March 31, 2006
Two announcements over the past two days will make the second week of July a big one in Rochester.
US Soccer announced the schedule and format for the 2006 US Open Cup tournament this week. The Rochester Rhinos will enter the tournament in the 3rd round and will play the winner of a 2nd round match. The date for the 3rd round of this year's Open Cup is Wednesday, July 12th. So circle that date on your calendar as that should mark PaeTec Park's first time hosting a US Open Cup match.
Two days later, Brazilian soccer legend Romario's new club, Miami FC, will make their Rochester debut. Miami FC wasn't happy only signing one starter off of the 1994 World Cup champion Brazil squad, so they added another this week as they came to terms with the Brazilian legend. Last season, Romario scored 22 goals for Brazilian club Vasco Da Gama. Add in former Rhino and Jamacian international forward Onandi Lowe, Guatemalan international Mario “El Loco” Rodriguez, Jamaican international Sean Fraser and Haitian international Stephane Guillaume and Miami FC should be a very entertaining squad this season.
The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author's, and not necessarily those of the Rochester Rhinos or SoccerSam.com. Feel free to send any comments or complaints to news@soccersam.com. James promises to read (but not to respond) to all of them.
