Lynx Welcome Mariners This Sunday
August 23, 2005 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Toronto Lynx News Release
(TORONTO, ON) - The Toronto Lynx are back in action this Sunday, August 28th at 6pm as they welcome the Virginia Beach Mariners to Centennial Park Stadium for Fan Appreciation Night presented by Pro-Line. On the field, the Lynx are coming off a draw against the Puerto Rico Islanders, a match that seemed destined to be the Lynx first win in seven matches. The Lynx took the lead early in the second half on Huffman Eja-Tabe's first professional goal, however, an 88th minute equalizer from Puerto Rico earned them the draw. Nevertheless, an undermanned Lynx roster put on a strong performance and with more clinical finishing could easily have escaped with the 3 points. This Sunday's match is a must win for the Lynx if they hope to move up the USL First Division table as they trail the Mariners by 5 points for 11th place with each team having 5 matches remaining. Lynx Head Coach, Hubert Busby Jr., will get reinforcements for the match as midfielders Jamie Dodds, the team's leader in goals (5), assists (3) and points (13), and Sita-Taty Matondo return from suspensions. Central defender, Nigel Henry, continues to nurse a leg injury and will miss his 6th straight match, while striker, Wyn Belotte will not play due to an ankle injury.
"Virginia Beach is a much improved club with some great results of late," explains Lynx head coach, Busby Jr. "We are looking to get three points from the match and finish the season strong."
After a tremulous first half to the USL First Division season, the Virginia Beach Mariners appear to have righted their ship and are moving in a positive direction. A new ownership group took over the franchise on June 23rd and replaced long-time Head Coach, Shawn MacDonald with Jay Hoffman on July 11th. The former United States Women's National Team Head Coach seems to have sparked the Mariners' roster as they have gone 3-2-1 since Hoffman took over after beginning the season 2-10-5.
The Mariners will bring a familiar face to Centennial Park Stadium on Sunday with former Lynx striker, John Barry Nusum on their roster. Nusum has scored 4 goals in 14 matches for the Mariners this season and is tied for the team lead. He had 4 goals in 22 matches in 2004 in his only season in Toronto before moving on to the Philadelphia Kixx of the Major Indoor Soccer League. In his first indoor season, Nusum earned the MISL Rookie of the Year Award scoring 28 goals and adding 17 assists in 31 games with the Kixx.
The new ownership group has also added Canadian midfielder, Felix Brilliant, to the Mariners roster. Brilliant, from Montreal, QC, began the season with the New England Revolution of MLS before signing with Virginia Beach on July 6th. He had 19 appearances and recorded 1 goal and 2 assists during his time with New England. Brilliant was a 4th Round Selection in the 2004 MLS Super Draft after a standout career at Franklin Pierce College in Rindge, New Hampshire where he earned NCAA Division II All-American Honours.
LYNX/TIM HORTONS SOCCER COACHES CLINIC THIS FALL!
Soccer Coaches will be pleased to know that a second Lynx/Tim Hortons Coaches Clinic will be taking place on Saturday, October 1st at Soccerworld @ The Docks from 9am-12pm. This dynamic and informative soccer workshop/clinic is a unique opportunity for soccer coaches to enhance their coaching skills through the insights of the Toronto Lynx coaching staff, veteran players and medical team. Building on the success of the first clinic in 2004, the Lynx and Tim Hortons have expanded the program to provide two complimentary coaches clinics for this season, the first of which took place on March 26, 2005 when over 150 soccer coaches took advantage of the free offer.
Nicole Hartrell, the Chief Operating Officer, of the Toronto Lynx, is proud of the program, explaining, " Over the years, the Lynx have provided exceptional community outreach programs. There is a great need for good quality coaches for the many young people that are playing the world's beautiful game. We are proud to be making a difference in the soccer community with the help of our biggest partner, Tim Hortons!"
The fall clinic will include sessions on: Putting the FUN in FUNdamentals, On-Field Communication, Scoring with Set Plays, Transition Offense, Maintaining Team Formations and Soccer Specific Strength and Nutrition. Coaches in attendance will also receive a free coaching manual courtesy of Tim Hortons and other sponsor gifts. For more information or to register for the clinic, please contact Mike LeBlanc, Director of Sales and Marketing at 416-251-4625 ext. 23 or lynx@lynxsoccer.com. The deadline for registrations is Friday, September 23, 2005.
The Tim Hortons Soccer Coaches Clinics are a part of a larger partnership between Tim Hortons and the Toronto Lynx Soccer Club that has steadily grown since 1999 and is consistent with the reputation that Tim Hortons continues to demonstrate for supporting local causes. The soccer community is definitely richer for the leadership shown by this very "Canadian" corporate leader.
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USL First Division Stories from August 23, 2005
- Mariners hire Jim Dullea as Vice President of Sales and Marketing - Virginia Beach Mariners
- Week 18 Team of the Week Announced - USL-1
- Lynx Welcome Mariners This Sunday - Toronto Lynx
- Thunder heads to Kansas City to take on familiar faces - Minnesota Thunder
- USL exhibit to be unveiled during National Soccer Hall of Fame Induction Weekend - USL-1
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