According to Rob Clark on the bulletin board rhinoszone.com, the club has signed Canadian central defender Ross Smith. He last played for Dagenham and Redbridge of League 2 in England. Smith joined the Daggers in 2007 and had made 58 appearances for them. Smith is expected to be in practice on Sunday.
My best guess is, Scott Palguta will move back to Left Back and Smith will join Alfonso Loera at central defense. He should add a pretty good big presence to the Rhinos backline. The signing of Smith pretty much means the rumours of Atiba Charles' career being over may be true.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Rhinos 3:0 Vancouver
The Rochester Rhinos may have played their best game since moving to Pae Tec Park on Friday Night with a whooping of league leaders Vancouver 3-0. It was a very weird beginning to the match. Kickoff was slated at 8pm to be aired live on Fox Soccer Channel but the official kickoff wasn't until shortly before 10pm due to a massive rain storm and thunderstorm in the area. Mauricio Salles began the scoring early in the first half with a world-class strike past the Whitecaps keeper. Johnny Menyonger added a goal in the 2nd half and Salles finished the Whitecaps off with his 2nd of the night. Scotty Vallow was once again huge for the Rhinos. After Salles made it 1-0, Vallow had to make several key stops on Eddy Sebrango and Vancouver to keep them off the score sheet. I thought one of the better players in this match was Danny Earls. Earls dominated the wing. He opened the middle of the field so much because Vancouver needed to put so many players to keep up with Earls and his crosses were perfect, it opened things up for Salles and Menyonger and they didn't hesitate.
Ratings- (1- lowest; 10 highest)
Vallow - 10 - Played the perfect game. Made key saves early in the game after Rhinos made it 1-0. If one of those goes in, the match could have went either way. As one great keeper of the past once said, "It's not many you stop, but when you stop them". He was golden.
Craft - NR - He played well but left the match early with an injury. He didn't appear enough to get a rating.
Loera - 7 - Solid once again. Was beat a few times but overall played a fantastic game.
Palguta- 8 - Rock solid in the back. I think he won every air ball challenge he had. He was determined to win this game and wasn't going to allow Vancouver any room. He was even a threat offensively.
Ball - 6 - Played well, but wasn't really needed on offense. He did lose his cool and made a childish foul which is why he got a 6. Gotta keep you're head in the game.
Kreamalmayer - 6 - Played well but like Ball, he wasn't used as often as he was in the past because of Earls being on the other wing. His defensive play was very good but when he attacked the team wasn't flowing as easily as it was with Earls. Luke has been great for the Rhinos all year but last night was an off-night.
Ze Roberto - 8 - He dominated the central midfield position and was great at spreading the ball out to the wings or up front. This was by far the best match Ze Roberto has played all season for the Rhinos and hopefully we see more of it. He even took some shots and came close several times to scoring.
Fitzpatrick - 8 - Held the Vancouver midfield in check. He played his role perfectly and if he's on his game as he was last night, Rhinos defense really will be one of the best in the league.
Earls - 9 - The 19-year old kid from Ireland, who didn't impress on Tuesday night, played great down the wing. He was flying down the wing and was setting up Salles, Ze Roberto and Menyonger all night long.
Salles - 10 - Amazing performance by Salles. World class strike on the first goal. Then scored again to finish them game off. He could have had more goals if luck was on his side. This is the type of form Salles had when he was League MVP.
Subs-
Sembaluk - 7 - I thought he came in and did well. It's always hard to replace someone just 37 minutes into a match but Sembaluk played well and wasn't beat much. He held his own against arguably the best midfield in the league.
Delicate - NR -
Diallo - NR - Not rated because he didn't have much time to show much, but all i can say it this is a much different Hamad then we've seen all year. I think the Diallo who scored 9 goals in like 7 games last year is about to wake up....
Milward - NR - Also not rated, but you can tell he's just not ready for the USL just yet. Good prospect though.
Notes-
-Big props to all the fans who stayed for the match. Alot of people left, i heard they had just over 7k tickets sold but like 1500 stayed. It doesn't sound like alot, but come on, it was a 10pm kickoff. Huge props to those who stayed.
-Loved the "Steve Nash" sign by the Stampede in section 101. Brilliant stuff.
Ratings- (1- lowest; 10 highest)
Vallow - 10 - Played the perfect game. Made key saves early in the game after Rhinos made it 1-0. If one of those goes in, the match could have went either way. As one great keeper of the past once said, "It's not many you stop, but when you stop them". He was golden.
Craft - NR - He played well but left the match early with an injury. He didn't appear enough to get a rating.
Loera - 7 - Solid once again. Was beat a few times but overall played a fantastic game.
Palguta- 8 - Rock solid in the back. I think he won every air ball challenge he had. He was determined to win this game and wasn't going to allow Vancouver any room. He was even a threat offensively.
Ball - 6 - Played well, but wasn't really needed on offense. He did lose his cool and made a childish foul which is why he got a 6. Gotta keep you're head in the game.
Kreamalmayer - 6 - Played well but like Ball, he wasn't used as often as he was in the past because of Earls being on the other wing. His defensive play was very good but when he attacked the team wasn't flowing as easily as it was with Earls. Luke has been great for the Rhinos all year but last night was an off-night.
Ze Roberto - 8 - He dominated the central midfield position and was great at spreading the ball out to the wings or up front. This was by far the best match Ze Roberto has played all season for the Rhinos and hopefully we see more of it. He even took some shots and came close several times to scoring.
