RHINO DROPPINGS
August 8, 2006
Last time out: Greg Howes is officially Mr. August, USL-D1’s answer to Reggie Jackson. Howes has five goals (including two game-winners) in his last five games in August…and he didn’t even start two of them…and two goals came against Montreal. For those of you keeping track at home, that’s an average of 1.45 goals per 90 minutes. Not too shabby, if you ask RD. With Saturday’s strike, Howes moved into a tie for seventh place on the all-time Rhinos scoring table for games played in August, which is silly when you consider he’s played the equivalent of less than four matches.
Howes’ stoppage-time blast was almost enough to erase the memory of Rochester failing to score on Atlanta’s backup goalkeeper and a defense that was playing on zero days rest. Like our friend Yoda would say, “Impressive this was not.” Hopefully the addition of injured players Johnny Menyongar and Frankie Sanfillippo would have made a big difference on the pitch, but we’ll just never know now, will we?
Here’s something we’ll probably never know, either: The results of the Rhinos’ online PTP survey, to which management is pinning their decision regarding the unnecessary music, as well as the overall volume of the PA and its screechy masters. Things were a bit quieter in the first half (by about 5 decibels, but still at levels that can cause permanent hearing loss), but of course, they were right back to the status quo for half number two (often higher than 100, and topping out at 107 dBA). The RD staff feels like chumps, partly for expecting answers or even the discussion of a solution during Saturday’s “town hall” meeting, and partly for believing there was a chance the volume might remain consistent for a full 90 minutes. Yeah, we’re crazy, aren’t we?
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.
Click here for the match preview (a new window will open)
Around the (A-)League: If there was one club in the league you’d never expect to score eight goals in two games, it would have been Toronto…at least until last weekend, when the Lynx nailed down their second consecutive 4-2 victory, on the road against an Atlanta team that has played like Supermen in their new digs. Toronto’s secret? Using a fairly consistent lineup. Who would have thought that would work?
Montreal rode into Virginia Beach with a banged up squad and several suspensions, and rode home with a pair of nifty 1-1 draws. Mauro Biello netted the tying goal in the 82nd minute on Sunday’s contest, meaning he’s scored just three times in 2006…but they’ve all either won or tied the game. In addition to still being without the service of All-Everything goalkeeper Greg Sutton, All-Everything defender Gabe Gervais and All-Everything forward Dan Antoniuk, the Impact also played without Nevio Pizzolitto (both matches), Adam Braz (one), Mauricio Vincello (one), Zé Roberto (one), and Antonio Ribeiro (one) because of suspensions. And they still got two points on a road swing against a playoff team. If anyone thinks these two draws are a sign of weakness for Montreal, RD would like some of what you’re smoking. Roberto, by the way, has only not been carded in four of his last nine starts, but Ribeiro trumps him with five cards over the same stretch. Were it not for a hamstring injury that cost him 10 starts, the latter would be a frontrunner for Thug of the Year.
Eddy Sebrango was back in action for the first time since May 5th as Vancouver rolled over host Puerto Rico by a 3-1 score. Rhinos pre-season reject Tony Donatelli had an assist for the Whitecaps, who held onto their lead despite playing a man down for nearly half of the match. On Sunday, Sebrango assisted on Player of the Week Joey Gjersten’s game-winner as Vancouver toppled Miami FC, 3-2.
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