Kickers Shut Out Lynx
August 21, 2004 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Toronto Lynx News Release
Celebrating their annual Multicultural Night at Centennial Park Stadium, the Toronto Lynx set their sights on the playoff-bound Richmond Kickers. 1,828 enthusiastic fans were treated to the sultry sounds of Coro Folkloristico Italia di Toronto prior to game time and the enticing Grupo Chile during the halftime. The Kickers entered tonight's match trailing the Montreal Impact by 2 points for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. On the flip side the Lynx are looking to play the spoiler and are coming off an emotional overtime victory over Virginia Beach. Both teams opened the half with crisp passing and stifling defense. Toronto's best opportunity of the half came in the 14th minute when star striker Ali Gerba hammered a ball from the inside the box that rang off the right post. Richmond returned the favour minutes later when Chris Fox slid a pass to Clyde Simms streaking down the right side of the box but his right footer just missed the left post, scoreless after the first 45 minutes.
The second half saw the Kickers start to assert themselves offensively with striker Kevin Jeffrey spearheading the charge. In the 55th minute Jeffrey sent a cross that was first headed by Matt Bobo and then off the head of McColm Cephas before going wide of the goal. In the 62nd minute Jeffrey rifled a free kick from the top of the box just over the crossbar. His hard work was rewarded minutes later when he faked a shot and delivered a perfect ball to a wide open McColm Cephas for the easy tap in, 1-nil Richmond. The Lynx had an opportunity to tie the match in the 78th minute when Charles Gbeke sent a lovely ball between two defenders and onto the foot of David DiPlacido but he couldn't find the mark against Ronnie Pascale. The Kickers went into a defensive shell for the remainder of the match getting another chance to increase their lead when Jeffrey displayed excellent ball control before his shot was stopped by a diving Bryheem Hancock, making the final 1-nil for the Kickers. With the victory Richmond improves to 16-8-3 and pulls one point clear of Montreal atop the Eastern Conference. The Lynx fall to 9-15-1 on the season and are in action again Thursday, August 26 at 7:30pm against the Edmonton FC on Fan Appreciation Night and the final home game of the 2004 season. The match will also feature the Lynx annual player awards and game-worn jersey silent auction.
USL First Division Stories from August 21, 2004
- Kickers Shut Out Lynx - Toronto Lynx
- Biello set to establish record Sunday in Sherbrooke - Montreal Impact
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
