When MLS DIDN'T Win the US Open Cup: The Story of the 1999 Rochester Raging Rhinos

Since the league first began play in 1996, MLS has won 23 of 24 US Open Cups. In 1999, a group of players that were tired of being overlooked decided to flip the script, and shock US soccer. This is the story of the 1999 Rochester Raging Rhinos.
~~ Subscribe for Weekly MLS Content! ~~
bit.ly/2Wm3EFQ
~~ Follow me on Twitter! ~~
/ dannytradio

[@mrrazrback2471]

THIS IS WHY US SOCCER NEEDS PROMOTION AND RELEGATION

[@ryansmith1044]

A-fucking-men

[@davepazz580]

Not really...

[@BKIslandersfan]

I would actually argue this argues against pro rel.

[@rodrigofilipe5658]

Exactly, teams should be in the highest level because they earn it, not because they pay for it, idk who can argue against it

[@davepazz580]

*Exactly, teams should be in the highest level because they earn it, not because they pay for it, idk who can argue against it* That logic is better applied to individual players rather than to entire teams... If a team is in the "top league", even if they paid to be there, then it stands to reason they will acquire the best players available to them anyway... more so than a second or third division club. So ultimately, it makes no real difference...

[@leftiequixote]

Awesome video. I always forget the Rhinos won the Open Cup during the MLS days. Always fun seeing USL vs MLS games.

[@ChristopherLeonJohnson]

The MLS runs the US soccer media and they make sure that teams that are not MLS don't get real coverage.

[@rourketaylor9436]

Rochester was my OG team. Grew up watching them at frontier and later the new stadium, i never get sick of hearing about this amazing run to the open cup. Great video thank you for putting Rochester raging rhinos back into the media!!

[@ricklewis2068]

New stadium. In the worst area of the city. Horrible mistake. Can’t wait for next year.

[@ifiwantyoutofeel]

😳🥲

[@MrCheeseman5656]

I always thought it was cool that the Rhinos won one US open cup. My dad is a huge NY Cosmos fan and I went to some heated NYCFC and ny redbulls vs cosmos matches. Hopefully they can get a good run this year.

[@dannytradio]

I'd say they've got a good shot in their second round game against Hartford. I would love to see them take on another MLS team this year

[@alternatehistorysports]

This would be such a great sports movie! Training montage included

[@ricklewis2068]

Great video. This was before my finding the Rhinos and having season tickets from 2010-hiatus. I really hope when we come back next year we make this city a soccer city once again.

[@gemadan96]

I was there on July 12, 1996 when they opened Frontier Field beating Montreal on a Doug Miller hat trick. Went to many games from 96-2010 and had season tickers for 2009 and 2010. Saw everyone of their home Open Cup games. Our family misses those days. Compared to just about every league team they played and many of the MLS squads they played, they were hardly considered thugs. In fact most of the MLS squads that came to Rochester played more thug like, even for friendlies.

[@themlszone6961]

Well done👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@foxintheboxes7158]

Jamie Vardy is having a party

[@bobbydrex5268]

Also the major issue (besides the fact that the stadium was built in one of the worst areas in all of Rochester) after they built the stadium was that after it was built, the City of Rochester took over ownership of it because the owners at the time couldn't afford it. The city then black balled the team; financially, with lack of media coverage, etc. Anddd now they're gone.

[@glennaldosf]

Watching this all the way from Qatar... love this channel btw...

[@miguelpadilla31]

Great video!

[@gilbertfamilyvids]

Don't forget the Rhinos also made the U.S. Open Cup Final in 1996. A second division team in the final twice in 4 seasons!

[@davidaselin994]

As a Rochesterian graduating in 99, the run was epic. Thanks for posting.

[@mikeyz1080]

Those rhinos teams were so loaded back then it was dumb the mls constantly cried about playing them .. but they had that dog in them literally beat up on the ny/nj metro stars in a scrimmage ...lol

[@gerardgiuliano2806]

Saddest story in American professional soccer, bad/corrupt owners and the MLS never gave em a chance, miss those days as a kid

[@usasupersoccer]

Great video and beautiful story! I hope to see Rochester Rhinos back to professional soccer soon. Can you make a video about 1995 and 2008 U.S. Open Cup?

[@ChristianSReitz]

little piece of history i didnt know about my hometown VA Beach. Super cool discovering the Rhinos AND the Crew played a match here! good stuff, great channel!

[@MadeYouWook]

Now they are coming back! Jamie Vardey is gonna bring this club back to its former glory!

[@KingofNothing778]

With a really dumb rebrand, should have kept the rhinos name

[@MadeYouWook]

@@KingofNothing778 I agree!

