Play conditions were less than ideal for both teams. Temperatures dipped into the 40's and the rain soaked Sahlen's Stadium throughout the day and into the night. The first half featured both teams trying to figure each other out, with chances coming few and far between. The biggest threat in the first half came off a Galaxy set piece in the 18th minute, which Rhino goalie Brandon Miller had to make a diving save to keep the score level.
The second half is where the action would heat up. The Rhinos uncharacteristically were stopped from getting any shots on goal most of the game. LA Galaxy, on the other hand, would do something that hadn't been done at Sahlen's all season long, take the lead against the Rhinos. In the 65th minute, the Galaxy would take a 1-0 lead off a set piece. Up until that moment, the Rhinos had never trailed at home the entire season. The visitors continued to silence the Rhinos, things looked bleak as the finals minutes approached. Then, Asani Samuels entered the game. With the game in the 90th minute stoppage time, Jonny Mendoza took a corner kick which got on the head of Samuels. He directed it past the goal keeper and into the net, tying the game at one and sending the Rhinos faithful into a frenzy. When the whistle blew, the game was tied. Overtime was on the horizon.
To say overtime was eventful is a complete understatement. Around the 105th minute, Galaxy keeper Clement Diop took a knee to the head, forcing him out of the match. He was replaced by Bennett Sneddon, the backup goalie who is just 18 years old. In the 112th minute, the Rhinos won a corner kick, which was taken by Syracuse Silver Knight star Kenardo Forbes. He, like Mendoza, found Samuels in the box. Samuels found magic again, beating the young LA keeper and giving the Rhinos a late 2-1 lead. That would hold until the final whistle and Rochester would hoist the Championship trophy with a 2-1 victory over the LA Galaxy II. Samuels, the hero of the match, would pick up the MVP award for his two crucial goals. With the win, the Rhinos are the first team since the 2011 Orlando City SC (now in the MLS) to earn both the USL regular season title and the USL Championship in one season. Rochester also made history by having a perfect record at home for the entire 2015 season in route to picking up their fifth league title.
For Syracuse Silver Knight fans, champions and perhaps some hardware is coming to the Salt City. Kenardo Forbes and Nate Bourdeau had tremendous seasons with the Rhinos and played key roles in the Rhinos mission for gold. It will be great seeing them return to Syracuse coming off such awesome success and with a bunch of momentum for the indoor season.
On a personal note, I would like to extend a huge congratulations to the Rochester Rhinos on their Championship season! I would also like to thank them for allowing me to cover them this season. Originally, I was not expecting to connect with the team like I have. My plan was to just keep a tab on the team since Forbes, a Syracuse star, was on the roster. However, after experiencing a game at Sahlen's first hand, I knew I was hooked. The team is filled with great players who are talented both on and off the pitch. The fans, especially the Oak Street Brigade and Flower City Stampede, are some of the most faithful I've ever met, and some of the loudest. The organization is top notch and can only get better. I look forward to growing my relationship with this team and returning to Roc City to cover the Raging Rhinos. Once again, Rochester Rhinos, a standing ovation!
Thanks/Credits:
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