Lynx PR: Do or die time for the Lynx
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DO-OR-DIE TIME FOR THE
LYNX
AUGUST 27, 2002 (TORONTO, ON) — Friday night’s game for the
Toronto Lynx will be one of the most important matches for the club in its
six-year history, as it sits on the brink of qualifying for the A-League
playoffs for the third time. Their mission is simple: a win against the Atlanta
Silverbacks will send the Lynx to the post-season for the first time since 2000,
when the team narrowly missed qualifying for the A-League final, losing a
hard-fought series with the Rochester Raging Rhinos in the Eastern Conference
Final. Toronto will also qualify for the playoffs with a Charlotte loss or tie
on Friday night in Rochester, but coach Peter Pinizzotto is only concerned with
going into the playoffs through the front door, saying "We control our own
destiny, and we can’t count on anyone but ourselves to get us into the playoffs.
We are going to go out and try and beat Atlanta and book our own ticket to the
dance."
The Lynx and the Silverbacks will kick-off on Friday, August
30 at 7:30 PM at Centennial Park Stadium in Etobicoke, on Fan Appreciation
Night. This final regular season home game will also serve as a celebration for
the annual Toronto Lynx Player Awards, which will take place at 7:00 to
recognize some of the finest talent on the team in 2002. Lots of giveaways have
been planned for loyal fans who will also be able to bid for 2002 Toronto Lynx
jerseys at the silent auction. Tickets may be purchased through the Lynx Ticket
Hotline at 416-251-4625 x 31 or at the box office at Centennial Park Stadium two
hours prior to kick-off.
RACE FOR FINAL PLAYOFF BERTH
The Lynx
were denied in their quest to clinch a playoff berth this past weekend despite
splitting a home-and-home series with the Rochester Raging Rhinos, who sit in a
first-place tie with the Montreal Impact in the Northeast Division. The
Charlotte Eagles upset the Richmond Kickers on successive nights this weekend to
move within 2 points of the Lynx in the race for the final playoff berth.
Richmond, having already clinched a spot in the playoffs, rested key players
over the weekend in preparation for the postseason. Charlotte must win and hope
for a Toronto loss or tie to qualify for the playoff berth. Toronto holds all
tiebreakers, and would still clinch with a 3-3 tie, should Charlotte win, as the
bonus point which accompanies the three goals would be enough to keep Toronto
ahead.
Atlanta currently sits in third place in the Southeast
Division with 61 points from 26 matches (13-12-1) and has clinched an Eastern
Conference playoff berth. They are led by forwards, Velko Iotov and Brian
Piesner , with 10 and 7 goals respectively. Canadian International defender Carl
Fletcher has seen limited action due to injury this season. The two clubs met on
May 3 in Atlanta, with the Silverbacks prevailing in overtime in a thrilling
match played in a steady rain. Niki Budalic scored twice for the Lynx in the
loss.
Should the Lynx qualify for the post season, the date and
opponent for the first round home match will be announced on Tuesday September
3rd. Conceivably, the Lynx could meet either Rochester, Montreal, Richmond or
Atlanta in the first round. The Lynx would qualify as the sixth seed in the
conference and would play the third seed. The two division champions will be
seeded first and second, and receive a first-round bye in the playoffs. Montreal
currently ranks as the third seed, with two matches left to be
played.
NOTES: The Lynx finished in second place in the inaugural
"Voyageur’s Cup", a trophy awarded by Canadian soccer fans to the Canadian team
with the best aggregate record between the four Canadian clubs in head-to-head
matches this season. The Montreal Impact claimed the title with a 5-1-0 record,
just ahead of the Lynx’ 4-1-1 record.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION,
CONTACT:
ROBERT IRWIN -- DIRECTOR OF TEAM OPERATIONS
416-251-4625,
extension 30
Toronto Lynx Soccer Club
100 The East Mall, Suite
11
Toronto, Ontario
M8Z 5X2
Phone: 416-251-GOAL (4625)
Fax:
416-251-7054
Web Site: www.lynxsoccer.com
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