MONTREAL – FC Montreal hosts the Rochester Rhinos this Saturday at 3pm EDT at the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex for its 10th USL season game.
The Montrealers won their last game by a 2-1 score on the road against the Richmond Kickers. Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla scored the winning goal, his second of the year, on an assist by David Choinière. Alessandro Riggi scored first, on a penalty.
Following that performance, goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau was named on the USL Team of the Week, while Tabla was named among the 18 players of the week.
“It strengthens the bonds, as that was a game where we won the three points with a lot of solidarity,” said FC Montreal’s head coach Philippe Eullaffroy. “Again, it confirms that perseverance, quality and effort bear their fruits. Rochester is still the defending champion and a really solid team. We have to show our full potential. What’s important will be mostly the mental aspect and the way we approach the game, but without being overconfident. Then, we will have a chance to make them doubt.”
“We feel good, and it’s nice to win,” said defender Thomas Meilleur-Giguère. “The intensity is rising higher and higher. We are waiting for Rochester with confidence, as we know what happened with them in the club’s history.”
Both teams have already faced off this year, at Sahlen’s Stadium on April 23. Although Charles Joly opened the scoring, Christian Volesky’s brace helped the Rhinos to a win.
Rochester is now in sixth position in the Eastern Conference with a 4-2-3 record. The team from New York state hasn’t won in its last three games. Defender Joseph Farrell and forward Christian Volesky are the top scorers of the team with three goals each.
Saturday’s game will also mark the Rhino’s first visit back at the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex, which was home to the Montreal Impact’s first team from 1993 to 2007. Through the years, a rivalry emerged on the field and in the stands between the two clubs.
“The players know the history of the club, and this rivalry with Rochester has existed for a long time,” added Eullaffroy. “Symbolically, it is stronger with this site. It feels like we’re going back 10 years to when the Rhinos played back here. It strengthens this symbolic.”
Again, some players from the MLS team may be available for the game depending on their playing time needs.
Saturday, fans can enter the stadium on the Southwest side of the field starting at 2pm. Tickets cost $5, with $1 going to the Montreal Impact Foundation. Admission is free for season ticket holders on presentation of their membership card. With the first team not playing this weekend, this is a good chance to keep supporting the Bleu-blanc-noir.
