Rochester looking to beat Richmond for the first time since 2012.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The 4th-place Rochester Rhinos (11-6-10; 43 points) finish their three-match road trip against the 14th-place Richmond Kickers (6-14-8; 26 points) at 7 pm Saturday at City Field in Richmond.
The two teams played to a 1-1 draw in Rochester on May 21, when Kenardo Forbes’ 32nd minute goal canceled out a long-range free kick from Raul Gonzalez just before halftime.
The Rhinos have not defeated the Kickers in 9 matches (0-3-6) since a 3-2 triumph in Richmond on June 23, 2012 when J.C. Banks and Andrew Hoxie both scored after the 85th minute.
The Rhinos are coming off a 2-1 loss to 1st-place Louisville City FC on Wednesday, putting their top-4 position at risk with just five matches left in the season.
Rochester currently is on a three-match winless streak, and needs a maximum of 6 points in their last 5 matches to clinch their 21st playoff spot in 22 years.
A loss will officially eliminate the Kickers, who are set to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2003, and just the third time in franchise history (1994, 2003).
Both sides are in contention to still win the inaugural Old Guard Shield – a trophy independently run by the supporters groups of the five oldest teams in the USL. The Kickers are currently 3 points behind Pittsburgh with one match to play, while the Rhinos are four points behind with a match at Pittsburgh on Oct. 7, that very well could determine the champion.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sunny Jane – Jane recently won the USL Player of the Week for his goal and assist in a 2-0 win over Orlando City B to break OCB’s 12-match undefeated streak. The Lesotho international forward comes with a lot of pace and will threaten the Rhinos back line. He has 3 goals and 2 assists this season.
Jochen Graf – Graf put on a display of hustle and heart, eventually getting his goal right before the half in the Rhinos 2-1 loss on Wednesday in Louisville. The 27 year old’s first season in America has been very successful, scoring 7 goals – a pace of one goal every 206 minutes.
TEAM RECORDS
Rochester overall record: 11-6-10, 43 points
Rochester away record: 4-4-6
Streak: L1 (winless in 3)
Richmond overall record: 6-14-8, 26 points
Richmond home record: 5-6-3
Streak: L1
RECENT HEAD TO HEAD
May 21st, 2017 — Capelli Sport Stadium
Rochester Rhinos 1 Richmond Kickers 1
SCORING SUMMARY
ROC – Kenardo Forbes 32’
RIC – Raul Gonzalez 45’
August 3, 2016 – Rochester Rhinos Stadium
Rochester Rhinos 0 Richmond Kickers 1
SCORING SUMMARY
RIC – Yudai Imura 75’
April 9, 2016 – City Stadium
Richmond Kickers 1 Rochester Rhinos 0
SCORING SUMMARY
RIC – Yudai Imura 61’
SEASON LEADERS
RICHMOND
Goals: Alhaji Kamara (4)
Assists: Fred Owusu Sekyere (3)
Points: Alhaji Kamara, Sunny Jane (8)
Shots: Sunny Jane (33)
Chances: Raul Gonzalez (27)
Saves: Matt Turner (60)
Save %: Travis Worra (76.9%)
GAA: Travis Worra (1.00)
ROCHESTER
Goals: Wal Fall (8)
Assists: Kenardo Forbes, Christiano Francois (4)
Points: Wal Fall (18)
Shots: Kenardo Forbes (42)
Chances: Kenardo Forbes (41)
Saves: Tomas Gomez (38)
Save %: Tomas Gomez (70.4%)
GAA: Tomas Gomez (0.80)