Lynx Renew Canadian Rivalry This Weekend
Courtesy of the Toronto Lynx
26.May.2004
Wednesday, May 26, 2004 (TORONTO, ON) – The Toronto Lynx will renew their competition with their closest Canadian rival, the Montreal Impact, with a home-and-home series this weekend. The Clubs, who split their four meetings in 2003, each winning twice, will meet for the first time this season on Friday, May 28th at Claude-Robillard Stadium in Montreal before returning to Toronto for the rematch at Centennial Park Stadium on Saturday, May 29th with a 6:00pm kickoff. This event celebrates the annual Lynx Girl Power Night, recognizing the growing influence of women in soccer and the world in general. As part of the theme, the Lynx will be honouring the growth of the OWSL with Vice President Winnie Brown taking the celebrity kick off; celebrating female Soccer Stars of the OCAA who will be on hand for a meet & greet; female performing groups and mini soccer scrimmages by female soccer clubs showcasing their soccer talent. The Lynx are coming off a 2-1 victory over the Rochester Raging Rhinos in their home opener, while the Impact has been impressive thus far this season with a 3-0-1 record.
This weekend’s series makes for even greater excitement for Lynx fans since both matches count toward the 2004 Can-Am Cup standings, a tournament that features the Rochester Raging Rhinos, the Syracuse Salty Dogs in addition to Montreal and Toronto. Points are tallied from the home-and-home matches between each team and the two teams accumulating the most points will square off in a one game final on Wednesday, August 18th. The Impact captured the 2003 title beating Rochester in the final. This Saturday’s match will be Montreal’s only visit to Toronto this season and will also count toward the Voyageurs Cup standings. The Voyageurs Cup is presented by Canada’s Soccer Fan Club, the Voyageurs, which crowns our country’s unofficial champion from home-and-home series featuring Canada’s five A-League teams: Toronto, Montreal, the Vancouver Whitecaps, the Calgary Mustangs and expansion Edmonton Aviators.
Lynx fans will see some familiar faces on the Montreal team as former Lynx head coach, Peter Pinizzotto joined the Impact as assistant coach. Lynx 2003 Best Defensive Player, Mauricio Vincello will also suit up for the Impact after an off-season trade that saw the Lynx acquire defender, Andres Arango. Niki Budalic, a former A-League Rookie of the Year, also joined the Impact after a one-year stint in Sweden with Orebro SK following his outstanding rookie season with the Lynx in 2002.
Lynx head coach, Duncan Wilde, is in high gear for this weekend saying, “The first eight games of the season are critical for us. We have five matches with Montreal and Rochester in that span and it’s very important that we stay in touch with the playoff contenders. This will put us in a good position to chase a playoff spot for the rest of the season.”
VETERAN MIDFIELDER NAME CO-CAPTAIN
With the ongoing uncertainties surrounding the health of Lynx captain, Shawn Faria, veteran Mississauga native, Joe Mattacchione has been named co-captain. With Faria missing the past four games due to injury, Mattacchione has raised his level of play and also taken on a bigger leadership role both on and off the field.
“Training has been very positive this week,” continues Wilde. “We will have a full squad for the weekend, minus Shawn Faria. Edgar Bartolomeu has recovered from his injury and will be ready.”
JUNIOR LYNX WIN WOODBRIDGE SHOWCASE
The Toronto Lynx Junior U17 team won the prestigious Woodbridge Showcase Tournament this weekend. With the top teams in the province in attendance along with 75 University and College coaches from across Canada and the United States, the Junior Lynx proved to be a major force. With group round victories over Kanata, 6-0 and Hearts Azzurri 88’s, 2-0, to go with a hard-fought, 0-0, draw with Mississauga, the Junior Lynx advanced to the semi-finals. Despite a last minute comeback from Hearts Azzuri 87’s, the Junior Lynx held on for a 3-2 victory, earning a spot in the final. The Junior Lynx claimed the title with a very impressive 4-0 victory over a talented Brampton team that had not conceded a goal to that point in the tournament. The Junior Lynx U15, U16 and U17 teams resume their SYL schedule this weekend in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
DAVID NUTT -- MEDIA RELATIONS, TORONTO LYNX
416-251-4625, extension 30
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