Rochester New York FC
Rochester New York FC, formerly known as the Rochester Rhinos, was an American professional soccer team based in Rochester, New York, United States.
| Founded | 1996 as Rochester Raging Rhinos |
|---|---|
| Dissolved | March 10, 2023 |
| Stadium | John L. DiMarco Field |
| Capacity | 1,500 |
| Owner | David and Wendy Dworkin[1] Jamie Vardy[2] |
| President | Pat Ercoli |
| Head coach | Vacant |
| League | MLS Next Pro |
| 2022 | 4th, Eastern Conference Playoffs: Conference Semifinals |
| Website | Club website |
Founded in 1996, as the Rochester Raging Rhinos, they changed their name to Rochester Rhinos to start the 2008 season. RNY is the only non-MLS team to have won the U.S. Open Cup since the league's formation.
RNY FC played their first and only season in MLS Next Pro in 2022, and ceased operations before the beginning of the 2023 season. This followed a four year hiatus after the 2017 USL season in the second tier of the United States soccer league system.[3][4]
History
1996–2017
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.[5][6] This win was followed by two further A-League titles in 2000 and 2001.
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.[7]
The team was declared insolvent in 2008 after defaulting on their stadium agreement, and PAETEC Park was seized by the city of Rochester.[8] 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.[9] After two seasons under Clark the club joined the new NASL for its 2010 season.[10] 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.[11] 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.[12][13]
In January 2013, the Rhinos became the official USL Pro affiliate of the New England Revolution.[14] 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.[15]
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.[16] David and Wendy Dworkin, minority owners of the Sacramento Kings basketball team, were identified as the Rhinos' new owners later in the month.[17] The Dworkins were officially announced as the new owners on March 10, 2016.[18]
2017–2023
On November 30, 2017, the Rhinos announced that they would go on hiatus.[19] 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.[20] 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.[20] 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.[21]
On November 30, 2017, the team announced that they would not play in 2018 while additional funding was sought.[22][23] On August 22, 2018, it was announced that the club would pursue a new stadium location and attempt to join USL League One.[24]
In June 2021, Jamie Vardy was announced as co-owner of the franchise and intends to field a team for the 2022 season. 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.[25]
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.[26]
The club returned to play in 2022, and were the only independent club in the new MLS Next Pro league.[4] 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 citing an "unsustainable business model".[27]
Stadiums
- Fauver Stadium; Rochester, New York (1996)
- Frontier Field; Rochester, New York (1996–2005)
- Marina Auto Stadium; Rochester, New York (2006–2017)
- John L. DiMarco Field; Brighton, New York (2022)
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.[28]
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.[29] 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.[30][31]
Club culture
Supporters
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 is the North Star Ultras.
Notable former players
- See also All-time Rochester Rhinos roster
Rochester Rhinos Hall of Fame
- 2011: Lenin Steenkamp
- 2012: Craig Demmin, Doug Miller, Pat Onstad
- 2013: 1999 U.S. Open Cup Team
