Annual Lynx East meets West night
Published on August 30, 2005 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Toronto Lynx News Release
Tuesday, August 30, 2005 (TORONTO, ON) - The Toronto Lynx will play their final two home matches of the 2005 season this weekend when they welcome the Vancouver Whitecaps on Friday, September 2nd at 8pm before wrapping up their home schedule on Labour Day Monday, September 5th at 4pm versus the Minnesota Thunder. The Lynx will conclude their 2005 season with a 2-game road trip to Puerto Rico for matches versus the Islanders on Friday, September 9th at 8pm and Sunday, September 11th at 5pm.
The Lynx will kickoff the weekend by welcoming their Canadian rival, the Vancouver Whitecaps for the annual Lynx East Meets West Night presented by Lynx media partner, World Journal and broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports World Canada. The match will feature dynamic entertainment demonstrations from Cantai Kung Fu and Northern Legs Southern Fists Dragon Dancers as well as VIP, Dr. Ming Tat Cheung, President of the Chinese Cultural Centre of Toronto, who will be on hand to perform the ceremonial kickoff. On the field, the Lynx will be looking for their first victory in 8 matches after conceding late equalizers to Puerto Rico and Virginia Beach in their last two matches. Striker, Said Ali, will have extra incentive as he searches for his first goal in Lynx colours. Ali was acquired from Vancouver in exchange for defender, Josue Mayard on June 17th. The Hamilton resident has been in the Lynx starting lineup for the past two matches and excels in the penalty area using his size and strength to hold the ball up for his teammates.
The match will have huge playoff implications for the Whitecaps as they currently sit in third place in the USL First Division with an 11-4-9 record. They trail the second place Rochester Raging Rhinos by 3 points but have 2 games in hand. The top two finishers in the USL First Division regular season will receive first round byes in the playoffs. Lynx fans will also have the opportunity to see the USL First Division's leading goal scorer this Friday. Whitecaps striker, Jason Jordan, has 17 goals and 3 assists in 24 matches this season and is the run away league leader in points with 37. In addition to Jordan and a loaded offense that also features former Canadian National Team players Carlo Corrazin and Martin Nash, the Whitecaps have the second best defensive record in the USL First Division. The beneficiaries of the solid defensive play have been goalkeepers, Michael Franks and Josh Wicks, who both rank in the league's top 10 in shutouts and goals against average.
Following Friday's match, the Lynx will conclude their 2005 home schedule by welcoming the Minnesota Thunder to Centennial Park Stadium on Monday, September 5th at 4pm for the Lynx Labour Day Celebration presented by the Canadian Auto Workers. The pre-match ceremonies will feature the presentation of the Lynx 2005 Player Awards to include the Most Valuable Player, Best Offensive Player, Best Defensive Player, Public Relations Award and Fan Favourite Award. Lynx and Lady Lynx soccer fans will once again be able to bid on the official game worn jersey of their favourite player during the 2005 season at the match. Bidding will begin approximately one hour before kick off at Centennial Park Stadium. Fans will be able to bid for the official jersey right off the back of their favourite Lynx player and have it autographed immediately following the match. Jerseys from the Eastern Conference Finalist Lady Lynx players will also be available for bidding with several of the Lady Lynx players on hand for a meet and greet following the match.
Monday's opponent, the Minnesota Thunder, will make their first ever visit to Toronto. The clubs previously met in Kitchener, Ontario on May 2nd, 1999 with the Lynx taking a 1-0 overtime decision. The Thunder will be looking to keep their slim playoff hopes alive with a 2-game road trip to Canada this weekend that also includes a match in Montreal on Sunday, September 4th. With a 6-9-10 record, the Thunder currently sit in 10th place in the USL First Division and trail the Portland Timbers by 4 points for the 6th and final playoff spot. Minnesota is led by striker Johnny Menyongar, whose 8 goals and 4 assists rank him in the USL First Division's top 5 in points. This season could be the third top 10 scoring finish in Menyongar's six-year career with Minnesota. The Thunder is the 1999 USL First Division Champions as well as a 3-time finalist and is led by USL Hall of Fame Coach, Buzz Lagos. Lagos was a co-founder of the Thunder and has been involved with the club since it's inception in 1990 and was inducted into the USL Hall of Fame as both a coach and a builder in 2003.
USL First Division Stories from August 30, 2005
- Timbers' Alcaraz-Cuellar earns league honor - Portland Timbers
- Whitecaps clinch playoff berth - Vancouver Whitecaps
- USL Announces Week 19 Team of the Week - USL-1
- Annual Lynx East meets West night - Toronto Lynx
- Richmond to host celebration in honor of Ukrop - Richmond Kickers
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