USL News Release

Friday, February 16, 2007

TAMPA, FL -- The Rochester Rhinos and United Soccer Leagues announced today that the 2007 W-League Final Four Championship will be held at PAETEC Park on Friday, August 3rd and Sunday, August 5th.

“The opportunity to host and compete in the W-League Championship is a giant step for the Rhino Women’s team,” commented Rhinos Executive Vice President Matthew Ford. “We relish the opportunity to showcase our team and PAETEC Park on a national level. This is a tremendous challenge, one we accept with excitement, and we look forward to playing against the best teams in W-League.”

The W-League Rhinos are starting their second season in 2007. The women’s soccer club plays in the tough Northern Division. As the host team, Rochester receives an automatic berth to the semifinal. The remaining teams will be determined by the W-League playoffs. The Rochester Rhinos Women begin play on Friday, May 25th with a 7:35 p.m. match against the Toronto Lady Lynx at PAETEC Park.

“Rochester has proven to be an excellent host for high profile events such as league championships over the years, and we are thrilled that they will be the hosts of this year’s W-League Championship,” said USL Vice President Tim Holt. “The resources the Rhinos organization will bring to the event will continue the tradition of quality established by previous hosts such as Vancouver, Ottawa, New Jersey, Hampton Roads and Charlotte.”

Last season, the Rochester Raging Rhinos hosted the 2006 USL First Division Final at PAETEC Park. In the stadium’s inaugural season, the Rhinos also hosted such high-profile events as Drum Corps Associates (DCA) 2006 World Championship, the Empire State Games opening ceremonies, a U.S. Women’s National Team match, and numerous high school soccer and football games.

In 2007, PAETEC Park begins its second season as the home of the Rhinos, W-League Rhinos and Rattlers. The multi-purpose stadium became a reality on Saturday, June 3, 2006, when the first ever game was played at Western New York’s Premier Sports & Entertainment Venue. That evening the Rochester Raging Rhinos hosted the Virginia Beach Mariners in a USL First Division game.
The Rhinos have previously hosted four USL-1 championship games (1998, 2000, 2001 & 2006) as well as the 1997 USL-1 All-Star game. This will be the second time Rochester will host a W-League championship as the Ravens, acquired by the Rhinos two years ago, played host to the 1997 W-League Championship.

National broadcast details for the 2007 W-League Championship will be announced at a later time.