The years 2020 and 2021 will be one big special celebration for the Rochester Lancers.
Not only will their indoor team wear throwback jerseys of the 1970 Rochester team, the organization will pay tribute to the history of Rochester pro soccer. The team's custom new blue and yellow stripped uniforms will be in honor of the Lancers 1970 North American Soccer League champions and the 1996 A-League Rhinos.
The jerseys are $50 apiece, plus shipping, handling and custom print. They will go on sale at RLancers.com on Sept. 13, the 50th anniversary of when the Lancers won the 1970 championship. Fans select which player and number, coach or staff to have on the back of the shirts. All proceeds go to players, owners and staff or the families of these legends.
Rochester boasts a storied soccer history of more than five decades.
The Lancers joined the NASL in 1970, capturing the championship as well. Fifty years ago, that began an amazing era of Lancers soccer. The team helped develop indoor soccer and was part of the Pele era in America.
The original ownership group, led by Charlie Schiano and Pat Dinolfo, changed soccer in Rochester, N.Y. forever. The original team folded after the 198O season. In 2011 Salvatore “SoccerSam” Fantauzzo brought the Lancers name and logo back. Since then, the Lancers have played indoors in the Major Indoor Soccer League, Major Arena Soccer League and M2. The outdoor Lancers have played in the National Premier Soccer League and the Lady Lancers in United Women's Soccer.
The Lancers-Rhinos connections run deep.
Former Rhinos Billy Andracki and Doug Miller have coached the team. Several former Rhinos players and staff members have been part of the new Lancers. Chris Wilmot, a minority owner with the Rhinos, was part of the new Lancers ownership group in 2011. Rhinos front office executives Rich Randall and Kayla Klark Kent help relaunch the Lancers in 2011. The history of the Lancers name and logo has continued throughout Monroe County and Western New York with Lancers youth teams, adult indoor, outdoor and beach soccer teams operated by former and current Lancers and Rhinos players.
The Rochester Raging Rhinos brought pro soccer back to the town in 1996. Twenty-five years ago the team was announced and was the first pro sports team to play at Frontier Field, even before the Red Wings. The 1996 Rhinos reunited the passion and love for soccer in the area. With sellout crowds, with star players and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup wins over Major League Soccer teams. Former Lancers fans Steve Donner and Chris Economides, with their hockey friend from Utica N.Y., Frank Duross, helped the team make Rochester Soccer Town USA! Led by former Lancers player and head coach Pat Ercoli, the Rhinos won several championships including the 1999 Open Cup. Pat is married to the daughter of original Lancers owner Pat Dinolfo. Assistant coaches Francisco “Pancho” Escos and Frank Odoi also were Lancers players. All three coaches were inducted into the Lancers Wall of Fame with several original owners and players. Original Rhino Yogi McKay’s father Andy was an original Lancer in 1967.
The Rhinos moved from Frontier Field in 2006 and a new ownership group lead by Utica, N.Y. banker Rob Clark and operated by Fantauzzo helped keep pro soccer alive in 2008. David and Wendy Dworkin saved the team in 2018 and are planning relaunch the club soon. All three Rhinos ownership groups invested millions of dollars to help keep pro soccer alive in Monroe County.
The jerseys are $50 apiece, plus shipping, handling and custom print. They will go on sale at RLancers.com on Sept. 13, the 50th anniversary of when the Lancers won the 1970 championship. All proceeds go to players, owners and staff or the families of these legends.
Here is a list of replica jerseys that you can own (in number order):
1970 Rochester Lancers
0. Dick Howard
1. Claude Campos
2. Phil Davis
2. Jesus Pelez Miranda
3. Charlie Mitchell
4. Bob DeLuca
5. Peter Short
6. Nelson Bergamo
7. Dave Thomson
8. Jim Lefkos
9. Raul Herrera
10. Luis Marotte
11. Carlos Metidieri
12. Francisco Ullivari
12. Carlos Hernandez
14. Winston Earle
14. Josip Ognjanac
15. Yao Kankam
15. Alfredo Torres
16. Frank Odoi
17. Gladstone Ofori
18. Cehan Yazar
Coaches: Sal DeRosa. Alex Perolli
Trainer: Joe Sirianni
Owners: Charlie Schiano and Pat Dinolfo
Special guest player: Michael Lewis
1996 Rochester Rhinos (with Lancers logo)
0. Rhett Thompson
1. Bill Andracki
2. Dino Lopez
2. Marco Rizi
3. Tim Ashe
4. Leon Minott
5. Yuri Smotrich
6. Rene Rivas
7. Henry Gutierrez
8. Tommy Tanner
9. Danny Kelly
10. Yogi McKay
11. Kofi Debrah
12. Paul Young
14. Gustavo Villagra
14. Tom Wurdak
14. Gustavo Romanello
15. Howard Allen
15. Pat Ercoli
16. Chris Kennell
16. Zoran Karic
17. Fuseini Dauda
18. Carl Hopfinger
19. Doug Miller
20. Ken Tometsko
21. Hector Marinaro
22. Darrell Stuart
23. Lenin Steenkamp
Coaches: Pat Ercoli, Frank Odoi, Francisco Escos
Original owners: Steve Donner, Chris Economides, Frank Duross.
Special guest player: Jeff DiVeronica
The jerseys are $50 apiece, plus shipping, handling and custom print. They will go on sale at RLancers.com on Sept. 13, the 50th anniversary of when the Lancers won the 1970 championship. All proceeds go to players, owners and staff or the families of these legends.
FRONT ROW SOCCER
