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Rochester Rhinos

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Rochester Rhinos, formerly known as the Rochester Raging Rhinos, was an American soccer team based in Rochester, New York, United States. The club won the 1999 U.S. Open Cup, marking the only time a non-MLS team has won the U.S. Open Cup since MLS started play in 1996.

Founded in 1996 as the Rochester Raging Rhinos, they changed their name to Rochester Rhinos to start the 2008 season. The club began a four-year hiatus after the 2017 USL season in the second tier of the United States soccer league system.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The team then rebranded as Rochester New York FC and played its first and only season in MLS Next Pro in 2022, but departed before the beginning of the 2023 season.<ref name="sky">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Rochester NY FC ceases operations, will not play in 2023 by AJ Feldman at Rochester First, 10 March 2023</ref><ref>Update on Rochester New York FC and MLS NEXT Pro, MLS Press Release, 10 Mar 2023</ref>

The club was affiliated with the youth club Empire United Soccer Academy, which rebranded as Rochester New York FC Youth and continues to operate as a separate club. The youth club currently has a team in the United Premier Soccer League.

HistoryEdit

1996–2017Edit

Rochester Raging Rhinos was founded in 1996 and played in the now-defunct original A-League until it merged with the USISL for the 1997 season, creating the new A-League. After reaching the championship game in 1996 they won their first league championship in 1998.

In 1999 the club made it to the final of the U.S. Open Cup, where they defeated MLS club Colorado Rapids 2–0, becoming the first team from outside MLS to win the national cup since MLS's inception.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web

}}</ref> This win was followed by two further A-League titles in 2000 and 2001.

File:2000 Rochester Raging Rhinos team photograph.jpg
The 2000 Rochester Raging Rhinos team

A year after the A-League's renaming to the USL First Division in 2005, the Rhinos moved into the newly completed PAETEC Park, a 13,768-seat soccer-specific stadium now known as Rochester Community Sports Complex Stadium, and again made the championship game. The Rhinos were considered a candidate to be an MLS expansion team when PAETEC Park was in the planning stages.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The team was declared insolvent in 2008 after defaulting on their stadium agreement, and PAETEC Park was seized by the city of Rochester.<ref>City Says It Will Seize PAETEC Park, Citing Default Template:Webarchive. WYSL.</ref> After a brief search for a new owner and investor who could improve the team's financial outlook, in March 2008 the club was taken over by Utica businessman Rob Clark. Clark changed the team's name to the "Rochester Rhinos," and assured that the financial situation of the team was stable and it would be able to play the next year.<ref>Utica businessman buys Rhinos; 2008 season a go. Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.</ref> After two seasons under Clark the club joined the new NASL for its 2010 season.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The United States Soccer Federation refused the NASL's application for sanctioning, and instead operated its own temporary second-division league for 2010. The Rhinos were part of that temporary USSF Division 2 Professional League.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Rhinos switched leagues again before the 2011 season to the then third-division USL Pro league, who considered themselves equally competitive with the second-division NASL.

The 2011 season ended with the Rhinos first in their division followed by a playoff season that lasted two games. The Rhinos saw off the Pittsburgh Riverhounds 4–0 in first round of the playoffs and then lost 2–1 at home to the Harrisburg City Islanders to finish the season. At the end of the season, head coach Bob Lilley was replaced by Jesse Myers, most recently an assistant coach of the Richmond Kickers.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In January 2013, the Rhinos became the official USL Pro affiliate of the New England Revolution.<ref name="revsrhinos">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On May 19, Following a 1–6–1 start to the 2013 season, Myers was dismissed and Pat Ercoli named head coach. They missed the playoffs for the first time ever, finishing with a 6–10–10 record.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The league revoked the Clark family's ownership of the club in January 2016, citing the revocation of the lease on Rochester Rhinos Stadium by the City of Rochester. The league took over operations of the club until it could be sold to a new ownership group.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> David and Wendy Dworkin, minority owners of the Sacramento Kings basketball team, were identified as the Rhinos' new owners later in the month.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Dworkins were officially announced as the new owners on March 10, 2016.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

2017–2023Edit

File:Rochester New York FC logo.svg
Crest of Rochester New York FC, the club's name during its final season.

