View source for Rochester Rhinos

{{Short description|Defunct soccer club, based in Rochester, New York}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2019}}
{{Infobox football club
| American  = true
| image     = Rochester Rhinos (2008–2017).png
| upright   = 
| alt       =
| caption   = [[Club crest]] from 1996–2017.{{Efn|Before 2008, the word "Raging" was printed in a stylized yellow font to the top left of the "Rhinos" wordmark.}}
| founded   = 1996 as ''Rochester Raging Rhinos''
| dissolved = March 2023
| owner     = {{Ubl|David and Wendy Dworkin (2016–2023)}}
| league    = {{Ubl|[[American Professional Soccer League|A-League]] (1996)|[[USL First Division]] (1997–2010)|[[USL Championship|USL Pro]] (2011–2017)|[[MLS Next Pro]] (2022)}}
}}

The '''Rochester Rhinos''', originally known as the '''Rochester Raging Rhinos''', were an American [[association football|soccer]] team based in [[Rochester, New York]], United States. The club won the [[1999 U.S. Open Cup]], marking the only time a non-[[Major League Soccer|MLS]] team has won the [[U.S. Open Cup]] since MLS started play in [[1996 Major League Soccer season|1996]].

Founded in 1996 as the Rochester Raging Rhinos, they changed their name to Rochester Rhinos to start the 2008 season. The club began a four-year hiatus after the [[2017 USL season]] in the second tier of the [[United States soccer league system]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rhinossoccer.com/news_article/show/861933?referrer_id=2439299|title=ROCHESTER RHINOS ANNOUNCE DECISIONS FOR 2018 SEASON|first=Rochester|last=Rhinos|date=November 30, 2017|access-date=December 13, 2017|archive-date=December 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203153821/http://www.rhinossoccer.com/news_article/show/861933?referrer_id=2439299|url-status=live}}</ref> The team then rebranded as '''Rochester New York FC''' and played its first and only season in [[MLS Next Pro]] in 2022, but departed before the beginning of the 2023 season.<ref name="sky">{{cite web |title=Jamie Vardy re-brands US football club Rochester New York FC ahead of professional return |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12396713/jamie-vardy-re-brands-us-football-club-rochester-new-york-fc-ahead-of-professional-return |website=skysports.com |publisher=Sky UK |date=1 September 2021 |access-date=30 September 2021 |archive-date=September 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930185036/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12396713/jamie-vardy-re-brands-us-football-club-rochester-new-york-fc-ahead-of-professional-return |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>[https://www.rochesterfirst.com/sports/rnyfc/rochester-ny-fc-ceases-operations-will-not-play-in-2023/ Rochester NY FC ceases operations, will not play in 2023] by AJ Feldman at Rochester First, 10 March 2023</ref><ref>[https://www.mlsnextpro.com/news/update-on-rochester-new-york-fc-and-mls-next-pro Update on Rochester New York FC and MLS NEXT Pro], MLS Press Release, 10 Mar 2023</ref>

The club was affiliated with the youth club Empire United Soccer Academy, which rebranded as Rochester New York FC Youth and continues to operate as a separate club. The youth club currently has a team in the [[United Premier Soccer League]].

==History==
===1996–2017===
Rochester Raging Rhinos was founded in 1996 and played in the now-defunct original [[American Professional Soccer League|A-League]] until it merged with the [[United Soccer League#USISL|USISL]] for the 1997 season, creating the new [[A-League (American)|A-League]]. After reaching the championship game in 1996 they won their first league championship in 1998.

In 1999 the club made it to the final of the [[1999 U.S. Open Cup|U.S. Open Cup]], where they defeated [[Major League Soccer|MLS]] club [[Colorado Rapids]] 2–0, becoming the first team from outside MLS to win the national cup since MLS's inception.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rhinos Knock Off Fourth MLS Team, Drop Rapids 2–0 to Win 1999 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final in Columbus|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/11/35/rhinos-knock-off-fourth-mls-team-drop-rapids-2-0-to-win-1999-lamar-hunt-u-s-open-cup-final-in-columb|publisher=U.S. Soccer|access-date=October 11, 2017|date=September 14, 1999|archive-date=October 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011183426/http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2014/03/17/11/35/rhinos-knock-off-fourth-mls-team-drop-rapids-2-0-to-win-1999-lamar-hunt-u-s-open-cup-final-in-columb|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Zeitlin|first1=Dave|title=The legend of the Rochester Raging Rhinos, last underdog to win US Open Cup|url=http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/06/12/legend-rochester-raging-rhinos-last-underdog-win-us-open-cup-word|website=mlssoccer.com|publisher=MLS|access-date=February 21, 2017|date=June 14, 2016|archive-date=September 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920084827/http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/06/12/legend-rochester-raging-rhinos-last-underdog-win-us-open-cup-word|url-status=live}}</ref> This win was followed by two further A-League titles in 2000 and 2001.[[File:2000 Rochester Raging Rhinos team photograph.jpg|thumb|The 2000 Rochester Raging Rhinos team]]

