TORONTO LYNX MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LYNX KICK OFF SEASON THIS WEEKEND!
Friday, April 16, 2004 (TORONTO, ON) – Lynx fans who have been waiting patiently for the pro soccer season to begin will finally get their fix this weekend when the Lynx season kicks off tomorrow night with a match versus the expansion Puerto Rico Islanders. The Lynx are entering their eighth season of showcasing and developing pro soccer in Toronto and are poised for a breakout season. New head coach, Duncan Wilde has brought energy and experience to the Club and with the outstanding 2004 roster that he has put in place soccer fans will be regaled with great competitions this summer! The club has been training all week long in Puerto Rico in preparation for the opening match. A huge crowd of 12,000 is expected at the newly renovated Juan Ramon Loubriel stadium. The Lynx begin the season on a 4-game road trip before giving the home fans their first taste of the action on Sunday, May 16th when the Lynx welcome their fiercest rival, the Rochester Raging Rhinos.
BARTOLOMEU BACK WITH LYNX!
With the kickoff to the A-League season just around the corner, the Lynx have added a familiar face to their 2004 roster. Former Lynx midfielder, Edgar Bartolomeu has agreed to return to Toronto for the 2004 season after a successful foray into MLS last season. Bartolomeu signed with the NY/NJ Metrostars midway through the 2003 season and made 13 regular season appearances, including 11 starts. The 27-year old native of Angola is entering his second tour of duty with the Lynx after spending the 1999 and 2000 seasons in Toronto accumulating 351 minutes played in 11 games. “I am very pleased to be able to bring in a former Lynx player with MLS experience,” declares Lynx head coach, Duncan Wilde. “Edgar has looked outstanding in training this week and is a huge addition to the club.” The Toronto resident has received his Canadian citizenship and is a tremendous addition to the Lynx roster with his ability to attack down the flanks and supply Lynx strikers Ali Gerba and John Barry Nusum with quality balls. Bartolomeu joins the Lynx on loan from Philadelphia of the MISL, where he helped the Kixx reach the playoffs before dropping an 8-5 quarter-final result to Kansas City on Saturday. He was also a member of the 2002 USL Pro Select League Champion Long Island Rough Riders.
DIPLACIDO JOINS TEAMMATES IN PUERTO RICO
With the Kixx loss on Saturday, veteran Lynx midfielder David DiPlacido, who had been on loan to Philadelphia for the 2003/04 MISL season, returned to Toronto in time to join the rest of the Lynx players in Puerto Rico. DiPlacido, entering his seventh season in Toronto, is the longest serving Lynx player and enjoyed a breakout 2003 season where he earned the Lynx Best Offensive Player Award.
Wilde was thrilled that DiPlacido and Bartolomeu were able to join their teammates on their first road trip. “Adding two players with the experience and ability of David and Edgar is a big boost for the team,” Wilde says. “We now have our full 2004 roster in place and there can be no excuse for not returning to Toronto with the 3-points. At the same time, David and Edgar have missed the majority of training camp and it’s my intention integrate them with rest of the boys. I do plan on using both on Saturday since they are experienced professionals and should have no problem fitting in.”
LYNX OPEN PRACTICE & EXHIBITION GAME COMING UP!
Fast on the heels of their island trip, fans will have their first opportunity to see the 2004 squad in action next weekend when the Toronto Lynx Supporters Club will be hosting a public practice/barbecue social on Saturday, April 24th at the Downsview Park Practice Fields. The Lynx will hold open training and a “Meet and Greet” session from 10am-12pm followed by a scrimmage with the Toronto Futsal Palace All-Stars from 12-1pm which will be rounded off with a fundraising barbecue, weather permitting.
The following day, on Sunday, April 25th, soccer fans will be able to catch the squad once again as the Lynx have committed to an exhibition match against the CPSL Champion, the Brampton Hitmen, at 2pm at Victoria Park in Brampton.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
DAVID NUTT -- MEDIA RELATIONS, TORONTO LYNX
416-251-4625, extension 30
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