RHINO DROPPINGS
May 3, 2006
Last time out: The Rhinos once again looked silly in the playoffs, losing 3-1 in Richmond before hosting an “exciting” 1-1 draw against the Kickers in the lackluster farewell match for Frontier Field and its feculent PA system. If you don’t count the goal Richmond scored on themselves in Game One, or Doug Miller’s penalty kick in Game Two, Rochester hasn’t scored during the run of play in a postseason match since the first game of the 2003 playoffs. That might not sound like an eternity, but the streak is up to seven games. If you really want to get crazy and average out their scoreboard antics over the last four postseasons…well, here you go: Six goals (including the two mentioned above) in 12 matches. Whatever the opposite of Reggie Jackson is, this club has found the formula and guzzled its results as if it were the nectar of the gods.
Next up: This year, RD is proud to partner with soccersam.com to bring you Special New Match Previews, which are going to be the same as the Regular Old Match Previews, only in a different location. And probably a different layout. We’re still working on that.
Click here for the match preview (a new window will open)
Where have you gone, Andy Restrepo? John Wolyniec has appeared in just one of the Crew’s five matches, losing favor to 2006 draft pick Kei Kamara and ex-Puerto Rico forward Sebastian Rozental. John Wilson started DC United’s first two matches, but hasn’t played in their last two. Carlos Mendes has played every minute of the Red Bull’s winless stretch, and Pat Onstad has amassed a 3-0-2 record with a higher-than-expected 1.40 GAA with the Dynamo.
Around the (A-)League: Sunday’s match between Montreal and Puerto Rico set standard that will be tough to top in 2006: Three ejections, and 12 yellow cards (to go along with 51 total fouls). The game’s loan goal was scored by Islander-to-Impacter Mauricio Salles, who made the Team of the Week. Kirk Wilson has yet to suit up for the Impact because of an ankle injury, joining Masahiro Fukazawa (sprained foot) on the Montreal disabled list. Sadly, the Impact don’t play again until May 13, which means these injuries, Zé Roberto’s mandatory one-match suspension from Sunday’s red card, and this week’s CNMT call-ups of Patrick Leduc, Adam Braz, and Antonio Ribeiro won’t affect a single fricking thing in league play.
RD was surprised by Charleston’s 3-0 thumping of Virginia Beach on Saturday night, but would like to buttress its lofty expectations for the Mariners in the 2006 Season Preview by making it clear that Craig Demmin and Pato Aguilera have yet to play. Greg Simmonds, the season’s inaugural Player of the Week, followed up his two-goal performance in Virginia Beach’s opener with a whole lot of nothing, while Battery forward Ian Fuller was tossed in the 82nd minute after receiving his second yellow card of the evening.
Vancouver has jumped out to a 2-0-0 start, without the help of Corey Woolfolk or Eduardo Sebrango (Rochester training camp refugee Tony Donatelli has seen 57 minutes in two appearances off the bench). Goalkeeper Josh Wicks and ex-Montreal defender Adrian Cann have made the Team of the Week twice already.
USL-1 to MLS: Former Seattle star Brent Whitfield picked up his first start for CD Chivas USA, while teammate Preston Burpo is firmly lodged behind Brad Guzan in the goalkeeper depth chart. One has to wonder how many losses will pile up before Burpo is given a chance to perform. Ex-Lynxster Adrian Serioux hasn’t missed a minute for Houston, and former Richmond forward Joey Worthen hasn’t played one for Real Salt Lake.
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