A year after the A-League's renaming to the USL First Division in 2005, the Rhinos moved into the newly completed PAETEC Park, a 13,768-seat [[soccer-specific stadium]] now known as [[Rochester Community Sports Complex Stadium]], and again made the championship game. The Rhinos were considered a candidate to be an [[Expansion of Major League Soccer|MLS expansion team]] when PAETEC Park was in the planning stages.<ref>{{cite web|title=Raging into MLS?|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2003/soccer/11/08/mls.expansion/index.html|website=sportsillustrated.com|access-date=February 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024163826/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2003/soccer/11/08/mls.expansion/index.html|archive-date=October 24, 2012|date=November 8, 2003}}</ref>

The team was declared insolvent in 2008 after defaulting on their stadium agreement, and PAETEC Park was seized by the city of Rochester.<ref>[http://www.wysl1040.com/?pg=local&fileID=7092 City Says It Will Seize PAETEC Park, Citing Default] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718101812/http://www.wysl1040.com/?pg=local&fileID=7092 |date=July 18, 2011 }}. [[WYSL]].</ref> After a brief search for a new owner and investor who could improve the team's financial outlook, in March 2008 the club was taken over by [[Utica, New York|Utica]] businessman Rob Clark. Clark changed the team's name to the "Rochester Rhinos," and assured that the financial situation of the team was stable and it would be able to play the next year.<ref>[http://democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080320/SPORTS05/80320039/1023 Utica businessman buys Rhinos; 2008 season a go]. [[Rochester Democrat and Chronicle]].</ref> After two seasons under Clark the club joined the [[North American Soccer League (2011–2017)|new NASL]] for its 2010 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rhinossoccer.com/news.php?id=1233|title=ROCHESTER RHINOS JOIN NEW NASL|access-date=December 13, 2017|archive-date=December 7, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091207030937/http://www.rhinossoccer.com/news.php?id=1233|url-status=live}}</ref>  The [[United States Soccer Federation]] refused the NASL's application for sanctioning, and instead operated its own temporary second-division league for 2010. The Rhinos were part of that temporary [[USSF Division 2 Professional League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ussoccer.com/USSF-D2-Pro-League/USSF-D2-Pro-League/Clubs/2010-Clubs.aspx|title=Club Listing|publisher=USSF Division-2 Pro League|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610230605/http://www.ussoccer.com/USSF-D2-Pro-League/USSF-D2-Pro-League/Clubs/2010-Clubs.aspx|archive-date=June 10, 2011}}</ref> The Rhinos switched leagues again before the 2011 season to the then third-division [[USL Pro]] league, who considered themselves equally competitive with the second-division NASL.

The 2011 season ended with the Rhinos first in their division followed by a playoff season that lasted two games. The Rhinos saw off the [[Pittsburgh Riverhounds]] 4–0 in first round of the playoffs and then lost 2–1 at home to the [[Penn FC|Harrisburg City Islanders]] to finish the season. At the end of the season, head coach [[Bob Lilley (soccer)|Bob Lilley]] was replaced by [[Jesse Myers]], most recently an assistant coach of the [[Richmond Kickers]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rhinossoccer.com/news/index.html?article_id=168|title=Rhinos Name Myers Head Coach|publisher=Rhinossoccer.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019203205/http://www.rhinossoccer.com/news/index.html?article_id=168|archive-date=October 19, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rhinossoccer.com/news/index.html?article_id=162|title=Lilley Decides not to Return|publisher=Rhinossoccer.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111009064658/http://www.rhinossoccer.com/news/index.html?article_id=162|archive-date=October 9, 2011}}</ref>

In January 2013, the Rhinos became the official USL Pro affiliate of the [[New England Revolution]].<ref name="revsrhinos">{{cite web | url=http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/691390.html | title=Rhinos, Revolution Form Partnership | publisher=Rochester Rhinos | date=January 28, 2013 | access-date=January 30, 2013 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202013103/http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/691390.html | archive-date=February 2, 2013 | df=mdy-all }}</ref> On May 19, Following a 1–6–1 start to the 2013 season, Myers was dismissed and [[Pat Ercoli]] named head coach. They missed the playoffs for the first time ever, finishing with a 6–10–10 record.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://rhinossoccer.com/news/?article_id=368 | title=Ercoli Returns to Coach Rochester Rhinos | publisher=Rhinossoccer.com | date=May 19, 2013 | access-date=May 20, 2013 | archive-date=February 26, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226205056/http://rhinossoccer.com/news/?article_id=368 | url-status=live }}</ref>

