New England Soccer Today

USL: Mulgrew, Rudy Nearly Grab Winner in Rhinos’ Draw

Photo credit: Rochester Rhinos

Photo credit: Rochester Rhinos

Revolution loanees Timi Mulgrew and Tyler Rudy nearly linked up to score late, but the flag went up before the ball settled into the back of the net in Saturday’s 0-0 draw between the Rochester Rhinos and Charlotte Independence at Sahlen’s Stadium.

In the 80th minute, Rudy led a counter-attack, then played a pass to Mulgrew out on the wing. Mulgrew carried the ball into the box, crossed to the center, and Rudy deflected it in. However, the assistant referee ruled Rudy offside, thus negating the would-be goal.

Mulgrew entered the game in the 67th minute, while Rudy came into the match in the 71st. Rudy subsequently left the game with a leg injury in stoppage time after colliding with an opposing player while sliding in for a loose ball.

The draw marks the first match that Rochester did not take all three points in a home match, though their home mark still stands at a sparkling 6-0-1.

Goalkeeper Brandon Miller recorded his ninth shutout in his 12th start of the season, and the Rhinos have only conceded six goals through their first 18 matches.

The Rhinos’ record now stands at 11-0-7 (40 points) and they extend their franchise-record unbeaten streak to 18 games, though they did lose ground to the second-place Charleston Battery, who won on Saturday to pull within six points of Rochester at the top of the Eastern Conference table.

The Rhinos have a chance to reclaim some of that ground when they host Charleston on Sunday, Jul. 26.

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