Frank DuRoss

SL Interview: Frank DuRoss

President Rochester Rhinos

July 11, 2005

With all the recent news about MLS stadiums and expansion, I thought I'd do a follow-up interview with one of our favorite people in the USL, Frank DuRoss, President of the Rochester Rhinos. I wanted to ask Frank about his team's current form, but also to ask about the production of Paetec Park and the clubs possible future as an MLS expansion team. Here's how it went:

SoccerLoop: Frank, first off, thank you very much for taking the time to answer a few of our questions. You are now 9 matches into the season. How do you assess the team's performance on the pitch thus far?

Frank DuRoss: The team has really been on a roll lately. I think that the players have bought into Laurie's systems and are starting to feel comfortable with each other.

SL: Laurie Calloway is the second Head Coach in the team's history. How do you feel he has done replacing Pat Ercoli?

FD: We are where we thought we would be at this point. Obviously, it takes time for a coach and players to become acclimated to each other. We are very pleased with where the team is right now.

SL: Has there been a positive or negative effect now that the A-League has changed to the USL First Division. And what kind of effect has the Single Table had on your team as well as the other teams?

FD: I think there have been many positives to the situation. The ownership groups have become stronger and the competitive balance has really leveled out. That has caused a lot of parity between the teams. Also, the single table gives our fans an opportunity to see players and teams that they may not usually get a chance to see on a normal season basis.

SL: MLS has been taking some big strides and making some major announcements over the past few months in regards to building new stadiums, expansion, signing high profile players, etc. How does this affect the Rhinos?

FD: I think that it really affects soccer in this country as a whole. The added exposure and positive steps can only help build the game and make it stronger at all levels.

SL: MLS Commissioner, Don Garber, has stated many times over the past few weeks that MLS will be expanding in the next few years. There have been a few accounts where he has mentioned Rochester as a possible expansion city. Where do the Rhinos currently stand in regards to expansion discussions with MLS?

FD: Right now all our concentration is focused on the completion of our soccer-specific stadium, PAETEC Park. That is the top priority right now.

SL: How would you describe your relationship with MLS.

FD: We have a great working relationship with the League and their clubs. Their main goal is the same as ours: grow the sport of soccer and develop our professional game to a high level.

SL: When will Paetec Park be ready to debut its first Rhinos match?

FD: The first Phase of the stadium is very close to completion. We are currently working on additional funding for Phase II that would allow us to add to the stadium and add excited amenities.

SL: As MLS continues to grow, it seems focus starts to shift away from the USL. How much of a priority is it for the Rhinos to join MLS?

FD: Right now we are focused on the growth of the game and our fans. The USL is a great league with very strong teams. Our main priority is to win matches and try to capture the First Division title and a US Open Cup.

SL: Don Garber has recently alluded to the point that Toronto and Houston are the lead candidates for expansion in 2007. What are your thoughts on those statements?

FD: There have been many potential candidates on the list for MLS. Those are two great cities and I am sure that MLS will go through its due diligence to make the proper decisions to make the MLS a strong league.

SL: How has upper management of the USL responded to your push to become an MLS team?

FD: The USL has always been very supportive to not only our team, but to all the teams in the League. The League wants each club to be successful, no matter what league it is in.

Article by: Steven Patton