The league revoked the Clark family's ownership of the club in January 2016, citing the revocation of the lease on Rochester Rhinos Stadium by the City of Rochester. The league took over operations of the club until it could be sold to a new ownership group.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/soccer/2016/01/05/clark-out-rhinos-owner-usl-looking-new-owner/78316180/ | title=Clark out as Rhinos owner; USL takes control of team | publisher=Rochester Democrat & Chronicle | date=January 6, 2016 | access-date=January 9, 2016 | author=DiVeronica, Jeff | archive-date=January 9, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109011206/http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/soccer/2016/01/05/clark-out-rhinos-owner-usl-looking-new-owner/78316180/ | url-status=live }}</ref> David and Wendy Dworkin, minority owners of the [[Sacramento Kings]] basketball team, were identified as the Rhinos' new owners later in the month.<ref>{{cite web|last1=DiVeronica|first1=Jeff|title=New Rhinos owners are part owners of Sacramento Kings|url=http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/soccer/2016/01/15/city-agrees-lease-potential-new-rhinos-owner/78863514/|website=Rochester Democrat and Chronicle|access-date=February 21, 2017|language=en|date=January 15, 2016|archive-date=December 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215103507/http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/soccer/2016/01/15/city-agrees-lease-potential-new-rhinos-owner/78863514/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Dworkins were officially announced as the new owners on March 10, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uslsoccer.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=32800&ATCLID=210790488|title=New Ownership Announced for Rochester Rhinos|publisher=United Soccer League (USL)|date=March 10, 2016|access-date=March 10, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311023635/http://www.uslsoccer.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=32800&ATCLID=210790488|archive-date=March 11, 2016}}</ref>

===2017–2023===
[[File:Rochester New York FC logo.svg|thumb|upright|Crest of Rochester New York FC, the club's name during its final season.]]
On November 30, 2017, the Rhinos announced that they would go on hiatus to seek additional funding.<ref>{{Citation|chapter=The Crisis in Constitutionalism|date=2017-07-12|pages=185–216|publisher=Routledge|isbn=9781315083384|doi=10.4324/9781315083384-9|title=A Machine That Would Go of Itself}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=DiVeronica|first1=Jeff|title=Rhinos to take one-year hiatus, host 'several' USL matches|url=http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/soccer/2017/11/30/d-day-rhinos-announcement-expected-3-30-p-m/909936001/|access-date=December 1, 2017|work=Rochester Democrat and Chronicle|date=November 30, 2017|language=en|archive-date=August 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814232938/https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/soccer/2017/11/30/d-day-rhinos-announcement-expected-3-30-p-m/909936001/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Tsujimoto|first1=Ben|title=Rochester Rhinos to take hiatus from United Soccer League|url=http://buffalonews.com/2017/11/30/rochester-rhinos-choose-to-take-hiatus-from-united-soccer-league/|access-date=December 1, 2017|work=The Buffalo News|date=November 30, 2017|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201035807/http://buffalonews.com/2017/11/30/rochester-rhinos-choose-to-take-hiatus-from-united-soccer-league/|url-status=live}}</ref> After almost a year of silence the team announced that it planned to move to the new third division league [[USL League One]] and return to the field in 2020.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2018/08/22/rochester-rhinos-to-move-to-usl-d-3-return-by-2020/|title=Rochester Rhinos to move to USL D-3, return by 2020|last=Mendola|first=Nicholas|date=2018-08-22|website=ProSoccerTalk|language=en|access-date=2019-06-21|archive-date=June 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190621015117/https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2018/08/22/rochester-rhinos-to-move-to-usl-d-3-return-by-2020/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2018-08-22 |title=Rochester Approved for USL Division III |url=https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/943817 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202745/https://www.uslchampionship.com/news_article/show/943817 |archive-date=2021-06-24 |access-date=2025-11-11 |work=USL Championship |language=en-us}}</ref> Moreover, the team announced that it had reached a deal with the City to vacate [[Marina Auto Stadium]] and stated it would be searching a site to build a new stadium.<ref name=":0" /> Towards the end of the first USL League One season, the Rhinos' President [[Pat Ercoli]] announced on Uncle Sam's Soccer Podcast that due to delays and pacing of the development of the Rhinos' new stadium that the team would likely sit out the 2020 season and relaunch in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stitcher.com/s?eid=63466010|title=Episode 151: Pat Ercoli (President Rochester Rhinos) Part 2 from Uncle Sam's Soccer Podcast|website=www.stitcher.com|language=en|access-date=2019-09-23}}</ref>