Fitzpatrick - 8 - Held the Vancouver midfield in check. He played his role perfectly and if he's on his game as he was last night, Rhinos defense really will be one of the best in the league.
Earls - 9 - The 19-year old kid from Ireland, who didn't impress on Tuesday night, played great down the wing. He was flying down the wing and was setting up Salles, Ze Roberto and Menyonger all night long.
Salles - 10 - Amazing performance by Salles. World class strike on the first goal. Then scored again to finish them game off. He could have had more goals if luck was on his side. This is the type of form Salles had when he was League MVP.
Subs-
Sembaluk - 7 - I thought he came in and did well. It's always hard to replace someone just 37 minutes into a match but Sembaluk played well and wasn't beat much. He held his own against arguably the best midfield in the league.
Delicate - NR -
Diallo - NR - Not rated because he didn't have much time to show much, but all i can say it this is a much different Hamad then we've seen all year. I think the Diallo who scored 9 goals in like 7 games last year is about to wake up....
Milward - NR - Also not rated, but you can tell he's just not ready for the USL just yet. Good prospect though.
Notes-
-Big props to all the fans who stayed for the match. Alot of people left, i heard they had just over 7k tickets sold but like 1500 stayed. It doesn't sound like alot, but come on, it was a 10pm kickoff. Huge props to those who stayed.
-Loved the "Steve Nash" sign by the Stampede in section 101. Brilliant stuff.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Rhinos Vs. Whitecaps Preview
This is the second time the Rhinos face the Vancouver Whitecaps, who are atop the USL First Division standings as of June 13th, 2008. In the first meeting, the Rhinos lost 1-0 on a goal by former Rhino Eddy Sebrango. Vancouver has won 4 in a row, and in that span has outscored their opponents 7:1. They are led by Sebrango's 4 goals, but their midfield is where they are really lethal. They determine the pace and the speed of the game. The Rhinos are coming from one of their worst games in recent memory, a 2-1 over time victory over RWB Adria in the US Open Cup. Hamad Diallo, despite scoring the game winning goal, had a pretty bad game. I wouldn't expect to see him start. Rhinos need to be on their best game on defense and Scott Vallow can't have any lapses like the goal he allowed late on Tuesday Night. Rhinos need to protect the ball, slow the game in their favor and counter attack. Scoring early is clutch. A goal early by the Rhinos would open things up alot for the Rhinos.
Projected Lineup: Vallow - Craft, Loera, Palguta, Ball - Fitzpatrick, Earls, Kreamalmeyer, Ze Roberto, Menyongar - Salles
I think the Rhinos will play Menyongar more offensive tonight then in recent games, he's probably been the best Rhino attack this season. I think Ze Roberto will be in the middle to add more of a force against the high powered Vancouver midfield and of course Fitzpatrick play central defensive midfield. I also think Danny Earls will make his USL First Division debut, because the Rhinos desperatly need his speed.
Prediction: 2-0 Rhinos.
The Rhinos will come out firing. It's a Fox Soccer Channel game and Pae Tec Park should be filled up. Lots of promotions tonight and lot's of excitement for this game. Early goal by the Rhinos and then again late in the 2nd half to insure a victory.
See ya after the game, bloggers!
-Rhinos Paroxysm
Projected Lineup: Vallow - Craft, Loera, Palguta, Ball - Fitzpatrick, Earls, Kreamalmeyer, Ze Roberto, Menyongar - Salles
I think the Rhinos will play Menyongar more offensive tonight then in recent games, he's probably been the best Rhino attack this season. I think Ze Roberto will be in the middle to add more of a force against the high powered Vancouver midfield and of course Fitzpatrick play central defensive midfield. I also think Danny Earls will make his USL First Division debut, because the Rhinos desperatly need his speed.
Prediction: 2-0 Rhinos.
The Rhinos will come out firing. It's a Fox Soccer Channel game and Pae Tec Park should be filled up. Lots of promotions tonight and lot's of excitement for this game. Early goal by the Rhinos and then again late in the 2nd half to insure a victory.
See ya after the game, bloggers!
-Rhinos Paroxysm
Welcome
Welcome to my blog. Unless you have absolutely nothing to do right now, chances are you’re reading this for some misguided reason. Since this is the first entry on ‘Rhinos Paroxysm’.
The purpose of the blog is twofold. First, and most importantly, it's to provide a quick and concise summary for you, the readers, of the most important events leading up to the matchdays. Give you, the Rhinos fans, a summery and my opinion and predictions. Secondly, I am starting this blog for the same reason most blogs were started... to have this as my own sounding board, if you will. I love watching our Rhinos (and the love varies on how well we play, of course) but what I love just as much is the discussions leading up to the game in terms of formations, tactics, strategy, etc. So that end, I am expecting lots of feedback and comments on my posts.
I will try to add some humor and add some fun into talking Rhinos.
Cheers, and Go Rhinos!
-Rhinos Paroxysm
The purpose of the blog is twofold. First, and most importantly, it's to provide a quick and concise summary for you, the readers, of the most important events leading up to the matchdays. Give you, the Rhinos fans, a summery and my opinion and predictions. Secondly, I am starting this blog for the same reason most blogs were started... to have this as my own sounding board, if you will. I love watching our Rhinos (and the love varies on how well we play, of course) but what I love just as much is the discussions leading up to the game in terms of formations, tactics, strategy, etc. So that end, I am expecting lots of feedback and comments on my posts.
I will try to add some humor and add some fun into talking Rhinos.
Cheers, and Go Rhinos!
-Rhinos Paroxysm
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