USLsoccer: Toronto Unveils Roster

Toronto unveils opening day roster

TORONTO (April 19, 2002) -- The Toronto Lynx unveiled their 2002 roster at their annual season-opening press conference. The club is set to open its season tomorrow night on the road against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

"Our goal this year is to get back to the playoffs", said Toronto head coach Peter Pinizzotto. "Looking at the team we have assembled this year I think we have what it takes to compete. It won’t be easy, especially with our first eight games on the road, but if we can come away from that trip at close to .500 I think you’ll see a return to the playoffs for the Lynx in 2002."

Pinizzotto then announced the 2002 Opening Day roster, which features 17 players, 10 of which grew up in the Greater Toronto Area.

Seven players were added to the club earlier in the week. Of those seven, five are new players and two are returnees from last year’s squad. Forward Irasto Knights, midfielder Nikola Budalic, goalkeeper Pedro Vieria, midfielder/forward Elvis Thomas and midfielder Diego Santillana are the new additions to the squad while All-Star defender Adrian Serioux and midfielder Bobby Randhawa return to the club for the 2002 season.

A veteran of 44 A-League games, Knights, 25, spent last season with the Connecticut Wolves. Knights has scored 33 points on 15 goals and 3 assists with the Wolves, Raleigh Capital Express, and Long Island Rough Riders.

A native of Kitchener, Ontario, Budalic played last season with Glen Shields of the Canadian Professional Soccer League. The former James Madison University star signed an amateur agreement for the 2002 season.

Vieria played last season with the 777 Soccer Club of the Toronto Soccer Association, where he received the TSA’s Best Goalkeeper Award. The 25-year-old will serve as the primary backup to starter Theo Zagar.

Thomas, 29, who hails from Scarborough, Ontario, played with the Lynx during their first two years of existence in 1997 and 1998. He led the Lynx in scoring in 1997 with 17 points on 7 goals and 3 assists. Last season, Thomas played for the Toronto Olympians of the CPSL, where he was the club’s leading scorer.

Originally from Peru, Santillana, played midfield last year in his home country for FBC Melgar. The twenty-year old has international experience playing for the Under-15, 17 and 20 Peruvian National Teams.

Serioux, 23, returns for his fourth season with the Lynx. The Scarborough native’s best season came in 2000 when he was named the 2000 Lynx Best Defensive Player and was also named to the 2000 A-League Second All-Star Team.

Bobby Randhawa’s option was picked up for the 2002 season. Randhawa, 23, appeared in 10 matches for the Lynx last season.

The Lynx depart for Pittsburgh later today. Kickoff tomorrow is scheduled for 7:35 p.m.

2002 TORONTO LYNX OPENING DAY ROSTER

Goalkeepers: Pedro Vieira, Theo Zagar

Defenders: Marco Reda (Captain), Mauricio Vincello, Joe Mattacchione, Milan Kojic, Adrian Serioux

Midfielders: Shawn Faria, Nikola Budalic, Brian Ashton, David Diplacido, Robbie Aristodemo, Nikola Vignjevic, Diego Santillana, Bobby Randhawa

Forwards: Irasto Knights, Elvis Thomas

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