In June 2021, [[Jamie Vardy]] was announced as co-owner of the franchise and intends to field a team for the 2022 season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11712/12332950/jamie-vardy-leicester-city-striker-becomes-co-owner-of-new-york-state-based-football-club-rochester-rhinos|title=Jamie Vardy: Leicester City striker becomes co-owner of American football club Rochester Rhinos|website=Sky Sports|access-date=June 15, 2021|archive-date=June 15, 2021|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210615145845/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11712/12332950/jamie-vardy-leicester-city-striker-becomes-co-owner-of-new-york-state-based-football-club-rochester-rhinos|url-status=live}}</ref> Lee Tucker, who was the project leader at Vardy’s successful [[V9 Academy]] – which gave opportunities to [[Non-League football|non-League]] players in England seeking to break into the professional game, will be appointed Sporting Director.<ref>{{cite web|title=Premier League star Jamie Vardy buys stake in Rochester Rhinos|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/leicester-city/story/4409332/premier-league-star-jamie-vardy-buys-stake-in-rochester-rhinos|access-date=June 15, 2021|date=June 15, 2021|archive-date=June 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624201607/https://www.espn.co.uk/football/leicester-city/story/4409332/premier-league-star-jamie-vardy-buys-stake-in-rochester-rhinos|url-status=live}}</ref>  While it was originally announced that [[Jamie Vardy]] had "bought a minority stake" and given "significant investment", it was later confirmed that he was given his ownership stake as a publicity stunt.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cityam.com/jamie-vardy-reveals-he-did-not-pay-for-rochester-rhinos-stake/ |title=Jamie Vardy Reveals He Did Not Pay For Rochester Rhinos Stake |publisher=CityAM  |first=Frank|last=Dalleres |date=March 7, 2025 |access-date=March 19, 2025}}</ref>

On September 1, 2021, it was announced that the club had gone through an extensive makeover as part of the club’s rebirth, the Rhinos had a complete rebrand to Rochester New York FC or RNYFC for short, and had a new logo introduced.  The new club badge features an abstract rendering of Rochester's [[High Falls (Rochester, New York)|High Falls]] waterfall.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Driffill |first1=Matt |title=Rhinos no more: Rochester New York FC announces 'new era' of local professional soccer |url=https://www.rochesterfirst.com/sports/rochester-ny-fc/rochester-new-york-fc-rochester-rhinos-announced-rebrand-for-new-soccer-era/ |website=rochesterfirst.com |publisher=Nexstar Media Inc |access-date=10 September 2021 |date=1 September 2021 |archive-date=September 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210910182131/https://www.rochesterfirst.com/sports/rochester-ny-fc/rochester-new-york-fc-rochester-rhinos-announced-rebrand-for-new-soccer-era/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The club returned to play in 2022, and were the only independent club in the new [[MLS Next Pro]] league.<ref name="sky"/> They made the playoffs but were eliminated in the quarterfinals. On March 10, 2023, Rochester New York FC withdrew from MLS Next Pro and ceased operations<ref name=first>[https://www.rochesterfirst.com/sports/rnyfc/rochester-ny-fc-ceases-operations-will-not-play-in-2023/ Rochester NY FC ceases operations, will not play in 2023] by AJ Feldman at Rochester First, 10 March 2023</ref> citing an "unsustainable business model".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/95504/rochester-new-york-fc-co-owned-by-jamie-vardy-fo.html |title=Rochester New York FC, co-owned by Jamie Vardy, folds after first MLS Next Pro season |publisher=Soccer America  |first=Mike |last=Woitalla |date=March 10, 2023 |access-date=March 10, 2023}}</ref>

==Stadiums==
[[File:MCC DiMarco Field.JPG|thumb|right|John L. DiMarco Field at [[Monroe Community College]]]]
* [[Fauver Stadium]]; [[Rochester, New York]] (1996)
* [[Frontier Field]]; Rochester, New York (1996–2005)
* [[Marina Auto Stadium]]; Rochester, New York (2006–2017)
* [[John L. DiMarco Field]]; [[Brighton, Monroe County, New York|Brighton, New York]] (2022)

The Raging Rhinos first began play in 1996 at Fauver Stadium, a soccer venue at the [[University of Rochester]]. They then played at [[Frontier Field]], a [[Minor League Baseball]] park, from 1996 to 2005.

Starting in 2006, the team played in [[Marina Auto Stadium]], a [[soccer-specific stadium]] built for their use. When the Rhinos went on hiatus at the end of 2017, they originally sought to remain at the stadium, scheduling neutral-site USL matches during the 2018 season to meet the terms of their lease. However, in August 2018 the team announced they would be seeking a new venue.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Reichard |first1=Kevin |title=Rhinos Leaving Marina Auto Stadium, Shifting to USL DIII |url=https://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2018/08/rhinos-leaving-marina-auto-stadium-shifting-to-usl-diii/ |website=Soccer Stadium Digest |access-date=29 January 2022 |date=23 August 2018}}</ref>

