The Rochester Rhinos opened the week just in front of last-place Puerto Rico on the strength of their draw against Miami last week only to see the Islanders jump back in front with a 3-0 win over Carolina Thursday. Rochester answered back on Friday with a stunning 3-0 victory over the league-leading Vancouver Whitecaps, avenging an embarrassing 3-0 defeat the Rhinos suffered in the championship at the very same PAETEC Park two years prior in the championship game.
Mauricio Salles shattered the Rhinos scoring drought with two goals and an assist on the night as Rochester's attack finally found some teeth. He opened the scoring with a 20-yard blast that took a slight deflection en route to goal in the 32nd minute of action.
The goal that arguably broke the back of the Whitecaps came just 11 seconds into the second half when the kickoff worked its way quickly back to goalkeeper Scott Vallow, who had and excellent night in goal. Vallow bombed the ball upfield to the left side, where Salles directly flicked it past the defense for an onrushing Johnny Menyongar to put past Jay Nolly.
Ze Roberto, who set up the initial goal and had a shot ring off the crossbar just before the break, found Salles again in the 62nd minute to put the match out of reach.
