ROCHESTER, N.Y. – The No. 4-seed Rochester Rhinos squares off against the No. 5 seed Charlotte Independence to open the defense of its USL championship in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2016 USL Cup Playoffs at Rhinos Stadium, with Rhinos looking to maintain their strong home form this season against the playoff newcomer. Kickoff is set for 6:05 p.m. ET.

Matchcenter: http://www.uslsoccer.com/game/show/15144036

Rochester Rhinos news and notes

• Regular Season record: 13-5-12, 51pts

• The Rhinos earned a home playoff game to start their championship defense with a 1-0 victory against Toronto FC II at Rhinos Stadium on Saturday, giving the side a 9-2-5 record on home turf this season.

• Rochester wasn’t able to match its record-setting defensive season of 2015, but was still stout at the back as it conceded the second-fewest goals in the Eastern Conference during the regular season.

• Goalkeeper Tomas Gomez played a leading role in that defensive success, and on Monday was awarded the USL Golden Glove for the lowest goals-against average (0.69) in the league.

• For a second consecutive season, the Rhinos’ attack was led by Christian Volesky, who notched 10 goals, and Steevan Dos Santos, who had eight goals and a team-high five assists.

Charlotte Independence news and notes

• Regular Season record: 14-8-8, 50pts

• The Independence earned their first trip to the playoffs after just missing out a season ago thanks to a well-balanced side that finished with the third-highest goal differential in the Eastern Conference.

• Charlotte’s attack was also among the league’s most balanced, as while no player reached double-digit goals, five players in the side finished with at least six tallies, led by Brian Brown and Enzo Martinez’s nine apiece.

• The Independence were edged out of hosting a conference quarterfinal on the final Saturday of the season, as a 1-1 draw against Louisville combined with Rochester’s win sent the Rhinos into fourth place.

• While the Independence are making their first postseason appearance, Jorge Herrera and Henry Kalungi lead a group of players in the squad with prior USL Cup Playoffs experience.

Key Players

• Rochester Rhinos – F Steevan Dos Santos: The Cape Verde forward matched his total of eight goals from a season ago in the regular season, but this year Dos Santos has been far more influential as a playmaker in the attacking third. His combination of speed and size will make for a fascinating matchup against a good Independence defense led by Bilal Duckett and Patrick Slogic.

• Charlotte Independence – M Enzo Martinez: When the Independence played at their best this season, Martinez was usually the catalyst as his two-way play in the center of midfield not only earned possession for his side, but created an attacking threat as well. After a regular season that saw him finish tied for the team-lead with Brian Brown in both goals (9) and assists (5), Martinez will again be key against the Rhinos.

2016 Team leaders

• Goals: Rochester – Christian Volesky, 10; Charlotte – Brian Brown, Enzo Martinez, 9

• Assists: Rochester – Steevan Dos Santos, 5; Charlotte – Enzo Martinez, Brian Brown, 5

Series Notes

• The Rhinos held the Independence scoreless in both of their meetings this season, and took a 1-0 win on the road at Ramblewood Stadium on the penultimate game of the season as Steevan Dos Santos scored the only goal to earn Rochester victory.

Officials

• REF: Henrik Karlsson

• AR1: Zeno Cho

• AR2: Jeffery Cook

• 4TH: Nicholas Buscaglia

Game hashtag:

• #ROCvCLT

Twitter social handles

• Rochester Rhinos – @RochesterRhinos

• Charlotte Independence – @CLTIndependence