Lynx sink Islanders
Published on August 27, 2006 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Toronto Lynx News Release
The Toronto Lynx extended their home undefeated streak to eight games with a 1-0 win over the Puerto Rico Islanders on a wet and humid evening at Centennial Park Stadium in Toronto. The tie raises the Lynx record to 6-12-7 (25 points) on the season, while Puerto Rico falls to 8-10-6 (30 points) and falls further away from 6th place and the final playoff spot in the United Soccer Leagues First Division. The match was the second meeting between the two rivals this season; Puerto Rico won the first encounter 2-1 in Bayamon, PR on June 18. In their three-year history, the Islanders have yet to win in Toronto in five matches.
Toronto dominated the first half, with coach Duncan Wilde's side employing a direct attacking style. From the opening whistle, the Lynx pushed forward, with Damien Pottinger nearly scoring off a header in the first minute. This set the tone for the half, which saw the Lynx outshoot the visitors 12-3. Toronto opened the scoring in the 16th minute on the strength of defender Marko Bedenikovic's first goal of the season, a chip shot from the left flank over helpless 'keeper Dan Kennedy's head. The match was the second in two nights for Puerto Rico, having tied Rochester 1-1 the night before in Rochester, and their fatigue was evident, with the club making two very early substitutions in the first half.
The second half was a more even affair, with the two teams trading scoring chances. The Islanders made more subititutions at half and early in the second, and came out with much more energy, keeping possesion for long stretches early in the half. However, they were mostly limited to chances from long range as the Lynx defence held firm. Toronto responded with a number of chances of their own in the final 15 minutes of the match, with late sub Neto having two great chances but both shots sailed just wide of the Puerto Rico net. As the final whistle sounded, the Lynx had held the lead and prevailed 1-0.
The Lynx' next match is at home on the Labour Day weekend, with the Virginia Beach Mariners paying a visit to Centennial Park Stadium on Sunday, September 3 at 6:00 PM on Union and Employee Night. Tickets are still available for the match and can be purchased by calling the Lynx ticket office at 416-251-4624 x 31 or at the Centennial Park Stadium box office two hours prior to the match.
Notes: The Lynx were missing three regulars due to suspension. Gordon Chin and Jamie Dodds missed the match due to yellow cards accumulated throughout the season, while Shawn Faria sat out the match as the result of a red-card issued on Wednesday evening against Montreal. Dodds will also sit out Sunday's match against Virginia Beach...Puerto Rico's leading scorer is Alen Marcina, from Surrey, BC...Joe Mattacchione returned after missing over a month of action due to a knee injury.
USL First Division Stories from August 27, 2006
- Lynx sink Islanders - Toronto Lynx
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