Match Preview - June 13, 2008
Rochester Rhinos vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
The Rhinos welcome the USL's best side this Friday, as they take on the Vancouver Whitecaps in a match televised on Fox Soccer Channel. Kick-off is slated for 8:00pm at PaeTec Park.
Coming off of a 0-0 draw with Miami last Saturday, the Rhinos passed the Puerto Rico Islanders for 10th place in the USL 1st Division table, with 7 points and a record of 1-4-4. Goalkeeper and club captain Scott Vallow salvaged the point for the Rhinos in the draw, recording his second shutout of the 2008 campaign while making 6 saves in the process.
The Whitecaps currently sit atop the league table, with 22 points stemming from a record of 7-2-1. They are yet to lose on the road, posting a record of 4-0-1 away from Swangard Stadium, and are yet to even concede a goal away from home. Along with having the leage's stingiest defense, conceding just a mere 4 goals while blanking their opponents 7 times through their first 10 contests, they also boast a trio of Rochester connections: striker Eduardo Sebrango (2000) and midfielder Martin Nash (2000-2002) suited up for the Rhinos, and midfielder Tony Donatelli was a late cut from Rhinos training camp in 2006. Sebrango currently leads the Whitecaps in goals (4) and points (9), and ranks fifth and fourth in the league in each respective category..
All-Time: Rochester is 4-6-2 all-time against the Whitecaps/86ers, and are 3-1-1 at home against the Vancouver franchise.
This Season: Vancouver defeated Rochester on May 10 at Swangard Stadium 1-0. Ex-Rhino Eddy Sebrango haunted his former club by netting the lone goal of the match in the 77th minute.
Last 5: Rochester is 1-1-3 in their last 5 matches. Vancouver is 4-0-1 in their last 5, and are currently riding a 4 game winning streak.