On November 30, 2017, the Rhinos announced that they would go on hiatus to seek additional funding.<ref>Template:Citation</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After almost a year of silence the team announced that it planned to move to the new third division league USL League One and return to the field in 2020.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead link</ref> Moreover, the team announced that it had reached a deal with the City to vacate Marina Auto Stadium and stated it would be searching a site to build a new stadium.<ref name=":0" /> Towards the end of the first USL League One season, the Rhinos' President Pat Ercoli announced on Uncle Sam's Soccer Podcast that due to delays and pacing of the development of the Rhinos' new stadium that the team would likely sit out the 2020 season and relaunch in 2021.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In June 2021, Jamie Vardy was announced as co-owner of the franchise and intends to field a team for the 2022 season.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Lee Tucker, who was the project leader at Vardy’s successful V9 Academy – which gave opportunities to non-League players in England seeking to break into the professional game, will be appointed Sporting Director.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> While it was originally announced that Jamie Vardy had "bought a minority stake" and given "significant investment", it was later confirmed that he was given his ownership stake as a publicity stunt.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On September 1, 2021, it was announced that the club had gone through an extensive makeover as part of the club’s rebirth, the Rhinos had a complete rebrand to Rochester New York FC or RNYFC for short, and had a new logo introduced. The new club badge features an abstract rendering of Rochester's High Falls waterfall.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The club returned to play in 2022, and were the only independent club in the new MLS Next Pro league.<ref name="sky"/> They made the playoffs but were eliminated in the quarterfinals. On March 10, 2023, Rochester New York FC withdrew from MLS Next Pro and ceased operations<ref name=first>Rochester NY FC ceases operations, will not play in 2023 by AJ Feldman at Rochester First, 10 March 2023</ref> citing an "unsustainable business model".<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

StadiumsEdit

File:MCC DiMarco Field.JPG
John L. DiMarco Field at Monroe Community College

The Raging Rhinos first began play in 1996 at Fauver Stadium, a soccer venue at the University of Rochester. They then played at Frontier Field, a Minor League Baseball park, from 1996 to 2005.

Starting in 2006, the team played in Marina Auto Stadium, a soccer-specific stadium built for their use. When the Rhinos went on hiatus at the end of 2017, they originally sought to remain at the stadium, scheduling neutral-site USL matches during the 2018 season to meet the terms of their lease. However, in August 2018 the team announced they would be seeking a new venue.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In June 2021, when the team announced a new co-owner ahead of a planned return to play in 2022, they indicated they would play at Empire United Soccer Complex in Henrietta, New York. However, Empire United's field had no stands, concessions, or other amenities, and would have required upgrades for professional soccer use.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In order to be ready for a March 2022 kickoff in MLS Next Pro, the team announced in December 2021 that they would instead play at John L. DiMarco Field, a 1,500-capacity soccer and lacrosse venue at Monroe Community College in Brighton, New York.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

Club cultureEdit

SupportersEdit

Rochester New York FC had two major supporters' groups. Founded in 2011, the Oak Street Brigade previously occupied section 101 at Capelli Sport Stadium, the former home of the Rochester Rhinos. The other major supporters' group was the North Star Ultras.