In June 2021, when the team announced a new co-owner ahead of a planned return to play in 2022, they indicated they would play at Empire United Soccer Complex in [[Henrietta, New York]]. However, Empire United's field had no stands, concessions, or other amenities, and would have required upgrades for professional soccer use.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lewis |first1=Michael |title=An Exclamation Point, Then Question Marks: Rhinos will play temporarily at United Sports Complex, but what league will they compete in and how will they rebrand? |url=https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2021/06/15/an-exclamation-point-then-question-marks-rhinos-will-play-temporarily-at-united-sports-complex-but-what-league-will-they-compete-in-and-how-will-they-rebrand/ |website=Front Row Soccer |access-date=29 January 2022 |language=en |date=15 June 2021 |archive-date=January 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129202416/https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2021/06/15/an-exclamation-point-then-question-marks-rhinos-will-play-temporarily-at-united-sports-complex-but-what-league-will-they-compete-in-and-how-will-they-rebrand/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In order to be ready for a March 2022 kickoff in [[MLS Next Pro]], the team announced in December 2021 that they would instead play at John L. DiMarco Field, a 1,500-capacity soccer and lacrosse venue at [[Monroe Community College]] in [[Brighton, Monroe County, New York|Brighton, New York]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lewis |first1=Michael |title=Getting the Right Pitch: When Plan A didn't work out, RNYFC had a back-up one |url=https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2021/12/06/getting-the-right-pitch-when-plan-a-didnt-work-out-rnyfc-had-a-back-up-one/ |website=Front Row Soccer |access-date=29 January 2022 |language=en |date=7 December 2021 |archive-date=January 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129202418/https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2021/12/06/getting-the-right-pitch-when-plan-a-didnt-work-out-rnyfc-had-a-back-up-one/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=John L. DiMarco Field |url=https://www.mcctribunes.com/facilities/DiMarco_Field |website=Monroe Community College Athletics |access-date=29 January 2022 |language=en |archive-date=December 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207121221/https://www.mcctribunes.com/facilities/DiMarco_Field |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Club culture==

===Supporters===

Rochester New York FC had two major [[supporters' groups]]. Founded in 2011, the Oak Street Brigade previously occupied section 101 at [[Rochester Community Sports Complex Stadium|Capelli Sport Stadium]], the former home of the Rochester Rhinos. The other major supporters' group was the North Star Ultras.

===Notable former players===

====Rochester Rhinos Hall of Fame====
*2011: [[Lenin Steenkamp]]
*2012: [[Craig Demmin]], [[Doug Miller (soccer)|Doug Miller]], [[Pat Onstad]]
*2013: [[1999 U.S. Open Cup]] Team
*2014: [[Yari Allnutt]], [[Scott Vallow]]
*2015: [[Darren Tilley]], [[Mali Walton]]

====Retired numbers====
* '''14''' – {{flagicon|TTO}} [[Mickey Trotman]], [[midfielder|MF]], 2001 (posthumous honor){{refn|Died in a crash car in 2001.<ref>[https://socawarriors.net/foreign-based/5766-sanchos-connection-to-rochester-rhinos-has-long-history.html Sancho's connection to Rochester Rhinos has long history] on Socawarriors.net</ref>|group=n|name=trot}}
* '''19''' – {{flagicon|USA}} [[Doug Miller (soccer)|Doug Miller]], [[forward (association football)|F]], 1996–99, 2003–06 <ref>[https://rbj.net/2012/08/17/getting-his-kicks-running-his-own-business/ Getting his kicks running his own business] by Thomas Adams – August 17, 2012 on Rbj.net</ref>

;Notes
{{reflist|group=n}}

===Head coaches===
* {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Pat Ercoli]] (1996–2004)
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Laurie Calloway]] (2005–2007)
* {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Darren Tilley]] (2008–2009)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080325/SPORTS05/80325032/1023|title=Sources: Rhinos will name Tilley head coach|access-date=December 13, 2017}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Bob Lilley (soccer)|Bob Lilley]] (2010–2011)
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jesse Myers]] (2012–2013)
* {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Pat Ercoli]] (interim, 2013)
* {{flagicon|USA}} [[Bob Lilley (soccer)|Bob Lilley]] (2014–2017)
* {{flagicon|POR}} [[Bruno Baltazar]] (2022)

==Honors==
===League===
*'''[[USL Championship]]'''
**'''Champions:''' [[2015 USL season|2015]]
**'''Regular season winners:''' [[2015 USL season|2015]]
* '''[[USSF Division 2 Professional League]]'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ussf.demosphere.com/scripts/runisa.dll?M2.65898:gp:605921020.7299:73193+Elements/Display+E+46241++20952154++04/2010+20945465++|title=Division-2 Schedule and Results|publisher=USSF Division-2 Pro League|access-date=June 29, 2011|archive-date=September 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200907103332/http://ussf.demosphere.com/scripts/runisa.dll?M2.65898:gp:605921020.7299:73193+Elements/Display+E+46241++20952154++04/2010+20945465++|url-status=live}}</ref>
** '''Regular season winners:''' [[2010 in American soccer|2010]]
** '''USL''' '''Conference champions (1):''' [[2010 in American soccer|2010]]
*'''[[A-League (1995–2004)|USL A-League]]'''
** '''Winners (3):''' [[1998 USISL A-League|1998]], [[2000 USL A-League|2000]], [[2001 USL A-League|2001]]
** '''Northeast Division champions (3):''' [[1998 USISL A-League|1998]], [[1999 USL A-League|1999]], [[2002 USL A-League|2002]]

