 
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
              
|
Monday, May 29, 2000 By Ray Fittipaldo, Post-Gazette Sports Writer
For the past several years, the Rochester Raging Rhinos have been considered the class of the A-League. They won the 1998 A-League championship and the 1999 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, when they beat four Major League Soccer teams en route to the championship.
RIVERHOUNDS
RAGING RHINOS
UP NEXT
The Riverhounds travel to Toronto to play the Lynx at 7:45 p.m. Sunday.
"Whether it's the MLS, A-League or even international soccer, everyone looks at Rochester as the marquee team," defender Jaman Tripoli said. "But forcing a Game 3 last year gave us a lot of confidence, going toe-to-toe with Goliath.
"But we don't look at them as Goliath anymore. We look at them as our equal. We've played against them a few times now. It's not like we've gotten lucky."
Rochester might own that 4-1 advantage in the series, but Riverhounds players and coaches believe they should have moved on in the A-League playoffs last year. In those four losses last season, the Riverhounds dropped two one-goal games and lost, 2-0, in Game 3 in what players and coaches called a poorly officiated match.
"We thought we were the better team," forward Joenal Castma said. "We want them. We know we can beat them. It's time to do our thing."
Riverhounds Coach John Kowalski said revenge will be on the minds of his players today when the Raging Rhinos (2-1) and Riverhounds (3-1-1) play an afternoon game at Bethel Park High School Stadium. But Kowalski said his team is still the underdog.
"Rochester is operating with a higher budget because their attendance is so high," Kowalski said. "They're going to be the favorites every time out there. We're the underdog. Everyone wants to beat the big dog."
If the Riverhounds avenge the close losses of a year ago, they will do it with a lineup made up of mostly reserves.
Kowalski is going to play eight different starters today because the Riverhounds lost, 2-1, at Long Island Saturday night and had a traveling day yesterday.
"We're going to use our depth," Kowalski said. "If I would have started the same 11, they would have bumps and bruises, and I would have had 11 other disgruntled players. This way, I keep the whole squad happy. Everyone is going to have to contribute.
"There's not that much difference between the 18th and 19th players on our team and the eighth and ninth players. We'll have good matchups against Rochester regardless."
Kowalski said only defenders Tenywa "T-Bone" Bonseu and Nick Terlecky will start again today.
"We have a great team, one through 25," Tripoli said. "Our whole team is capable of starting in this league. I believe everyone on our team would start with any other franchise."
Despite the hype, Tripoli does not believe this game is a measuring stick for the Riverhounds. He said it's way too early in the season for that.
"Every game dictates confidence and momentum," Tripoli said, "but I don't think this is a pinnacle moment of the season."
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Matchup: Riverhounds (3-1-1) vs. Rochester Raging Rhinos (2-1), 1:35 p.m., Bethel Park High School Stadium.