Lynx halt Vancouver's unbeaten streak at six
August 7, 2004 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Toronto Lynx News Release
The Toronto Lynx played one of their best matches of the season in defeating the A-League Western Conference leading Vancouver Whitecaps, 2-0 this evening before 2,358 fans at Centennial Park Stadium on East Meets West Night. The match was preceded by a dynamic performance from Sunny Tang Kung Fu and Edmond Tse from Lynx media sponsor, Fairchild Television was on hand to perform the ceremonial kick off. A fantastic Lion Dance courtesy of Unishow Productions also added to the Asian theme of the night.
Both teams took advantage of the cool temperature to play a spirited first half that saw five solid scoring chances in the first 15 minutes alone. The Lynx, who were on a two game losing streak, took advantage of one of their best chances to open the scoring in the 28th minute. Darren Baxter's shot from inside the penalty area off a feed from midfielder Jamie Dodds blew past Whitecaps goalkeeper Mike Franks to give the Lynx an early lead . The goal was Baxter's third of the season.
The teams started the second half slowly, but resumed the play that highlighted much of the first half. Lynx striker Ali Gerba had three consecutive scoring chances around the 60th minute to pad the Lynx's lead, but couldn't find the back of the net. His best opportunity came in the 65th minute when he took a pass from John Barry Nusum and went in on a breakaway before his shot was denied by the right foot of Franks.
Toronto's continued strong play in the second half was finally rewarded in the 84th minute when substitute striker Charles Gbeke increased the Lynx' lead to 2-0. Gbeke and Gerba closed in on a two-on-one with Gerba stopping in the penalty area. Gerba made a few moves to avoid the defender and found Gbeke behind the defense, who bounced it in for the insurance marker.
Vancouver failed to mount any major scoring threats in the second half as the Lynx defense held firm. Even Whitecaps star substitutes Jason Jordan and Alfredo Valente couldn't help the Whitecaps mount any significant offense.
Toronto's victory exacts revenge on Vancouver for a 3-1 loss in Burnaby, B.C. on June 25th and improves their record to 8-12-1. The loss drops the Whitecaps to 12-6-3 and evens the all-time series between two teams stands at 3-3-1. Toronto's next and final game of the current homestand is on Friday, August 13 when they plays Syracuse Salty Dogs at Centennial Park Stadium for their annual Mascot Night. Kickoff is 8 p.m. EST
USL First Division Stories from August 7, 2004
- Lynx halt Vancouver's unbeaten streak at six - Toronto Lynx
- Timbers turn back Edmonton with fourth-straight win - Portland Timbers
- Impact ties Vancouver, 0-0 - Montreal Impact
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