Predicting the Rhinos Roster and Pouring One Out for Failed Trialists

The roster for the Rochester Rhinos has very much been a work in progress over the past couple weeks. With the team's first match of the 2015 USL season fast approaching, Bob Lilley and Pat Ercoli have extended offers to a number of players from the revolving door of preseason training camp.

Assuming all of the players reach agreements with the team and everyone signs and files the proper paperwork, below is the full roster for the Rochester Rhinos ahead of the Saturday's season opener at Red Bull Arena.

3 goalkeepers
9 defenders
8 defenders
4 forwards
24 total local players + the Revolution loanees

Sean Murdoch GK
Adam Grinwis GK
Brandon Miller GK *
Onua Obasi D *
Grant van de Casteele D
Julian Ringhof D
Sean Totsch D
Ricardo Webb D
Pat McMahon D *
Nikola Paunic D
Will Seymore D
Vassilis Apostolopoulos  D
Tony Walls D/M *
Christian Silva  M
Mike Garzi M *
Kenardo Forbes M
Marcos Ugarte M
Johnny Mendoza M *
Drew Ruggles M
Alex Dixon M/F *
Christian Volesky F
Colin Rolfe F *
Asani Samuels F
Duba F

* indicates players returning from the 2014 campaign, the rest are recent additions to the team.

Bob Lilley said after the game on Friday that Rochester expects to receive the loaned players from New England early next week. These players will probably be the younger guys on the Revolution roster but not a goalkeeper because assistant coach Remi Roy prefers to have 3 'keepers in training. This leaves Tyler Rudy, London Woodberry, and Timi Mulgrew as the most obvious candidates for development in Rochester.

Keep in mind that while the number 4 is seen as a hard-set rule, the Revs could only send 3 players at this time and could definitely send more players at a later date.

Despite the excitement about the forthcoming season opener, here's a look at some of the guys who didn't make the cut. Lilley and his coaching staff decided not to sign a number of talented players this preseason.

Laurent Lanteri, the French winger who played recently in Italy, scored the team's goal against Ottawa but did not earn a contract.

Powerful Cabo Verdean left back Delmiro showed strong defensive play while offering constant support to the attack but did not last like his compatriot and former teammate Duba.

Stavros Tsoulakos had great hold up play and distribution as a target forward but the Greek striker was apparently too similar to other options available to Bob Lilley.

Tyler Arnone was a controlling presence in central midfield on both sides of the ball but the former Detroit City FC midfielder didn't make the team.

Aurelien Norest is headed to the Premier Development League to continue his trajectory to professional socer after trialing with OKC Energy FC and the Rochester Rhinos in recent weeks.

Troy Hernandez is 27-year-old goalkeeper looking to have a break-out season but Lilley needs to have complete confidence in his options between the posts. The same sentiment applies to Scott Basalaj, a 20-year-old New Zealander goalkeeper who played recently for Partick Thistle's youth sides.

Will Walker is a wide midfielder who played at Xavier alongside his twin brother Matt and during their academy years the Ohio natives played at Columbus Crew Academy.

Fabio Machado is an attacking midfielder from Providence College whom the Revolution were keeping tabs but who didn't show enough on the mental side to impress Bob Lilley.

Matty Hall is a veteran full back who has bounced around the lower divisions over the past couple seasons with LA Blues, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, and Richmond Kickers.

Mitch Kavlick, a native of Erie, Pennsylvania, who played at Saint Francis University and in the NPSL with Erie Admirals in both midfield and defensive roles.

After the moment of silence for the players who won't suit up for the Rhinos in 2015, let's focus on the squad that Lilley has assembled and how they'll fare against NYRB II on Saturday night.