Help Wanted

Scott Schweitzer was one of the most popular Rhinos in their history, and one of the most successful players on the field.  He also has experience as a coach with Carolina.  Any chance he might be on the list of candidates for your new head coach?

Heather

Overall the coach did a good job but unfortunately it was either his tactics or the quality of his players or lack thereof that led to an early exit from the Open Cup and a pretty dismal game against Harrisburg in the Division championship match. Defense was pretty solid but too often the players play back and square passes, play across the box, fail to make decisive runs, and fail to take shots on goal. I am trying to remember when they did not rush a free kick and actually put a direct shot on goal. The stats might show a reasonable number of shots, but rarely was a goalkeeper really put to the test.

I do not think the team can win the “big one” unless these issues are addressed. I watched two pre-season games, all the cup games and only missed one regular season game .I would expect the team to dominate more if they wish to be the best team in the league.

I think the right new coach may be able to take the team to the next level. It will be interesting to see which players return. It will also be interesting to see what this league and the NASL will look like next season.  Defense is important but it is an exciting attack that brings in the crowds.

I am looking forward to next season and the prospect a championship. Good Luck for next year.

PH.

What we need is a big name coach

There are two guys from Rochester who should be at the top of the Rhinos shopping list. Dave Sarachan and Brian Bliss. Both of these guys are huge names in soccer with huge experience. Both of these guys would be loved by the fans because they are home town heroes.  They would also be able to attract the big names who used to play here back to the Rhinos. I think these guys would cost you money but what they would bring to the Rhinos would make them worth it.

Joe

What we do not need is a big name coach

San Antonio (NASL) just announced that Tim Hankinson was going to be the head coach of their expansion team next year.  He coached in Charleston, Tampa Bay, and Colorado.  While San Antonio might have felt pressure to make a “big name” hire, I’m not sure that a coach who failed twice in MLS is necessarily the way forward just because he coached in MLS.

In 2012 there will be 19 MLS teams, 8 NASL teams, and 12 USL teams.  That’s 39 teams in American soccer.  What the Rhinos need to find is a coach who knows American soccer players and American coaches.  With so many successful MLS teams players aren’t just going to come to the Rhinos like they did ten years ago.  The Rhinos need to find someone with connections to help them find players and build a team.

If they find a coach who used to be in MLS great.  If they don’t and he has connections and experience in the game in the US then that’s great too.

Oscar

Hang on a second…

Why would you post an email from a guy stating "I hope the Rhinos DIE."? Then the loser doesn't even have the guts to leave his name. You should be trying to rally support not give some fair weather stampede jerk the satisfaction.

Mike (via Facebook)

…because here comes the support.

I used to be a Rhinos season ticket holder since 1998.  I had to drop my tickets last year when my old job dropped me.  I used to really enjoy the Stampede at Frontier Field.  I thought they added a lot to the atmosphere of the matches.  They had banners, chants, and even started lighting flares off in the bullpen when the team scored.  They were supporters home and away even making some treacherous journeys up to Montreal to cheer on the Rhinos.  After winning the 1999 US Open Cup the Rhinos could legitimately claim that they were the best team in the US and the Stampede were the best supporters group.

I am not sure what happened to them, but like so many thing with the Rhinos, they changed after the move to Paetec.  The day I was done with the Stampede is when they had their backs to the field during a game.  Just like with any team no one is bigger than the team.

When I went to the opener this year there was no supporters group and no atmosphere.  Against Harrisburg in the playoffs there was a new supporters section and an emotion filled match.  We’ve moved on.

Rusty

I was shocked to see an e-mail from a former Stampede member in your mailbox last week.  They were Rhinos till they die. I didn’t see them at the games this year so I just assumed they were all dead.

Bobby

I moved here two years ago from New Mexico and make it out to about a dozen Rhinos games a year.  This year I went to less games because I went to see the Flash play.  I saw the last e-mail last week and was just wondering what is a stampede?

Danielle

An important point

For the record a lot of the former Stampede are still supporters of the Rhinos. Any update on the search for a new coach?

Jack (via Facebook)

Compiler’s Note:  We received a couple of e-mails along the same lines as Jack’s Facebook posting.  There are quite a few former Stampede members who were with us in the beginning and have stuck with us through good times and bad.  For the record the Rhinos appreciate the support and we are lucky to have you as fans

An interesting idea

Hello,

I am a summer camp director and I was looking to take my camp to a Rhinos game over the summer of 2012.  Unfortunately, our camp is a day camp and runs from 9am-3pm.  As a marketing technique, you could have a game during the week with an early start time around 12:00pm and advertise the game as a 'Camp Day'.  You could invite all different soccer and sports camps to come to Sahlen's Stadium for the game.

Ray

Thoughts?  Send us your responses or your own thoughts at mailbox@rhinossoccer.com