By Rochester Rhinos ,

The 2017 season is fast approaching and the returning players couldn’t be more prepared to join their teammates back on the pitch. The hopes for a championship title linger in their thoughts from the recent loss in the 2016 season.

The players sat down and wanted to let fans know what they have been doing in the off-season, what they like about the city of Rochester and what they hope for in the 2017 season.

Sofiane Tergou, Wal Fall, Brandon Beresford, Bradley Kamdem and Ryan James sat down to speak on their off season and the upcoming season.

What activities are you doing in the off season?

Sofiane Tergou : I’m playing indoor soccer for the Baltimore Blast in the MASL. We are practicing every morning like the Rhinos do in regular season. So, I’m keeping my soccer routine. It’s awesome to be able to play soccer even during the offseason at a professional level. It will allow me to keep myself ready for the upcoming season with the Rhinos.

Bradley Kamdem : I am spending the majority of my time with my family. Since I left home for college, I haven’t had much time to see my family. Whenever I get a break I try to go home and spend some quality time but it’s not always easy and my siblings grow up so quick! At home is where I feel the best so I don’t need to do anything special but just enjoy each other’s company.

How did celebrate the holiday season?

Brandon Beresford : I spent time in California with my family. I don't get to see them all very often so every opportunity I get to head out west I take.

Ryan James : I celebrated Christmas at my house with my cousins and family friends. We ate, enjoy games, and Secret Santa is family tradition within our household. It was a great time to see family that I haven’t seen in a long time.

What are some interesting things you have done in the past couple months?

Wal Fall : I like to travel that was so the most interesting thing I did. The last couple months from time to time I would travel to other cities such as in Amsterdam and Roermond with my friends. Then I was in Africa, in Senegal, with my family.

Sofiane Tergou : After the season I went back to France before coming back to Baltimore. It was very exciting to see again my family and all my friends. I really missed them a lot so you can be sure I enjoyed my time with all of them. Being back at Strasbourg and eating French food again was amazing.

What are you planning on bringing to the 2017 season?

Bradley Kamdem : I am planning on being a big impact offensively while being solid defensively. With my first season under my belt I know what the league is about. My expectation for myself is to hit the ground running whenever given the chance.

Wal Fall : I am bringing my leadership quality to the 2017 season. I want to try to help the new players with the integration with the Rhinos on and off the pitch. Bringing my confidence on and off the pitch from 2016 into the 2017 season.

How do you like the city of Rochester and what it has to offer? What is your favorite thing about it besides the Rhinos?

Ryan James : I love the city of Rochester, not only is there a great team to be a part of, but there are also great fans that are willing to support the team and players on and off the field. My favorite thing probably has to be the amount of festivals that go on. Those festivals bring the city alive.

Brandon Beresford : I really enjoy the fact that it's not a huge city. Growing up in a suburb and going to a small school, I loved the fact that I could get to know people and not just get lost in a crowd. And my favorite thing to do in Rochester is taking a drive around town seeing what's going on. Stopping around some parks and just hanging out. There's always something going on so I didn't get too bored.

What are you hoping the 2017 season holds for the Rhinos as a team?

Sofiane Tergou : For the 2017 season, our goal is to win the championship, there’s no doubt about it. But to reach this goal, we will have to work together, pushing each other to do the best of all of us. We have a great group of players on and off the field. We saw last season our potential and how we improved through games. We have to keep that somewhere in our mind, but this is a new season, new players will join the team and help the team to improve. The league is getting better, it’s not going to be easy, this is why I’m very excited to start the season and to play for the Rhinos.

Bradley Kamdem : Personally I have 3 goals for 2017 and they are to win the regular season, win our conference championship and win the USL title. Last year, I was convinced we were going to go all the way and win the USL title but I was heartbroken when we lost on penalties. In 2017, I will give everything I have and more for the team so we can be the best team in the USL.

Brandon Beresford : I am hoping that we can improve on what was a good season overall in 2016. We finished fourth and I think we could have won some of the games that we tied. So, if we can manage to win when we have this chances we can finish higher and then do well in the playoffs.

Ryan James : As a team, in the 2017 season, in simple terms, I believe the future holds a USL championship title.

Wal Fall : I hope that we will play a strong round of course. Every player wants only the best for this team. I think we can play up, again. Also, play for the title the ultimately, it is only about the title, no player is satisfied with empty hands.

The players will return to the pitch soon with their fellow teammates as the 2017 season approaches.

To purchase your 2017 season tickets for the Rochester Rhinos call (585) 454-3000. For information on season tickets visit rhinossoccer.com/tickets.