Eighth Season a Real Roller Coaster
Published on August 31, 2004 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Toronto Lynx News Release
(TORONTO, ON) - With a new head coach and an overhauled roster, the Toronto Lynx battled through a roller coaster 2004 A-League season. The Lynx concluded their eighth season with a 10-16-2 record, placing them 7th in the Eastern Conference. Under head coach, Duncan Wilde, the team adopted a more wide open, entertaining style of play that saw an improvement in their offense. The major contributor to the offense was star Canadian striker, Ali Gerba, who set new Lynx single season records with 15 goals and 34 points, finishing fourth in the A-League. Gerba became the club's first ever A-League Top 10 scorer and earned 3 A-League Team of the Week Selections as well as being selected the 2004 Toronto Lynx Most Valuable Player.
Lynx veteran, Adrian Serioux, also enjoyed a breakout year after his move from defense into the midfield. His outstanding play earned him an invitation to the Canadian National Team developmental camp in July where he caught the eye of Millwall F.C. in a friendly match and earned a 2-year contract with the English 1st Division Club. After a Millwall debut that awarded him "Man of the Match" honours, Serioux also made his first appearance for the Canadian Men's National Team in a World Cup Qualifying loss to Guatemala in late August.
The next generation of Canadian stars such as Tyler Hughes, Jamie Dodds and Andres Arango all made significant contributions this season establishing solid foundations for future success. The departure of goalkeeper Theo Zagar to the Rochester Raging Rhinos during the off-season left a void which was filled by former Atlanta Silverbacks' 'keeper, Bryheem Hancock, whose athleticism and experience kept the Lynx in many games over the course of the season and earned him the 2004 Best Defensive Player Award.
English midfielder, Darren Baxter, was also outstanding in his first year in the A-League earning the 2004 Best Offensive Player Award as well as two A-League Team of the Week selections. With the off-season departure of many of the Lynx veterans, midfielder, Shawn Faria stepped into a leadership role as the new club captain. Unfortunately for the Lynx, Faria missed much of the first half of the season due to injury but became a dominating defensive midfielder once he returned to playing form. His tenacity and determination on the field were not lost on Lynx fans as they voted him the winner of the 2004 Fan Favourite Award.
Off the field the Lynx total attendance was 34,217 averaging 2444 fans at the home matches. Once again, the Lynx School Day was a resounding success with 4,950 students/educators witnessing the highest level of pro soccer in Canada as part of the Lynx school program which included hundreds of school clinics and educational presentations to GTA schools. This season, the Lynx partnered with OFSAA to showcase the Girls Soccer Championships as a double header on the School Day. The Lynx' popularity with youth was once again underscored by the enthusiastic attendance of 3,660 youngsters from various youth organizations at their annual Youth Day in July. The total 864,966 fans passed through the turnstyles during the regular playing season, excluding playoffs,in the A-League showing a growth of 16.2%.
Financially, the Lynx continued their steady progress through the support of fine corporate sponsors such as Tim Hortons, Pizza Pizza, Oakville Nissan, the Canadian Auto Workers and the Ontario Lottery Corporation. Answering to the big demand for more training for the growing number of soccer coaches, Tim Hortons partnered with Toronto Lynx Coaching staff to provide a very successful and complimentary soccer coaches camp in the early spring which is certain to be repeated in the new year.
Although season ticket sales were flat in 2004, the Lynx continued to grow their ticket revenue through increased group sales from various community groups such as Soccer Clubs, Big Brothers, Ontario Special Olympics etc. Many groups enjoyed taking part in the off the field activities and fan interactives that included hundreds of young soccer players taking part in the human tunnel formation to receive the starting line up; mini soccer matches at half time; great musical performances by such community groups as the Caribbean Dance Theatre, Coro Folcloristico Italia di Toronto and Grupo Chile. The athleticism of the Lynx Flygirls and the frivolities of the Official Toronto Lynx Fan Club fired up the fans at the stadium with their terrific spirit.
The Lynx event team was kept busy at many community events where many soccer fans took part in entertaining soccer skills activities, Lynx Player "greet & meet", dance team and mascot appearances at events such as the Etobicoke Ribfest, the CHIN Picnic, the CNE and the Toronto Street Festival. Toronto native, Rumba Munthali, earned the 2004 Public Relations Award for his tireless dedication in promoting the Lynx at various community events across the GTA.
Parents and young soccer players responded in a big way to the Toronto Lynx Premier Soccer Academy which kicked off in the fall of 2003 under the directorship of Duncan Wilde and his strong team of soccer professionals at the Oakville Sports Dome and the Downsview Hangar. Providing programs for both boys and girls of all ages and skills, the Academy also delivers elite training providing a foundation for the Toronto Lynx Junior teams which play in the Super Y League. The Toronto Lynx Junior teams performed exceptionally well in the SYL this season, underscoring the growing soccer talent in Southern Ontario and the quality programs delivered by Wilde and the Academy. The U17 and U19 Toronto Lynx Juniors are the big success story this season with the U19 having gone all the way to the semi-finals and the U17 continue to make headlines in grassroots soccer and are set to go all the way as they compete in the finals in Florida later this fall.
Delivered every summer entirely by the Toronto Lynx players and coaching staff, the Soccer Fantasy Camps were totally sold out this season compelling the club to extend the sessions to accommodate the increased numbers. Parents and coaches are already booking their teams for next season to ensure that their young players are mentored and inspired by the top players in the country.
The Toronto Lynx management and staff wishes to thank all the Lynx players, coaching staff, partners, sponsors and fans for their support this season. The preparations for our ninth season have already begun. Plan on being a part of our Lynx family! Just for kicks!
USL First Division Stories from August 31, 2004
- Timbers take on Sounders in playoff showdown at PGE Park - Portland Timbers
- USL announces week 20 honors - USL-1
- Kickers To Face Syracuse In Eastern Conference Semi-Final - Richmond Kickers
- Mariner Forward Dante Washington Wins A-League Scoring Championship - Virginia Beach Mariners
- Eighth Season a Real Roller Coaster - Toronto Lynx
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