 | |||
| Founded | 1996 as Rochester Raging Rhinos | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Dissolved | March 2023[1][2] | ||
| Stadium | John L. DiMarco Field | ||
| Capacity | 1,500 | ||
| Owner | David and Wendy Dworkin[3] Jamie Vardy[4] | ||
| President | Pat Ercoli | ||
| 2022 | 4th, Eastern Conference Playoffs: Conference Semifinals | ||
| Website | https://rnyfc.com/ | ||
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Rochester New York FC, formerly known as the Rochester Raging Rhinos and later the Rochester Rhinos, was an American soccer team based in Rochester, New York, United States. In 2023, the club withdrew from the professional level in MLS Next Pro. The club won the 1999 U.S. Open Cup, marking the only time a non-MLS team has won the U.S. Open Cup since MLS started play in 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.[5] 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.[6][1][2]
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.
- ^ a b Rochester NY FC ceases operations, will not play in 2023 by AJ Feldman at Rochester First, 10 March 2023
- ^ a b Update on Rochester New York FC and MLS NEXT Pro, MLS Press Release, 10 Mar 2023
- ^ DiVeronica, Jeff (January 15, 2016). "New Rhinos owners are part owners of Sacramento Kings". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Archived from the original on December 15, 2017. Retrieved February 21, 2017.
- ^ "Jamie Vardy: Leicester City striker becomes co-owner of American football club Rochester Rhinos". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on June 15, 2021. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
- ^ Rhinos, Rochester (November 30, 2017). "ROCHESTER RHINOS ANNOUNCE DECISIONS FOR 2018 SEASON". Archived from the original on December 3, 2017. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
- ^ "Jamie Vardy re-brands US football club Rochester New York FC ahead of professional return". skysports.com. Sky UK. September 1, 2021. Archived from the original on September 30, 2021. Retrieved September 30, 2021.