===Cups===
* '''[[U.S. Open Cup]]'''
** '''Winners (1): [[1999 U.S. Open Cup|1999]]'''
** Runners-up (1): [[1996 U.S. Open Cup|'''1996''']]

==Record==

===Year-by-year===
{{Main|List of Rochester New York FC seasons}}
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center;"
|- style="background:#f0f6ff;"
!rowspan=2|Season
!colspan=11|League
!colspan=2|Position
!rowspan=2|Playoffs
!rowspan=2|[[U.S. Open Cup|USOC]]
!rowspan=2 colspan=2|[[CONCACAF|Continental]] / Other
!rowspan=2|Average attendance
!colspan=2|Top goalscorer(s)
|-
!Div
!League!!Pld!!W!!L!!D!!GF!!GA!!GD!!Pts!!PPG!!Conf.!!Overall!!Name!!Goals
|-
|'''[[1996 Rochester Rhinos season|1996]]'''
| rowspan=15 | 2
| [[1996 A-League|A-League]]
|27||14||13||0||44||42|| +2 ||42
| 1.56
| N/A
| 5th
|bgcolor=silver | [[1996 A-League|RU]]
|bgcolor=silver | [[1996 U.S. Open Cup|RU]]
| colspan=2 rowspan=13 | Ineligible
|9,991
|align="left" | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Doug Miller (soccer)|Doug Miller]]
|style=background:#FAECC8;" | 23
|-
|'''[[1997 Rochester Rhinos season|1997]]'''
| [[1997 A-League|A-League]]
|28||14||14||0||56||47|| +9 ||42
| 1.50
|bgcolor=silver | 2nd
|9th
| [[1997 A-League|R1]]
| [[1997 U.S. Open Cup|Ro16]]
|10,677
|align="left" | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Doug Miller (soccer)|Doug Miller]]
|style=background:#FAECC8;" | 23
|-
|'''[[1998 Rochester Rhinos season|1998]]'''
| [[1998 A-League|A-League]]
|28||24||4||0||72||15|| +57 ||72
| 2.57
| bgcolor=gold | 1st
| bgcolor=gold | 1st
| bgcolor=gold | [[1998 A-League|W]]
| [[1998 U.S. Open Cup|Ro16]]
| 11,499
|align="left" | {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Darren Tilley]]
| 21
|-
|'''1999'''
| [[1999 A-League|A-League]]
|28||22||6||0||47||20|| +27 ||66
| 2.36
| bgcolor=gold | 1st
| bgcolor=gold | 1st
| bgcolor=silver | [[1999 A-League#Final|RU]]
| bgcolor=gold | [[1999 U.S. Open Cup|W]]
|11,551
|align="left"| {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Mauro Biello]] || 8
|-
|'''[[2000 Rochester Rhinos season|2000]]'''
|[[2000 USL A-League|A-League]]
|28 || 17 || 9 || 2 || 42 || 25 || +17 || 53
| 1.89
|bgcolor=CFAA88 | 3rd
|6th
|bgcolor=gold | [[2000 USL A-League|W]]
|[[2000 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup#Third round|Ro16]]
|style="background:#dfd;" |11,628
|align="left"| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Yari Allnutt]] || 10
|-
|'''[[2001 Rochester Rhinos season|2001]]'''
|[[2001 USL A-League|A-League]]
| 26 || 16 || 6 || 4 || 43 || 27  || +16 || 52
| 2.00
|bgcolor=silver| 2nd
|bgcolor=CFAA88 | 3rd
|bgcolor=gold | [[2001 USL A-League#Playoffs|W]]
|[[2001 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup#Second round|R2]]
|10,789
|align="left"| {{flagicon|SAF}} [[Lenin Steenkamp]] || 9
|-
|'''[[2002 Rochester Rhinos season|2002]]'''
|[[2002 USL A-League|A-League]]
| 28 || 17 || 8 || 3 || 38 || 25  || +13 || 54
| 1.93
|bgcolor=silver | 2nd
|4th
| [[2002 USL A-League#Playoff bracket|SF]]
|[[2002 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup#Third round|Ro16]]
|10,008
|align="left"| {{flagicon|SAF}} [[Lenin Steenkamp]] || 8
|-
|'''[[2003 Rochester Rhinos season|2003]]'''
|[[2003 USL A-League|A-League]]
| 28 || 15 || 7 || 6 || 55 || 36 || +19 || 51
| 1.82
| bgcolor=CFAA88 | 3rd
| 7th
| [[2003 USL A-League|SF]]
| [[2003 U.S. Open Cup|Ro16]]
|10,169
|align="left" | {{flagicon|USA}} [[Doug Miller (soccer)|Doug Miller]] || 17
|-
|'''[[2004 Rochester Rhinos season|2004]]'''
|[[2004 USL A-League|A-League]]
| 28 || 15 || 10 || 3 || 36 || 32  || +4 || 48
| 1.71
|4th
|5th
| [[2004 USL A-League|QF]]
|[[2004 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup#Quarterfinals|QF]]
