Colorado (MLS), scoring 10 of his 13 goals in 1998 in a reserve role. He then joined New England, where he had 15 goals and seven assists in 2000 before compiling seven goals and five assists in 2001 and ‘02. He was traded last year to K.C. If Harris signs with the Rhinos, it would give them two former A-League MVPs. Harris was the 1996 MVP with the Colorado Foxes (17 goals, eight assists); Rochester veteran Doug Miller was the ‘96 MVP with 23 goals.
Is it me or is the A-League emerging as the equivalent of a mid-level European league? Teams wear the sponsor name on the front of their jersey, and there are now 2 "big clubs" in Rochester and Charleston Battery who have the means to sign the closest thing you can get to a "big name" player, i.e., a guy who had some decent time in MLS. If this were Holland, Rochester is Ajax and Charleston is PSV, so who is Feyernoord? Everone else is Go Ahead Eagles, except for the Orange County Zodiacs who are the equivalent of the legendary amateur team Oudzijdsvoogenwaal Printshenrikkadesgracht KV. The "KV" of course, stands for Klub Voetbaal. Tom