Nickname(s) | Raging Rhinos |
---|---|
Founded | 1996 (20 years ago) |
Stadium |
Capelli Sport Stadium Rochester, New York |
Capacity | 13,768 |
Owner | David and Wendy Dworkin |
Head Coach | Bob Lilley |
League | USL |
2016 | 4th, Eastern Conference Playoffs: Conference Semifinals |
Website | Club home page |
The Rochester Rhinos are an American professional soccer team based in Rochester, New York, United States. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the United Soccer League in the second tier of the United States soccer league system.
The team plays its home games at Capelli Sport Stadium, formerly known as PAETEC Park, where they have played since 2006. The team's colors are black, white and green. The team is coached by veteran head coach Bob Lilley.
The club has been known at times as the Rochester Raging Rhinos.
The team 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. The A-League was renamed the USL First Division in 2005. In 2006 the Rhinos moved into the newly completed PAETEC Park, a 13,768-seat soccer-specific stadium.
The Rhinos have prided themselves on upholding a high level of play over their 20-year history. The team made the playoffs every season until 2013. They reached the championship game seven times (1996, 1998–2001, 2006, 2015). The Rhinos have been league champions four times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2015). They also won the 1999 U.S. Open Cup, becoming the only non-Major League Soccer team to win the cup since MLS began play in 1996. The Rhinos hold a record of 10–15 versus MLS teams in the U.S Open Cup.
The Rhinos were considered a candidate to be an expansion team at the MLS level when PAETEC Park was in the planning stages.