Mirror-Guardian: Captaincy Coincides with
Success
Team captaincy coincides with soccer success
Toronto
Lynx
Sam Laskaris, Guardian Sports
Jul. 14, 2002
Theo Zagar
isn't taking any credit but there's no denying the fact the Etobicoke-based
Toronto Lynx have started getting better results since he was appointed captain
of the men's professional soccer team.
Zagar, a 27-year-old goaltender,
is in his fifth season with the Lynx, who compete in the pro A-League circuit.
The Lynx struggled early on this season. The club had posted a dismal
1-7-1 record when then captain Marco Reda was whisked away by a pro team in
Norway.
After Reda's departure, Zagar was named captain. The Lynx
haven't lost since and have registered a 3-1-2 mark in the process.
"You
can say it's just a coincidence," Zagar said prior to a recent 3-2 loss versus
the Cincinnati Riverhawks - his only loss since being appointed field leader. "I
was just fortunate to be named the captain and then we started winning."
Zagar believes one of the reasons for his team's recent winning ways is
because it has been playing at home. All six matches in the Lynx undefeated
streak have been at home.
The Toronto club had played its first eight
contests this year on the road.
Etobicoke's Centennial Stadium is the
actual home stadium for the Lynx this season but the club has been forced to
play out its July home schedule at York University as a result of the strike by
Toronto's outside workers.
The workers are back on the job after the
province legislated them back to work Thursday. The Lynx will return to
Centennial Stadium Aug. 18 when they face the Montreal Impact at 6 p.m.
OLD HAT
For Zagar, this isn't the first time he has been the
captain of one of his teams. He had previously captained the University of
Toronto Varsity Blues during his final two collegiate seasons. He had also been
the captain of his high school club, East York Collegiate, for two years.
Zagar, who had been selected as the Lynx MVP during the 2000 season, is
pleased that both players and coaches had a say in the selection of the new team
captain.
"It's a good thing when you've got the players' respect," he
said. "It's quite an honor both (the coaching staff and players) chose
me."
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