Lynx fall to defending A-League Champs
July 8, 2004 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Toronto Lynx News Release
The Toronto Lynx returned to the friendly confines of Centennial Park Stadium after a grueling road trip to face the defending A-League Champions from Charleston. The Lynx hosted Taste of Athens Night celebrating the Olympic year and the unique talents of the Ontario Special Olympics in front of 2,461 enthusiastic fans, looking to make a run at the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Battery came in sporting a dismal 2-9-4 record and were in need of a win if they were to have any chance at making the playoffs, something they have done every year in their 7-year A-League history. Toronto started of very sluggish and the Battery took advantage in the 21st minute when striker Gabe Valencia converted a free kick ball off the head of a teammate and into the back of the net for the first goal of the match. Trying to answer immediately, Ali Gerba rifled a shot in the 23rd minute from just outside the box that 'keeper Dusty Hudock handled nicely. The momentum swung back in Charleston's favour in the 32nd minute when Valencia uncorked a left-foot rocket from the left side of the box that beat 'keeper Bryheem Hancock to the far right corner for his 2nd of the match and a 2-nil lead. Lynx fans watched as the Battery nearly tacked on another before the end of the half when Henrick Jensens' shot from point blank range was corralled by Hancock. Toronto opened the 2nd half with more effort but in the 59th minute Joe Mattacchione's right-footer just missed the far right corner.
The Battery clamped down and tightened the defense giving the Lynx strikers little room to operate. The Lynx were outshoot 13-7 and with the loss fall to 5-9-1 on the season. Charleston picks up a much-needed 3 points and are now just 3 points behind Toronto in the standings. The Lynx take to the pitch again on Wednesday, July 14th at 12pm to celebrate Youth Day versus the Richmond Kickers.
USL First Division Stories from July 8, 2004
- Lynx fall to defending A-League Champs - Toronto Lynx
- Impact beat Rhinos 1-0 in front of 9,078 fans - Montreal Impact
- Timbers add Scot Thompson of MLS - Portland Timbers
- A Rivalry 30 Years In The Making - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Aviators defeated in Seattle, 1-0 - Edmonton Aviators
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