Rochester does draw well for USLPro. The team has similar problems as the USMNT does. Not enough going forward, and a defense that can not hold only a lead.
I'm amazed that the 1/2 mile distance from Frontier to Sahlen's is a fairly big factor in the Rhino's decline.
I think that article does a good job about trying to get at the hope that the Stadium would bring to the neighborhood. The 1/2 mile is really more than a distance. Look at this map. It might help understand. Surrounding Frontier Field is parking for Kodak tower, 2 freeways and downtown. Surrounding Sahlen Stadium on three sides are rough neighborhoods. Now is that an excuse, yes. But as the article talked about, location plus a bunch of other issues really hurt.
Jeff DiVeronica Attendance at Sahlen's Stadium, 5,421. They were treated to a great final. Congrats to those fans. You were rewarded #USLChampionship
Typical DiVeronica. Hey great for Rhinos I was pulling for them but I'd be shocked if there were even 2500 fans there last night, unless they were all hiding behind the multiple camera angles. Even the "rush the field" fans looked paltry. So sad. Thank goodness the owner can make it work. And bunker ball Lilley gets the job done.
Rhinos would like to move up (with USL) to Div 2 http://www.democratandchronicle.com.../roth-coo-ercoli-is-chief-of-optism/74012210/
Looked like 5,000 fans there to me, Suites were packed, fans standing behind the goal. This Rhinos team was actually fun to watch, very creative with the ball, especially with the short passing game
so happy for this team, it was one of the best, if not the best game ive ever been too, what a way to finish our 20th season
That article is well done. I remember games at Frontier field and I'm happy the team still exists. I am happy they won the USL title - maybe this is the start of a small rebirth for the team. In the end, I still wish they had made it into MLS all those years ago. It was a fun time in Rochester.
hilites: http://www.socceramerica.com/article/66141/rhinos-celebrate-20th-season-with-first-usl-champi.html
After an outstanding 2015 Rochester Rhino's season and a USL Championship to boot, source is telling me ownership is looking to sell team.— Brian Quarstad (@IMSoccerNews) October 19, 2015 Interestingly, Salvatore "Soccer Sam" Fantauzzo had a couple of notable guests in his suite at Sahlen's Stadium for one of the recent playoff games; those guests being the owner of the Rochester Razorsharks minor league basketball team (a wealthy doctor and businessman from Chicago), and his former co-owner of the now defunct Lancers indoor team. Something cooking perhaps?
Thats hilarious. They finally win something (in recent memory) and they want to sell. Seems this might have been Clark's charity plan the whole time. Lord knows its way past due.
Yeah, it wasn't hard to figure that Clark and his family bank business were in it mainly to protect their investment (i.e. loans to the previous owners), so news of a potential sale isn't surprising. The timing is funny though; right after the team wins its first championship in 14 years. More focused local ownership would certainly be a good thing, and while I'm not always fond of Sam's version of 'sizzle', the organization could use a healthy dose of it.
For what it's worth, @RochesterRhinos owner Rob Clark just told me "team is not for sale." @USL— Jeff DiVeronica (@RocDevo) October 19, 2015 Let the games begin!
Congratulation to the Rhinos and also to the Rampage Supporters group.....if they still exist. If any of you know an old timer (like me) that used to use the handle "SLICK", please hit me up privately, I'd like to reconnect with Bill, the email address I have is old and no longer works. Thanks.
The one thing the article leaves out is the initial TV deal MLS had with ESPN, where they actually got paid instead of paying for air-time. Rochester's TV market is squeezed between Syracuse and Buffalo and even though it has an MSA comparable to Salt Lake City its TV market is miniscule (somewhere in the 75-80 range). Many of the rumors in 2006-2008 were that ESPN nixed any Rochester expansion.