the franchise and intends to field a team for the 2022 season. Lee Tucker, who was the project leader at Vardy’s successful V9 Academy – which gave opportunities to non-league players in England seeking to break into the professional game, will be appointed Sporting Director. On September 1, 2021, it was announced that the club had gone through an extensive makeover as part of the club’s rebirth, the Rhinos had a complete rebrand to Rochester New York FC or RNYFC for short, and had a new logo introduced. The new club badge features an abstract rendering of Rochester's High Falls waterfall. The club returned to play in 2022, and were the only independent club in the new MLS Next Pro league. They made the playoffs. Stadium Fauver Stadium; Rochester, New York (1996) Frontier Field; Rochester, New York (1996–2005) Marina Auto Stadium; Rochester, New York (2006–2017) John L. DiMarco Field; Brighton, New York (2022) The Raging Rhinos first began play in 1996 at Fauver Stadium, a soccer venue at the University of Rochester. They then played at Frontier Field, a Minor League Baseball park, from 1996 to 2005. Starting in 2006, the team played in Marina Auto Stadium, a soccer-specific stadium built for their use. When the Rhinos went on hiatus at the end of 2017, they originally sought to remain at the stadium, scheduling neutral-site USL matches during the 2018 season to meet the terms of their lease. However, in August 2018 the team announced they would be seeking a new venue. In June 2021, when the team announced a new co-owner ahead of a planned return to play in 2022, they indicated they would play at Empire United Soccer Complex in Henrietta, New York. However, Empire United's field had no stands, concessions, or other amenities, and would have required upgrades for professional soccer use. In order to be ready for a March 2022 kickoff in MLS Next Pro, the team announced in December 2021 that they would instead play at John L. DiMarco Field, a 1,500-capacity soccer and lacrosse venue at Monroe Community College in Brighton, New York. Club culture Supporters Rochester New York FC had two major supporters' groups. Founded in 2011, the Oak Street Brigade previously occupied section 101 at Capelli Sport Stadium, the former home of the Rochester Rhinos. The other major supporters' group is the North Star Ultras. Players and staff Roster Notable former players