Rhinos Game-Night

The Rhinos take on the Seattle Sounders for the final time tonight, unless they meet in the playoffs. The Rhinos are looking for their first Road victory of the season and i'm not too sure if they can get it in Seattle. The Rhinos tied them earlier this season at the StarFire Complex just out-side of Seattle 1-1 and beat them 1-0 at Pae Tec Park just last Friday on a Luke Kreamalmeyer goal.

Seattle has not lost at home yet though this season. They are playing their first home game tonight since June 28th's 1-1 draw against Montreal. They will be poised to win tonight.

Injury crisis also hits the Rhinos camp at the wrong time. The team is not expected to have Ross Smith, Tenywa Bonseu, Ze Roberto, Tiger Fitzpatrick, and Johnny Menyongar tonight.

If i were the manager-
Vallow - Ball, Palguta, Loera, Earls - Kreamalmayer, Guppy, Gregor, Martinez - Salles, Delicate

I am interested to see if we are going to get another chance to see Darren Tilley's boy Evan Milward at some point tonight?

Prediction- Gotta stay positive, 2-1 Rhinos. Salles and Guppy with goals.

FSC Update.....

Miami FC @ Montreal Impact.... tonight 8pm on Fox Soccer Channel. Good for a pre-game before the Rhinos take on Seattle later in the night.

0-0 Draw

I truly did favor the tactic coach Darren Tilley used tonight vs. Miami. He played "backup" offensive players, such as Matthew Delicate and Rey Martinez and started Andrew Gregor as a central attacking midfielder. All three have something in common..... All are very desperate to impress Tilley before it's too late. Knowing that even 1 goal could win it for the Rhinos, it was smart to play 3 players with talent who are fighting for a chance to get increased playing time. Too bad for the Rhinos, Delicate and Martinez both played poorly, and without pace to their game. Delicate seemed lost, and Martinez didn't seem to care. I don't understand how a player who has barley played all season, finally starts, and is jogging to a 50/50 ball vs. the keeper just 12 minutes into the match. Uncalled for. I think i'd prefer to see Evan Milward play instead of Martinez from now on. Gregor however, i thought played well. In the first half, he didn't do much, but didn't have much to work with, with Deli and Rey, however in the second half with Mauricio Salles and Johnny Menyongar in, Gregor played great and set up many plays.

All that said, i feel tonight was a successful night for the Rhinos. The referees were horrid, which didn't help the Rhinos. Atleast 3 penalty kicks could have been called for the Rhinos. And Miami played a bunker defensive system all match. Boring boring boring. Tilley tried to get one past them, which probably would have opened up the flood gates, but we just didn't have it in us. Not bad though, 7 points out of a possible 9 in our last three matches.

Rhinos ready for Miami

Now that the rain storm has come and left, we are ready for a dry night of football at Pae Tec Park. Weather.com reports Partly Cloudy all night tonight with temperatures around 75'F at kickoff.



I have a good feeling about this game tonight. Miami had to fly into town last night after their game vs. Puerto Rico on Friday, which they won 1-0, should be a little tired. Miami in their last 8 league games has only allowed one goal. Which means, they are due. If the Rhinos keep Alex Afonso off the score sheet, i don't see the Rhinos losing. And i don't expect Ross Smith and Scott Palguta to come short in their matchup. Miami has probably the best defense in the league, however, the Rhinos offense is smoking hot, and I think they may put on a show tonight.

Prediction: 2-0 Rhinos. (Salles and Gregor)

And yes, i do expect to see Gregor play alot more tonight after Steve Guppy played a full 90 on Friday. I wouldn't even be suprised if Gregor is starting tonight.

And once again, thanks for reading my blog.

"We could have done better"

Is what coach Darren Tilley said on Saturday mornings radio show "Kick This" on WHTK 1280. I think we are starting to see the team mold into what Tilley wants them to play like. The team is playing great football right now. Their passing is fantastic and they are playing well behind the ball. The defense, led by Ross Smith is playing great too. The team is riding a two game win streak, and if they beat Miami on Sunday, they can jump over several teams and be legit contenders for a top-3 spot in the USL First Division standings. What a difference a few games makes, eh?

Tilley keeps saying the right things. Still doesn't think this team is playing to it's full capacity. Still says there is alot of work. And i think that is the best attitude a championship caliber team can have.

The schedule favors the Rhinos in the next 11. Assuming the Rhinos win on Sunday (knock on wood), the team plays 8 of it's following 11 against clubs BELOW them in the standings, including 5 at the Friendly confines of Pae Tec Park.

I think the debates on various blogs and web sites about Laurie Calloway vs. Darren Tilley can be shut down, it's obvious Tilley has a plan, has a vision and most importantly, has a goal and the team is all ears. Go Rhinos!

Trade After Math

I love the deal the Rhinos pulled. The Rhinos received midfielder Andrew Gregor and traded away Chase Harrison and Hamad Diallo, two players who were rotting on the bench. The bad of course, is what if Diallo hurts us in the playoffs? That's a pretty big if however. I'm more confident with our defense matching up against Carolina's offense any day of the week, and add depth to it, to give coach Darren Tilley more options, it seems like a no brainier.

Harrison i will miss though. But let's not forget that new backup Tim Melia raised a few eye brows in pre-season, not only from fans, but from Matt Ford too, who raved about him. And Harrison, this should be a happy moment for him. He was not ever going to start in Rochester, Scott Vallow isn't going to Major League Soccer or Europe, and thus staying here, where he has a family and a good life. As long as Scotty is in town, he's the starter. Harrison going to Portland just shows he's done a great job, he's impressed another team and has a legit chance to be a starter.

As for Gregor, i like his style of play. Tough minded player. He will be in opponents face all the time and won't back down from physical play. This is the USL after all, a very physical league and skilled teams don't tent to do well, but rugged teams do well. He will help the Rhinos in that department.

Side note, i've heard from multiple sources the Rhinos are not dealing. The name that keeps popping up is Matthew Delicate. I don't know if i would deal him, but i think clearing a spot and even a International spot by dealing Diallo, that Matt Ford is looking for a deal. If it's Delicate or not, i think it's pretty positive to say, Rhinos will add another striker real soon.... stay tuned.

I'm back - Sorry

I was out of town for business. Just returned in time for the game against Seattle.... the blog is still alive, don't you worry, Rhinos Nation.