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by Paul Hendren
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Coming off ten days of rest and facing an opponent hungry for a victory the Toronto Lynx continued their winning ways by shutting out the Carolina Dynamo 2-0 before an announced crowd of 1,634 at Toronto's Varsity Stadium. Toronto has now won six straight improving their impressive record to 6 - 2. Carolina has dropped their last three games. During the first thirty minutes both teams appeared content with implementing a British soccer style of servicing long balls to an undisclosed patch of grass at the other end of the field. At the 41st minute Darren Tilley opened the scoring after heading in a perfect cross from Tom Kouzmanis. Prior to the goal Tilley was at the end of several good crosses but he was unable to beat former D.C United and 1996 USISL goalkeeper of the year Scott Garlick. Carolina attempted to expose Toronto's weakness in the air by trying to service their big men in the Lynx penalty area and their strategy almost paid dividends when Keiran Breslin headed a ball off the fingertips of a well positioned Pat Onstad. Throughout the second half Toronto appeared schooled in the soccer phenomena made famous by the Dutch in the 1970s known as ‘total football'. Every player appeared comfortable in either an attacking or defending role and at the 70th minute Martin Dugas scored on a cheeky flick that left Garlick flat footed. Throughout the game it was not uncommon to see Lynx defenders in an attacking role. After the game Martin Dugas , who was man of the match, attributed the team's success to the way head coach Peter Pinizzotto and Assistant coach David Gee have organized team personnel by placing players in their appropriate positions utilizing their strengths. Dynamo General manager Buckley Andrews was somewhat despondent after the game attributing his team's defeat to their inability to finish off plays. Carolina was without their top sniper Yari Allnut who suffered a separated shoulder in an ill tempered game against arch rivals Richmond. Prior to the game Toronto announced the signings of Ian Carter and Paulo Silva. Carter , with eight national team caps and a wealth of international experience including stints in England , Hong Kong and China, was signed to strengthen the team's weakness in the air. Thirty one year old Paulo Silva (known as Paulino) was brought on board as insurance should Pat Onstad be unable to play. The small statured Silva is famous in local soccer circles for his cat like reflexes and acrobatic style. Toronto returns to action on Sunday when they seek revenge against the Jacksonville Cyclones , a team that convincingly beat them earlier in the season. Carolina travels to Montreal on Sunday to take on the Northeast Division powerhouse Impact. |
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