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Rhinos Control Play, Settle for Draw with NYRBII

By CHARLIE CORR - charlie.corr@uslsoccer.com, 07/02/16, 5:45PM EDT

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Host Red Bulls II extend unbeaten streak to nine games during 0-0 stalemate


Photo courtesy of New York Red Bulls II

HARRISON, N.J. – Goals continue to be difficult to come by when the New York Red Bulls II and Rochester Rhinos square off. The Rhinos dictated the play on the road Saturday and played to a scoreless draw against the Red Bulls II at Red Bull Arena. The defending USL champion Rhinos and NYRBII played to a 0-0 draw on April 17 at Red Bull Arena. New York, which is second in the Eastern Conference, moved to 9-1-5 (32 points) overall, 4-1-4 at home, and extends its unbeaten streak to nine games (6-0-3). Rochester is now 6-4-4 (22 points) and 2-3-2 on the road.
 
Scoring:
None

Three Things That Mattered:

  • 1. Rochester thought it had the game’s first score in the 56th minute off of a set piece chance. Kenardo Forbes, who was wearing the captain’s armband and had provided several strong free kicks and corners in the opening half, had another chance early in the second half to get his side on the score sheet. His free kick from the far left went untouched and into the back of the net, but officials ruled that an offside run affected the play in front of NYRBII goalkeeper Ryan Meara and thus the match remained scoreless. In the 68th minute, Forbes struck a free kick toward the inside of the right post, but Meara read the situation well and lunged to his left for the save.

  • 2. The Red Bulls II continue to struggle offensively against the Rhinos. For the fourth time in five regular-season games over the past two seasons, New York’s offense was shut out. Rochester truly dictated the play on both sides of the ball, slowing down the match against a NYRBII team that likes to possess and attack with pace. However, New York resorted to some anxious passes and long shot attempts and had difficulties trying to mount anything against the Rochester defense.

  • 3. The first half was limited on the offensive ends, with Rochester’s Christian Volesky proving to be one of the few threats for both sides. Volesky’s best opportunity was a strong individual effort in the 25th minute to get past a pair of Rhinos defenders. He attempted a right-footed shot toward the left of the frame but Meara made the leg save. Just six minutes earlier, Volesky created a run toward goal but he nearly whiffed with his right-footed attempt as the scuffed ball eventually reached Meara harmlessly.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match:
Kenardo Forbes, Rochester Rhinos –
Though a goal was not in the cards, Forbes was the game’s biggest threat, especially during set piece opportunities.

Upcoming Games:
New York Red Bulls II
at FC Montreal – July 9, 3 p.m. ET, Complexe Sportif Claude-Robillard
Rochester Rhinos vs. FC Cincinnati – July 6, 7:05 p.m. ET, Rhinos Stadium