Notable former playersEdit

Rochester Rhinos Hall of FameEdit

Retired numbersEdit

Notes

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Head coachesEdit

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HonorsEdit

LeagueEdit

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CupsEdit

RecordEdit

Year-by-yearEdit

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Season League Position Playoffs USOC Continental / Other Average attendance Top goalscorer(s)
Div League Pld W L D GF GA GD Pts PPG Conf. Overall Name Goals
1996 2 A-League 27 14 13 0 44 42 +2 42 1.56 N/A 5th RU RU Ineligible 9,991 Template:Flagicon Doug Miller 23
1997 A-League 28 14 14 0 56 47 +9 42 1.50 2nd 9th R1 Ro16 10,677 Template:Flagicon Doug Miller 23
1998 A-League 28 24 4 0 72 15 +57 72 2.57 1st 1st W Ro16 11,499 Template:Flagicon Darren Tilley 21
1999 A-League 28 22 6 0 47 20 +27 66 2.36 1st 1st RU W 11,551 Template:Flagicon Mauro Biello 8
2000 A-League 28 17 9 2 42 25 +17 53 1.89 3rd 6th W Ro16 11,628 Template:Flagicon Yari Allnutt 10
2001 A-League 26 16 6 4 43 27 +16 52 2.00 2nd 3rd W R2 10,789 Template:Flagicon Lenin Steenkamp 9
2002 A-League 28 17 8 3 38 25 +13 54 1.93 2nd 4th SF Ro16 10,008 Template:Flagicon Lenin Steenkamp 8
2003 A-League 28 15 7 6 55 36 +19 51 1.82 3rd 7th SF Ro16 10,169 Template:Flagicon Doug Miller 17
2004 A-League 28 15 10 3 36 32 +4 48 1.71 4th 5th QF QF 10,200 Template:Flagicon Chris Carrieri 8
2005 USL-1 28 15 7 6 45 27 +18 51 1.82 N/A 2nd SF QF 9,791 Template:Flagicon Kirk Wilson 9
2006 USL-1 28 13 4 11 34 21 +13 50 1.79 2nd RU Ro16 10,110 Template:Flagicon Matthew Delicâte 8
2007 USL-1 28 12 10 6 39 36 +3 42 1.50 5th QF Ro16 9,705 Template:Flagicon Hamed Modibo Diallo 9
2008 USL-1 30 11 10 9 35 32 +3 41 1.37 4th SF Ro16 8,243 Template:Flagicon Johnny Menyongar 6
2009 USL-1 30 11 9 10 34 32 +2 43 1.43 6th QF SF DNQ 6,888 Template:Flagicon Johnny Menyongar 11
2010 D2 Pro 30 16 8 6 38 24 +14 54 1.80 1st 1st QF Ro16 6,464 Template:Flagicon Isaac Kissi 8
2011 3 USL Pro 24 12 8 4 31 23 +8 40 1.67 1st 4th SF Ro16 5,339 Template:Flagicon Andrew Hoxie
Template:Flagicon Kendall Jagdeosingh		 5
2012 USL Pro 24 12 7 5 27 23 +4 41 1.71 N/A 2nd SF R3 6,233 Template:Flagicon Andrew Hoxie 6
2013 USL Pro 26 6 10 10 25 39 –14 28 1.08 11th DNQ R3 5,876 Template:Flagicon Tam McManus 7
2014 USL Pro 28 10 10 8 29 25 +4 38 1.46 6th QF Ro16 5,972 Template:Flagicon J.C. Banks 9
2015 USL 28 17 1 10 40 15 +25 61 2.18 1st 1st W R4 5,599 Template:Flagicon Steevan Dos Santos 9
2016 USL 30 13 5 12 38 25 +13 51 1.70 4th 6th QF R4 3,655 Template:Flagicon Christian Volesky 10
2017 2 USL 32 14 7 11 36 28 +8 53 1.66 4th 9th QF R4 2,031 Template:Flagicon Jochen Graf 11
2018 On Hiatus
2019
2020
2021
2022 3 MLSNP 24 10 8 6 37 30 +7 40 1.67 4th 9th QF R4 DNQ 1,096 Template:Flagicon Gibran Rayo 13
Total – – 639 326 181 132 921 649 +272 1113 1.74 – – – – – – Template:Flagicon Doug Miller 75

<templatestyles src="Citation/styles.css"/>^{{#if:| }} 1. Avg. attendance include statistics from league matches only.
<templatestyles src="Citation/styles.css"/>^{{#if:| }} 2. Top goalscorer(s) includes all goals scored in league play, playoffs, U.S. Open Cup, and other competitive matches.
<templatestyles src="Citation/styles.css"/>^{{#if:| }} 3. Points and PPG have been adjusted from non-traditional to traditional scoring systems for seasons prior to 2003 to more effectively compare historical team performance across seasons.
<templatestyles src="Citation/styles.css"/>^{{#if:| }} 4. Pts in 2008 excludes one deducted point for fielding an ineligible player.

ReferencesEdit

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