- 2014: Yari Allnutt, Scott Vallow
- 2015: Darren Tilley, Mali Walton
Retired numbers
- 14 – Mickey Trotman
- 19 – Doug Miller
Head coaches
- Pat Ercoli (1996–2004)
- Laurie Calloway (2005–2007)
- Darren Tilley (2008–2009)[32]
- Bob Lilley (2010–2011)
- Jesse Myers (2012–2013)
- Pat Ercoli (interim, 2013)
- Bob Lilley (2014–2017)
- Bruno Baltazar (2022)
Honors
League
Cups
Record
Year-by-year
| 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 | Doug Miller | 23 | |
| 1997 | A-League | 28 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 56 | 47 | +9 | 42 | 1.50 | 2nd | 9th | R1 | Ro16 | 10,677 | Doug Miller | 23 | |||
| 1998 | A-League | 28 | 24 | 4 | 0 | 72 | 15 | +57 | 72 | 2.57 | 1st | 1st | W | Ro16 | 11,499 | Darren Tilley | 21 | |||
| 1999 | A-League | 28 | 22 | 6 | 0 | 47 | 20 | +27 | 66 | 2.36 | 1st | 1st | RU | W | 11,551 | Mauro Biello | 8 | |||
| 2000 | A-League | 28 | 17 | 9 | 2 | 42 | 25 | +17 | 53 | 1.89 | 3rd | 6th | W | Ro16 | 11,628 | Yari Allnutt | 10 | |||
| 2001 | A-League | 26 | 16 | 6 | 4 | 43 | 27 | +16 | 52 | 2.00 | 2nd | 3rd | W | R2 | 10,789 | Lenin Steenkamp | 9 | |||
| 2002 | A-League | 28 | 17 | 8 | 3 | 38 | 25 | +13 | 54 | 1.93 | 2nd | 4th | SF | Ro16 | 10,008 | Lenin Steenkamp | 8 | |||
| 2003 | A-League | 28 | 15 | 7 | 6 | 55 | 36 | +19 | 51 | 1.82 | 3rd | 7th | SF | Ro16 | 10,169 | Doug Miller | 17 | |||
| 2004 | A-League | 28 | 15 | 10 | 3 | 36 | 32 | +4 | 48 | 1.71 | 4th | 5th | QF | QF | 10,200 | Chris Carrieri | 8 | |||
| 2005 | USL-1 | 28 | 15 | 7 | 6 | 45 | 27 | +18 | 51 | 1.82 | N/A | 2nd | SF | QF | 9,791 | Kirk Wilson | 9 | |||
| 2006 | USL-1 | 28 | 13 | 4 | 11 | 34 | 21 | +13 | 50 | 1.79 | 2nd | RU | Ro16 | 10,110 | Matthew Delicâte | 8 | ||||
| 2007 | USL-1 | 28 | 12 | 10 | 6 | 39 | 36 | +3 | 42 | 1.50 | 5th | QF | Ro16 | 9,705 | Hamed Modibo Diallo | 9 | ||||
| 2008 | USL-1 | 30 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 35 | 32 | +3 | 41 | 1.37 | 4th | SF | Ro16 | 8,243 | Johnny Menyongar | 6 | ||||
| 2009 | USL-1 | 30 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 34 | 32 | +2 | 43 | 1.43 | 6th | QF | SF | DNQ | 6,888 | Johnny Menyongar | 11 | |||
| 2010 | D2 Pro | 30 | 16 | 8 | 6 | 38 | 24 | +14 | 54 | 1.80 | 1st | 1st | QF | Ro16 | 6,464 | Isaac Kissi | 8 | |||
| 2011 | 3 | USL Pro | 24 | 12 | 8 | 4 | 31 | 23 | +8 | 40 | 1.67 | 1st | 4th | SF | Ro16 | 5,339 | Andrew Hoxie Kendall Jagdeosingh | 5 | ||
| 2012 | USL Pro | 24 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 27 | 23 | +4 | 41 | 1.71 | N/A | 2nd | SF | R3 | 6,233 | Andrew Hoxie | 6 | |||
| 2013 | USL Pro | 26 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 25 | 39 | –14 | 28 | 1.08 | 11th | DNQ | R3 | 5,876 | Tam McManus | 7 | ||||
| 2014 | USL Pro | 28 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 29 | 25 | +4 | 38 | 1.46 | 6th | QF | Ro16 | 5,972 | J.C. Banks | 9 | ||||
| 2015 | USL | 28 | 17 | 1 | 10 | 40 | 15 | +25 | 61 | 2.18 | 1st | 1st | W | R4 | 5,599 | Steevan Dos Santos | 9 | |||
| 2016 | USL | 30 | 13 | 5 | 12 | 38 | 25 | +13 | 51 | 1.70 | 4th | 6th | QF | R4 | 3,655 | Christian Volesky | 10 | |||
| 2017 | 2 | USL | 32 | 14 | 7 | 11 | 36 | 28 | +8 | 53 | 1.66 | 4th | 9th | QF | R4 | 2,031 | 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 | N/A | Gibran Rayo | 13 | |
| Total | – | – | 639 | 326 | 181 | 132 | 921 | 649 | +272 | 1113 | 1.74 | – | – | – | – | – | – | Doug Miller | 75 | |
^ 1. Avg. attendance include statistics from league matches only.
^ 2. Top goalscorer(s) includes all goals scored in league play, playoffs, U.S. Open Cup, and other competitive matches.
^ 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.
^ 4. Pts in 2008 excludes one deducted point for fielding an ineligible player.