[@josephstalin1350]

JAMIE VARDY HAVING A PARTY

[@XLRAshon]

RIP Rhinos

[@bobbysworldrox]

If they're gonna play at another baseball stadium why not just stay in the stadium they built until they build another one?

[@jerrynash8920]

We definitely need promotion and relegation in US Soccer. That why I personally watch The EPL and Bundesliga more than I do MLS. And I happen to be a Dynamo fan. Heaven or Hell.

[@captainfalconmain6576]

Your right mls soccer fans should stop crying about the idea of promation and relagtion

[@davidsabillon5182]

Good stuff 👍.

[@mering5298]

R.I.P to the Rhinos

[@bobbydrex5268]

Rhinos used to be the hottest ticket in town when they played at Frontier Field. Growing up and going to the games were electric. The soccer history of Rochester is top tier in America. The whole story after this 1999 US Open Cup and not getting MLS in 2006 has just been so depressing. I'd like to think of an alternate universe where SKC never gets the new ownership and stadium, moves to ROC and we are in MLS from then on. The likes of Beckham, Keane, Zlatan, and now Messi having to fly into the ROC airport for games here lmaoooo

[@bradysinclair6591]

I live in Rochester and the rhinos suck now

[@JohnSmith-ys1wr]

lets be honest, mls 1999 was a 3 year okd league. it was no better than the usl.

[@davepazz580]

Exactly... today this would never happen.

[@winstonway9705]

The USOC is what makes MLS completely different from the other American sports with a 'major league'. Being a pro/am tournament, the small amateur teams can compete with professional major league (MLS) sides, while NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB are closed professional sports entities. A small town amateur US soccer team can logically be world champions through the USOC, winning the cup, then the CCL and eventually the Club World Cup.

[@TheRGCat]

They resurrected... Only to crash and burn again. I'm so sad. 😭 Grew up watching them and now even my Dad won't even bother. I'm still a diehard fan and would love to see them rise from the ashes... But their website basically is saying "we're toast"... RIP...

[@scottlow6342]

Can you do a video of the Canadian premier League I know it's only been 1 season but still would make an interesting video and cheers from Canada

[@janstep1774]

my favorite was when Christos FC shocked US Soccer....I was like what the hell...those guys are good....

[@sebastianaraque354]

U should make a D.C. united dynasty video

[@MsJC96]

Neutral semi-finals is common in the UK, FA cup , Scottish cup and Irish cup all do it. USA is too big for this practice

[@tomico9154]

The reason theres a huge gap between MLS and the other leagues is the lack of relagation and promotion. The lower teams have pretty much no reason to invest MLS level money with no chance of reaching the top league.

[@hejabvb19]

7:51 I mean they do it for the FA Cup

[@starmaster65]

Rochester is the only team I remember watching when my local semi-pro team played in USL! Those were the good old days...

[@bramos1738]

Dope content ! Please do the Charleston Battery run in 2008 now !

[@coachpretz]

This is America’s version of the “Crazy Gang”

[@charlesthebrick5251]

Bridger Pretz facts

[@ricklewis2068]

The biggest problem with the Rhinos stadium is that it’s in the most unsafe area of the city. I never had trouble with Rhinos games, so many people around, but it’s now a murder every other day. So it’s not great, no one wanted to go there. Next year will be our reincarnation

[@TheNotoriousNemo]

It's funny because Sacramento is making a run for it, and I hope they win lol

[@waqarkhan25]

Yes but sadly they are not in MLS now it's Sacremento repbuic FC

[@JBarg25]

Good stuff. It's too bad that there's not much video out there of the Rhinos' heyday. The short answer as to why they never went up to MLS is that the owners simply never realistically had the money. Stadium plans kept being downsized and they were depending more and more on state money that was being held up. The current owners pushing the relaunch back to 2021, and there's been little movement on a new stadium. Honestly, I think they may have no choice to either go back to Marina Auto Stadium or throw in the towel for good.

[@bradysinclair6591]

Yea i live on rochester and I dont think they have been active since 2018.btheh use the stadium for Recreation soccer. I hope they start up again

[@george101778]

I would be more happy for them but sadly beating Colorado in the finals

[@kneebon5]

Hmm, baseball field, upset Chicago fire. Can only dream Union Omaha pulls a rhino this year.

