USL fully supports Rhinos

The management of the United Soccer Leagues is fully behind the troubled Rochester Rhinos and expects the team to compete in the USL First Division this year and into the future.

USL Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Tim Holt this afternoon expressed the leagues' support of beleauguered Rhinos owners Frank DuRoss and Steve Donner.

"We believe in the current ownership group," Holt said. "The Rochester Rhinos have always been a flagship franchise in the United Soccer Leagues."

"We are certainly aware (of the Rhinos' situation)," he added. "The ownership group has been very communicative and transparent with us throughout the process, especially the last few weeks."

Holt noted that the Rhinos have always had an enthusiastic soccer market in Rochester and now boast their own stadium. He acknowledged that the team has had trouble completing the construction of PAETEC Park, but he also expressed optimism about the new investor the Rhinos have waiting in the wings. He said the USL believes the new investor will turn the team's fortunes around.

"They certainly need additional investment," he said, adding that "we are 100-percent supportive of that effort."

The revelation that NBT Bank, one of the Rhinos' main creditors, has sued the team for nearly $11 million in unpaid debt, as well as city of Rochester Mayor Bob Duffy's comments indicating the city's willingness to take over PAETEC Park, have prompted some fans and observers to question whether the team will be able to sustain itself and field a team, even this coming season.

But Holt dismissed such speculation.

"It's not anything that concerns us," he said. "We have every confidence that the Rhinos will be competing in Rochester this season. We fully expect them to be a part of the season."

However, Holt added that "we certainly will continue to monitor the situation."