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.

-30-

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

back to Lynx menu

.

.