|10,200
|align=left| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Chris Carrieri]] || 8
|-
|'''[[2005 Rochester Rhinos season|2005]]'''
|[[2005 United Soccer Leagues|USL-1]]
| 28 || 15 || 7 || 6 || 45 || 27  || +18 || 51
| 1.82
|rowspan=5 | N/A
| bgcolor=silver | 2nd
|[[2005 United Soccer Leagues|SF]]
|[[2005 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup#Quarterfinals|QF]]
|9,791
|align=left| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Kirk Wilson]] || 9
|-
|'''[[2006 Rochester Rhinos season|2006]]'''
|[[2006 United Soccer Leagues|USL-1]]
| 28 || 13 || 4 || 11 || 34 || 21 || +13 || 50
| 1.79
|bgcolor=silver | 2nd
| bgcolor=silver | [[2006 United Soccer Leagues#Playoffs|RU]]
|[[2006 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup#Fourth round|Ro16]]
|10,110
|align=left| {{flagicon|ENG}} [[Matthew Delicâte]] || 8
|-
|'''[[2007 Rochester Rhinos season|2007]]'''
|[[2007 United Soccer Leagues|USL-1]]
|28 || 12 || 10 || 6 || 39 || 36  || +3 || 42
| 1.50
|5th
|[[2007 United Soccer Leagues|QF]]
|[[2007 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup#Third round|Ro16]]
|9,705
|align=left| {{flagicon|CIV}} [[Hamed Modibo Diallo]] || 9
|-
|'''[[2008 Rochester Rhinos season|2008]]'''
|[[2008 United Soccer Leagues|USL-1]]
|30 || 11 || 10 || 9 || 35 || 32 || +3 || 41
| 1.37
|4th
| [[2008 United Soccer Leagues#Playoffs|SF]]
| [[2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup#Third round|Ro16]]
|8,243
|align=left| {{flagicon|LBR}} [[Johnny Menyongar]] || 6
|-
|'''[[2009 Rochester Rhinos season|2009]]'''
|[[2009 United Soccer Leagues|USL-1]]
|30 || 11 || 9 || 10 || 34 || 32  || +2 || 43
| 1.43
|6th
| [[2009 United Soccer Leagues#Playoffs|QF]]
|[[2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|SF]]
| colspan=2 rowspan=9 | DNQ
|6,888
|align=left| {{flagicon|LBR}} [[Johnny Menyongar]] || 11
|-
|'''[[2010 Rochester Rhinos season|2010]]'''
|[[USSF Division 2 Professional League|D2 Pro]]
|30||16||8||6||38||24|| +14 ||54
|  1.80
|bgcolor=gold| 1st
|bgcolor=gold| 1st
| [[2010 United Soccer Leagues|QF]]
|[[2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|Ro16]]
|6,464
|align=left| {{flagicon|GHA}} [[Isaac Kissi]] || 8
|-
|'''[[2011 Rochester Rhinos season|2011]]'''
| rowspan=6 | 3
|[[2011 USL Pro season|USL Pro]]
|24||12||8||4||31||23|| +8 ||40
| 1.67
|bgcolor=gold | 1st
|4th
| [[2011 USL Pro season#Playoffs|SF]]
| [[2011 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup|Ro16]]
|5,339
|align=left| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Andrew Hoxie]] <hr /> {{flagicon|TRI}} [[Kendall Jagdeosingh]] || 5
|-
|'''[[2012 Rochester Rhinos season|2012]]'''
|[[2012 USL Pro season|USL Pro]]
|24||12||7||5||27||23 || +4 ||41
| 1.71
| rowspan=3 | N/A
| bgcolor=silver | 2nd
| [[2012 USL Pro season#Playoffs|SF]]
| [[2012 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup#Third Round|R3]]
|6,233
|align=left| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Andrew Hoxie]] || 6
|-
| '''[[2013 Rochester Rhinos season|2013]]'''
| [[2013 USL Pro season|USL Pro]]
| 26 || 6 || 10 || 10 || 25 || 39  || –14 || 28
| 1.08
| 11th
| DNQ
| [[2013 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup#Third Round|R3]]
|5,876
|align=left| {{flagicon|SCO}} [[Tam McManus]] || 7
|-
| '''[[2014 Rochester Rhinos season|2014]]'''
| [[2014 USL Pro season|USL Pro]]
| 28 || 10 || 10 || 8 || 29 || 25 || +4 || 38
| 1.46
| 6th
| [[2014 USL Pro season#Playoffs|QF]]
| [[2014 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup#Fifth Round|Ro16]]
|5,329
|align="left"| {{flagicon|USA}} [[J.C. Banks]] || 9
|-
| '''[[2015 Rochester Rhinos season|2015]]'''
