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.