[@Patrick61804]

Sacramento can

[@kneebon5]

@@Patrick61804 hope so. That was a great match vs KC

[@lrios310]

They are now joining the usl league one in 2021

[@barrycream2139]

And now we don’t have any soccer teams 😅

[@ralph_7937]

Dam Sacramento might win the open cup

[@alessuarez8280]

I've been to many R.R.R. as a young boy, now I live in Dallas TX, and been to F.C. Dallas games Wich are not as fun or memorable. They deserved a chance at MLS. Rochester was a big soccer city when I grew up there so many Fans willing to show up. MLS mafia didn't allow them.

[@AZWMKWofficialstarNinjaGeneral]

a missed opportunity for mls to add the raging rhinos the Criteria was different back in the day

[@craigmcvay1]

Roster, do they come with curry n chips.? 9:36 this trophy looks like the FA Trophy the yanks are copying are silver was again.

[@Ese96Agoaye]

So, would it be fair to say Rochester Rhinos are the Wimbledon (the original club - not AFC Wimbledon) of the USL?

[@alexsalinas5203]

Ever since finding your videos you have changed my thoughts of MLS so much , thank you for your videos bro . My 8 hour shift is a lil easier watching your videos brother .

[@TheCono2]

As a Rochesterarian myself, I love the rhinos and I loved to go to their games. I always got some sort of amazing feeling being in the stadium (it was moved to an actual soccer field now). I also remember seeing Rochester play Chicago fire in Rochester and feeling so proud seeing a MLS team in Rochester. I remember seeing how the crowds were getting smaller and smaller and it was very disappointing.

[@waqarkhan25]

Yes

[@Dzod500]

the fact that sacramento republic almost made it to mls and are in us open cup final 2022 is scary

[@DavidFromTampa]

2021 might be the best chance a lower division team will ever have at winning the Open Cup again because of the condensed format

[@snakeyjake]

If there was promotion/relegation the Rochester Rhinos would still be around. Drives me nuts

[@michaelbozinovski9357]

Go Sacramento

[@uszkera]

26 fouls thats not much look at Brasilian football there are like 40 fouls per game 30 at least

[@maximusilive4theking986]

I remember when I almost tried out for them but instead went to the Los Angeles legends who I think don't exist anymore.

[@bobbysworldrox]

BTW can you do one on Chicago fire and Toyota park an soldier field situation?

[@davidadkins1881]

No lie I was thinking about this earlier and I see it on my recommendations

[@Ese96Agoaye]

Would it be fair to say Rochester Rhinos are the Wimbledon (the original club, not AFC Wimbledon) of the USL?

[@damico18]

As a rhinos fan who’s been recently watching and learning the Wimbledon story, yea there is some good similarities between the two

[@radzo1675]

Love the team but they never sorted out the fact that they ALWAYS had horrible logos. Yep you're wrong, even the old school one is shit.

[@ulrichvonliechtenstein6138]

It's a Rhino. What do ya want?

[@anthonylong9067]

Aw yes. Pat Onstad. He was one helluva goalkeeper.

[@theatlaschronicles8447]

rapids hold so many worst mls records. This club is so hard to support

[@dannytradio]

I feel your pain man. I’m a fan of the Fire. I remember when making the conference finals was the bare minimum expectation. Now we’ve only made the playoffs twice this decade 🤦‍♂️

[@LeechUFC]

DannyTRadio plus the fire always sign quality so it’s bizarre

[@jormacox]

Rapids fan here, agree

[@coachpretz]

This is America’s version of the “Crazy Gang”

[@beauxjones8793]

New stadiums means new ticket prices.

[@stephen2231]

New Mexico United baby!

[@elmarquesdelvalle]

Some videos of NISA would be good.

[@stephen2231]

Nm United all the way!!!

[@CeemPlay]

Fairytale

[@kortyk1350]

Love the content

[@inquisitive871]

Lol. Was it even televised?

[@davepazz580]

Yes it was...

[@rascalguy60]

"The MLS"

[@Deco_2k]

lol

[@chipmarks5247]

The problem with the stadium was there was virtually no parking and to get there you have to chance getting mugged. Hopefully they'll build in Henrietta or Webster area..

[@jeffdbaker71]

What makes good soccer? Hows about not calling it "soccer"?

[@FinoAllaFine-zd5ky]

Not a miracle, it’s bad refereeing and the bad sportsmanship. Football, not soccer.

[@DavidN16792]

Who cares virgin, soccer.

[@FinoAllaFine-zd5ky]

@@DavidN16792 OK

[@Deco_2k]

What are u talking about, you still dont get it man its all about how u play the game, did you know EPL big guns got knock out of the FACup,their version of the USopenCup, all the time from lower league in England. it happens all the time ..

[@ocbee6175]

Deco Lard but not in the MLS