Win Against Rochester Rhinos Would Set Tone For Crucial Saint Louis FC Road Swing

Saint Louis FC begins a critical three-game road trip this weekend as they face the Rochester Rhinos on Saturday evening. After Saturday’s match, the team will stay on the road for games against Toronto FC II and Ottawa Fury FC.

Saint Louis FC and Rochester played to a 0-0 draw back on July 5th in St. Louis.

Tomorrow’s match is set to kick off at 5:05 pm central and can be streamed live on YouTube.

STLFC returns home on Saturday September 9 for a matchup with the Harrisburg City Islanders.

Scroll down for a preview of Saturday’s matchup in Rochester.

The Tulsa Roughnecks visted Toyota Stadium earlier this week for a midweek USL matchup. The visitors scored first and held a 1-0 lead at the half. Mats Bjurman would score early in the second half for the home side and Seth Rudolph would be credited with the 90th minute game-winner in the 2-1 Saint Louis FC win.

The three points earned Wednesday put STLFC above Ottawa on the Eastern conference table and into 11th place. With nine games to go in the regular season, STLFC still finds itself three points out of a playoff spot.

The road swing that begins Saturday is crucial to the club’s playoff hopes. Three wins and nine points would mean that the club returns to St. Louis solidly in the USL playoff picture. Poor results would have players playing the rest of the season for jobs next season instead.

Rhinos Have Three Wins In Last Five

Three of Rochester’s nine wins on the season have come in their last five matches. Two of the Rhino’s five losses have also come in the last three matches.

Last weekend, the Charleston Battery came to Capelli Sport Stadium in Rochester and left with a 1-0 win. Charleston’s Justin Portillo scored the game-winner in the 83rd minute for the visitors and earned USL Team of the Week honors in the process.

Rochester’s goaltending duo of Tomas Gomez and Daniel Lynd has recorded 10 clean sheets this season, the second highest total in the league. Over the team’s last three games out, Rochester has been outscored 3 goals to 2 in going 1-2.

Wal Fall leads Rochester in scoring with 7 goals on the season. The 24-year old German midfielder stand 6′ 3″ and have scored the majority of his goals from inside the penalty area.

Rochester will be without captain Kenardo Forbes Saturday as he serves the last of his three-game suspension for violent play in the club’s August 5 match.

Scouting Capelli Sport Stadium

Capelli Sport Stadium in Rochester, New York is the home of the Rochester Rhinos as well as a Rochester Rattlers of Major League Lacrosse. The soccer-specific stadium has also hosted drum and bugle corps competitions, football, field hockey and boxing events.

The stadium has been known by a variety of different names since opening in 2006. Sportswear company Capelli Sport took over the naming rights before this season and also became the official supplier for the Rhinos.

Capelli seats 13,768, but packed in 15,404 fans for a 2011 Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) match between the Western New York Flash and Magicjack. The Flash roster featured U.S. Women’s National Team legend Abby Wambach, who is from Rochester.

The Rhinos have drawn an average of 2,319 fans per game this season to Capelli, which also features the Genesee Brew House Beer Garden.

Tickets for Rhinos matches start at $15 for general admission and range up to $70 for field seats behind the team bench. Saturday is Bark at the Park night for the Rhinos. Fans can purchase tickets in the “Bark Zone” for $15 and bring their dog to the game. The club will donate a portion of the proceeds to the Meals on Wheels Pet Food Program.

Saint Louis FC Returns Home September 9

After spending time in New York and Canada, Preki and company return to St. Louis to take on the Harrisburg City Islanders on September 9. The game will start a three-game homestand for the club that also includes contests against Orlando City B and FC Cincinnati.

Tickets for the games at Toyota Stadium at World Wide Technology Soccer Park can be purchased online at SaintLouisFC.com or by calling 636-680-0997.

Stream Saint Louis FC v Rochester Saturday

All USL games this season are streamed live for free on YouTube.

Want to watch the game with friends? Join the St. Louligans supporters group at International Tap House in Soulard for a little ketchup on your steak.

If you’re in the St. Charles county area, head out to Hattrick’s Irish Pub in O’Fallon.

Saint Louis FC v Rochester Aug 26, 2017 #rocvstl

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