Doug Miller is slated to play for the Lancers June 30. (FrontRowSoccer.com Photo)
Doug Miller is coming out of retirement — again.
The 49-year-old Miller, whose scoring exploits help establish the Rochester Rhinos as a force and professional soccer in the modern era in Rochester, N.Y., will suit up for the Rochester Lancers later this month.
They will host the Greater Binghamton FC Thunder at Marina Auto Stadium in a National Premier Soccer League game Saturday, June 30 at 5 p.m.
As Lancers head coach, Miller will have the first and last words as to when he will play.
According to the Lancers, the comeback will be short as Miller most likely won’t perform for more than 10 or 20 minutes in the match. Lancers founder Salvatore “Soccer Sam” Fantauzzo wanted Miller to say he played a game at the stadium.
Miller has never played at the stadium, which opened in 2006.
His glory days came when the Rhinos (United Soccer League) played at Frontier Field, a baseball park that is home to the Rochester Red Wings. During his time with the Rhinos, Miller helped the club to a league championship and the 1999 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup crown. He also tallied 75 times in 146 appearances for the club.
When Miller hits the pitch, he will have performed for the Rhinos and indoor and outdoor Lancers, a soccer hat-trick in the Northwestern New York City.
Miller came out of retirement to play for the indoor Lancers at the age of 41 and played most recently for the Syracuse Silver Knights (Major Arena Soccer League) in 2016.
According to the Lancers’ website, it will be the third or fourth time Miller will come out of retirement.
The Lancers men’s game will be the second game of a doubleheader that day as the Lady Lancers will welcome the Western New York Flash for a 2 p.m. United Women’s Soccer encounter at the stadium.