| [[2015 USL season|USL]]
| 28 || 17 || 1 || 10 || 40 || 15  || +25 || 61
| 2.18
| bgcolor=gold | 1st
| bgcolor=gold | 1st
| bgcolor=gold | [[2015 USL Playoffs|W]]
| [[2015 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup#Fourth Round|R4]]
| 5,599
|align="left"| {{flagicon|Cape Verde}} [[Steevan Dos Santos]] || 9
|-
| '''[[2016 Rochester Rhinos season|2016]]'''
| [[2016 USL season|USL]]
| 30 || 13 || 5 || 12 || 38 || 25 || +13 || 51
| 1.70
| 4th
| 6th
| [[2016 USL Playoffs|QF]]
| [[2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup#Fourth Round|R4]]
| 3,655
|align=left| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Christian Volesky]] || 10
|-
| '''[[2017 Rochester Rhinos season|2017]]'''
| 2
| [[2017 USL season|USL]]
| 32 || 14 || 7 || 11 || 36 || 28  || +8 || 53
| 1.66
| 4th
| 9th
| [[2017 USL Playoffs|QF]]
| [[2017 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup#Fourth Round|R4]]
| 2,031
|align=left| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Jochen Graf]] || 11
|-
| '''2018'''
| rowspan="4" colspan="20" style="text-align: center;" valign="middle" | '''''On Hiatus'''''
|-
| '''2019'''
|-
| '''2020'''
|-
| '''2021'''
|-
| '''[[2022 Rochester New York FC season|2022]]'''
| 3
| [[2022 MLS Next Pro season|MLSNP]]
| 24 || 10 || 8 || 6 || 37 || 30  || +7 || 40
| 1.67
| 4th
| 9th
| [[2022 MLS Next Pro season#Playoffs|QF]]
| [[2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup#Fourth Round|R4]]
| colspan=2 | DNQ
| 1,096
|align=left| {{flagicon|USA}} [[Gibran Rayo]] || 13
|-
| '''Total'''
| –
|–
| '''639''' <!-- As of the end of the 2020 season -->
| '''326''' <!-- As of the end of the 2020 season -->
| '''181''' <!-- As of the end of the 2020 season -->
| '''132''' <!-- As of the end of the 2020 season -->
| '''921''' <!-- As of the end of the 2020 season -->
| '''649''' <!-- As of the end of the 2020 season -->
| '''+272''' <!-- As of the end of the 2020 season -->
| '''1113''' <!-- As of the end of the 2020 season -->
| '''1.74''' <!-- As of the end of the 2020 season -->
| –
| –
| –
| –
| colspan=2 | –
| –
|align="left" | {{flagicon|USA}} '''Doug Miller''' <!-- As of the end of the 2020 season -->
| '''75''' <!-- As of the end of the 2020 season -->
|}
<small>{{note|1}}1. '''Avg. attendance''' include statistics from league matches only.</small><br />
<small>{{note|2}}2. '''Top goalscorer(s)''' includes all goals scored in league play, playoffs, [[U.S. Open Cup]], and other competitive matches.</small><br />
<small>{{note|3}}3. '''Points''' and '''PPG''' have been adjusted from non-traditional to traditional scoring systems for seasons prior to 2003 to more effectively compare historical team performance across seasons.</small><br />
<small>{{note|4}}4. '''Pts''' in 2008 excludes one deducted point for fielding an ineligible player.</small>

== References ==

'''Notes'''
{{Notelist}}
'''Citations'''
{{reflist}}

{{Rochester Rhinos}}
{{Navboxes
|list1 =
{{American Professional Soccer League seasons}}
{{USL Championship}}
{{MLS Next Pro}}
{{USOC winners}}
{{Rochester Sports}}
}}

[[Category:Rochester Rhinos| ]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1996]]
[[Category:Association football clubs disestablished in 2023]]
[[Category:Men's soccer clubs in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Defunct soccer clubs in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Former USL Championship teams]]
[[Category:MLS Next Pro teams]]
[[Category:American Professional Soccer League teams]]
[[Category:USL First Division teams]]
[[Category:1996 establishments in New York (state)]]
[[Category:U.S. Open Cup winners]]