References
- ^ DiVeronica, Jeff (January 15, 2016). "New Rhinos owners are part owners of Sacramento Kings". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
- ^ "Jamie Vardy: Leicester City striker becomes co-owner of American football club Rochester Rhinos". Sky Sports.
- ^ Rhinos, Rochester (November 30, 2017). "ROCHESTER RHINOS ANNOUNCE DECISIONS FOR 2018 SEASON". Retrieved December 13, 2017.
- ^ a b "Jamie Vardy re-brands US football club Rochester New York FC ahead of professional return". skysports.com. Sky UK. September 1, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
- ^ "Rhinos Knock Off Fourth MLS Team, Drop Rapids 2–0 to Win 1999 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final in Columbus". U.S. Soccer. September 14, 1999. Retrieved October 11, 2017.
- ^ Zeitlin, Dave (June 14, 2016). "The legend of the Rochester Raging Rhinos, last underdog to win US Open Cup". mlssoccer.com. MLS. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
- ^ . sportsillustrated.com. November 8, 2003. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
- ^ City Says It Will Seize PAETEC Park, Citing Default. WYSL.
- ^ Utica businessman buys Rhinos; 2008 season a go. Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
- ^ "ROCHESTER RHINOS JOIN NEW NASL". Retrieved December 13, 2017.
- ^ . USSF Division-2 Pro League. Archived from the original on June 10, 2011.
- ^ . Rhinossoccer.com. Archived from the original on October 19, 2011.
- ^ . Rhinossoccer.com. Archived from the original on October 9, 2011.
- ^ . Rochester Rhinos. January 28, 2013. Archived from the original on February 2, 2013. Retrieved January 30, 2013.
- ^ "Ercoli Returns to Coach Rochester Rhinos". Rhinossoccer.com. May 19, 2013. Retrieved May 20, 2013.
- ^ DiVeronica, Jeff (January 6, 2016). "Clark out as Rhinos owner; USL takes control of team". Rochester Democrat & Chronicle. Retrieved January 9, 2016.
- ^ "New Rhinos owners are part owners of Sacramento Kings". Retrieved December 13, 2017.
- ^ . United Soccer League (USL). March 10, 2016. Archived from the original on March 11, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
- ^ "The Crisis in Constitutionalism", A Machine That Would Go of Itself, Routledge, July 12, 2017, pp. 185–216, doi:10.4324/9781315083384-9, ISBN 9781315083384
- ^ a b Mendola, Nicholas (August 22, 2018). "Rochester Rhinos to move to USL D-3, return by 2020". ProSoccerTalk. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
- ^ "Episode 151: Pat Ercoli (President Rochester Rhinos) Part 2 from Uncle Sam's Soccer Podcast". www.stitcher.com. Retrieved September 23, 2019.
- ^ DiVeronica, Jeff (November 30, 2017). "Rhinos to take one-year hiatus, host 'several' USL matches". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
- ^ Tsujimoto, Ben (November 30, 2017). "Rochester Rhinos to take hiatus from United Soccer League". The Buffalo News. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
- ^ "Rochester Approved for USL Division III". USL DIII. August 22, 2018. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
- ^ "Premier League star Jamie Vardy buys stake in Rochester Rhinos". June 15, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ^ Driffill, Matt (September 1, 2021). "Rhinos no more: Rochester New York FC announces 'new era' of local professional soccer". rochesterfirst.com. Nexstar Media Inc. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
- ^ Woitalla, Mike (March 10, 2023). "Rochester New York FC, co-owned by Jamie Vardy, folds after first MLS Next Pro season". Soccer America. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
- ^ Reichard, Kevin (August 23, 2018). "Rhinos Leaving Marina Auto Stadium, Shifting to USL DIII". Soccer Stadium Digest. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
- ^ Lewis, Michael (June 15, 2021). "An Exclamation Point, Then Question Marks: Rhinos will play temporarily at United Sports Complex, but what league will they compete in and how will they rebrand?". Front Row Soccer. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
- ^ Lewis, Michael (December 7, 2021). "Getting the Right Pitch: When Plan A didn't work out, RNYFC had a back-up one". Front Row Soccer. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
- ^ "John L. DiMarco Field". Monroe Community College Athletics. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
- ^ "Sources: Rhinos will name Tilley head coach". Retrieved December 13, 2017.
- ^ "Division-2 Schedule and Results". USSF Division-2 Pro League.
External links
- Official website