Rhinos Get Hammered In Lions' Den
By: Thad Brown
Updated: July 14, 2012
Top of the table Orlando City defeated the Rochester Rhinos 4:0 in
Florida's Citrus Bowl on Saturday, July 14th.
City used three goals in the first half hour to put the game out of
reach. The victory
opens up an 11 point gap between Rochester and Orlando City with five
matches left on the Rhinos 2012 USL PRO regular season schedule. The
Rochester Rhinos will finish the weekend in third place, and they will
look to regroup next Saturday night against Pittsburgh
in Sahlen's Stadium.
Rhinos
coach Jesse Myers made four changes to the lineup that played to a 0:0
draw in Wilmington on Thursday night. An injury to star winger JC Banks
forced him from the
lineup, and Danny Earls moved up from left back to the wing to replace
him. An injury to right winger Quavas Kirk forced Myers to start Conor
Chinn on the right. Forward Tom McManus returned to the starting lineup
and replaced Andrew Hoxie. Drew Cost replaced
Michael Tanke in center midfield. Rookie Chris Estridge made his first
start of the season at left back.
Orlando City opened the scoring in the 10th
minute.
After an extended spell of possession the Lions played Kevin Molino in
behind the Rhinos back four on the right flank. The Rhinos four
defenders all had their hands in the air asking for an offside call, but
none was given. Molino used the time and space
he had to play a perfect cross to Matthew Luzunaris on the back post for
a tap-in finish.
The
Lions doubled their lead five minutes later. Adama Mbengue was fouled
by Rhinos center midfielder Tyler Rosenlund 25 yards out from the
Rochester goal. The Rhinos built
an eight man wall to defend the free kick, but Jerome Mechack hit a
knuckling free kick that beat the wall and left goalkeeper Kristian
Nicht with no chance.
Orlando City struck again in the 27th
minute.
Luke Boden drove a corner into the box from the right flank. 2011 USL
PRO Defender of the Year Rob Valentino headed the set piece home to give
City a 3:0 lead in Florida's Citrus Bowl.
Rodrigo Lopez finished the scoring with a spot kick in the 73rd
minute.
The next Rhinos home game is Saturday, July 21st
at 7PM against Pittsburgh in Sahlen's Stadium.
