Weekend Recap

How can anyone NOT be happy with the latest two results by the Rhinos? The club went to Seattle and scored 3 goals and then shutout Minnesota and winning the match 1-0 on a beauty strike by Johnny Menyonger in the 19th minute. I thought the team played amazingly well against Seattle. Once Luke Kreamalmeyer scored to make it 1-0 Rhinos, the Sounders came right back and tied it 1-1. I was eager to see how Darren Tilley's squad was going to bounce back? They just played better and worked harder. It was a great sign. A sign only the elite teams show. Newcomer Andrew Gregor gave the Rhinos the lead just 10 minutes later and super-sub Matthew Delicate scored late in the match to ensure the victory, 3-1. It was the Rhinos' first away victory and they did it in style.

On Sunday, the Rhinos played against Minnesota. I thought the team played really well again and had much more chances then the Thunder. Rhinos played with good pace to the game. Attacked well and if it wasn't for some solid defending, mostly from former Rhino Kevin Taylor who i thought played a very good game.

This weekend was very promising for the Rhinos. The team got all 6 points, and moved from the near bottom of the standings, to third place. The team is tied with 24points with Vancouver, however ahead of time based on the first tie-breaker, which is goal-differential.

Since that 3-1 loss to Charleston and then the 2-0 loss to DC United in the US Open Cup, the Rhinos have been a different team. Many fans claimed the club had hit "rock bottom" after the loss to the Battery, but since those games, the club is 4-0-1. In those five games, the team has scored 8 goals and only allowing 2. Out of those 8 goals, 5 different players have scored goals, another impressive statistic about the parity of this team and how well rounded it is.

Ross Smith and Tiger Fitzpatrick: Very interesting to note, the Rhinos were without their 2 stars on defense this weekend. Without central defender Ross Smith and central defensive midfielder Tiger Fizpatrick. Both missed both games due to injuries. However, Tenywa Bonseu filled in nicely for Smith at central defense, and Alfonso Loera found himself back in the starting eleven, but in Tiger's spot at central defensive midfield. Tilley seemed very happy about Loera's play on Friday and said so on Kick This the Soccer Show on WHTK 1280 on Saturday morning. Tilley said that he's not exactly Tiger, but does bring several other features to our team that Tiger doesn't. I think Tilley is realizing what great depth he really has. Both should be back in the starting lineup on Friday night against Montreal.

It's great to be Rhinos fans right now. Team is playing really well right now and i still think the team can get better. One thing i'm really curious about is if Matt Ford will make any more deals? I still think the club lacks a true scorer, i really like Maurico Salles, but the guy is just too inconstant, i also think, Delicate has played well the last two games and has risen his value to maybe open up a trade.... who knows. Rhinos in 3rd place, not only win their first away match but outscore their two opponents 4-1....