May 28, 2005 USL Toronto Lynx vs Puerto Rico Islanders (from Lynx media release)
For Immediate Release
Toronto Lynx Game Report
Presented by Carlsberg
Lynx Earn Tie in Eight Goal Thriller
Date: May 28, 2005
Venue: Centennial Stadium, Toronto, Ontario
Attendance: 1 275
Kick Off Time: 7:30 EST
Final Score: Toronto 4 Puerto Rico 4
Match Summary:
The Toronto Lynx continued their USL First Division campaign this afternoon, hosting the Puerto Rico Islanders. Puerto Rico entered today's encounter with a 2-2-1 record, while Toronto brought a record of 0-5-2 to Centennial Park Stadium. The Lynx had experienced much success against Puerto Rico since their inception in 2004, winning all three of the matches between the two clubs. The last match between both clubs at Centennial ended 3-2 for the Lynx. On that day, Ali Gerba (who just last week was traded to Montreal) scored twice. In fact, Gerba scored five times over two games against the Islanders. In his place, Toronto looked to striker Sita-Taty Matondo and defender Francois Abraham, acquired in exchange for Gerba, who each made their debut in the starting lineup today. Josue Mayard was out of today's Lynx team serving a one match ban after receiving a red card versus Montreal. Head Coach Hugo Maradonna's Puerto Rico team were in the 6th place coming into today's match, while Hubert Busby Jr.'s Lynx were 12th. Puerto Rico's last match ended in victory against Rochester two weeks ago, while Toronto's last match ended in a loss to defending champions Montreal. Toronto started well, but it was Puerto Rico who scored first against the run of play in the 19th minute. Johanes Maliza chipped a ball into the box which Corey Woolfolk nodded past Theo Zagar. Toronto equalized 4 minutes later. Lynx newcomer Sita-Taty Matondo's impressive run down the left flank ended with a smart pass to Conrad Smith who fired past Puerto Rico goalkeeper Dan Kennedy. Puerto Rico retook the lead two minutes later through an impressive scissor-kick from Mauricio Salles off of Alexis Rivera's cross. It was 3-1 to the visitors in the 44th minute when Jamie Dodds brought down a Puerto Rico defender inside the area. Referee Lavergne awarded a penalty and Mauricio Salles made no mistake from the spot. It was 3-1 to Puerto Rico after the first interval. Toronto played well and created many nice plays, but were punished by a few lapses in concentration. It took Toronto ten minutes to make it a one goal margin. Conrad Smith rose to meet Dodds' corner and sent his header past Kennedy. Lynx 'keeper, Theo Zagar did well to stop another Puerto Rico goal in the 65th minute when he stopped Woolfolk's dangerous attempt from in close. Toronto equalized in the 68th minute off a free kick. Jamie Dodds strike from 20 yards out sailed past Kennedy and into the top right of the goal. Toronto, not content with a draw, continued to press, and came close off the feet of Dave Simpson and Sean Fraser. Toronto capped their dramatic comeback by taking the lead in injury time. Dodds was the provider again, sending in a cross that Simpson hit first time past Kennedy. Toronto's euphoria was short lived, as Puerto Rico equalized on the next play. Zagar made a stop off of quick shot, but the rebound fell to substitute Da Silva who hammered the ball into the empty goal. 4-4, as the final whistle sounded, ending an incredible night of will, determination, and skill at Centennial Park Stadium. Toronto's Dave Simpson was in fine form, scoring twice, the first 2 goals of his USL First Division career. Toronto debutant Sita-Taty Matondo was impressive in midfield, but it was Jamie Dodds who was Toronto's greatest provider all evening, scoring once, and assisting on two others. Puerto Rico's Mauricio Salles was most impressive for his side, scoring twice. Toronto earned a point from this evening's draw, but continue to look for their first win of the season. Toronto's next match is this Tuesday, when they take on the Rochester Raging Rhinos at 11:00 AM for a special early match for the Lynx' annual School Day.
Highlights:
1st min. Referee Jonathan Lavergne begins play. Puerto Rico in all blue attacks to the left. Toronto, in yellow and black, attacks to the right.
3rd min. Toronto's Rumba Munthali volley is well over the bar.
10th min. Puerto Rico's Mauricio Salles shoots inside the area but Lynx 'keeper Theo Zagar collects easily.
11th min. Toronto's Jeremie Piette picks up a loose ball on the right flank, runs in a send a low, hard cross. Nobody is there to connect and the ball skips out of danger.
15th min. Toronto earn a free kick just outside the area. Jamie Dodds floats in a cross that bounces around Puerto Rico's area before going out for a corner. The corner produces a goal that is called off for offside.
19th min. Goal! Puerto Rico score against the run of play. Johanes Maliza chips a ball into the Toronto box. Corey Woolfolk header is enough to tuck the ball past Zagar.
23rd min. Goal! Toronto equalizes. After an impressive run by newcomer Sita-Taty Matondo down the left flank, Matondo sends in a pass that Conrad Smith hits first time low and hard past Puerto Rico 'keeper Dan Kennedy.
25th min. Goal! Puerto Rico retake the lead. Alexis Rivera sends in a a cross from close to the corner flag. Mauricio Salles scores via a spectacular scissor-kick from 10 yards out that is no match for Zagar.
35th min. Toronto earn a corner. After a flury of shots by Toronto, the ball is cleared.
39th min. Toronto continue to search for the equalizer. Conrad Smith runs onto Diplacido's through ball and runs past his marker. His hard, low shot is stopped by Kennedy.
41st min. Toronto's Matondo is shown a yellow card.
44th min. Jamie Dodd's brings down a Puerto Rico attacker inside the area, giveing Puerto Rico a penalty and himself a yellow. Mauricio Salles takes it and sends a low, hard shot past Zagar into the bottom left of the goal.
55th min. Goal! Toronto make it a one goal defecit. Jamie Dodds sends in a corner that is met perfectly by Lynx striker Conrad Smith who rises and heads the ball into the back of the net.
65th min. Puerto Rico's Corey Woolfolk elludes his marker and sends in a dangerous shot full of pace which Zagar saves.
68th min. Goal! Toronto equalizes. Toronto earn a free kick 20 yards out. Jamie Dodds hits it perfectly and sends it past Kennedy into the top-right of the goal.
69th min. Puerto Rico come close to regaining the lead. Mauricio Salles' header from in close is a dangerous one. Zagar streches and makes an acrobatic save which keeps the game 3-3.
75th min. Toronto come close to taking the lead for the first time. Dave Simpson muscles away from his marker and has only Kennedy in front of him, but shoots right at the Puerto Rico goalkeeper.
82nd min. Puerto Rico earn a corner. Mauricio Salles hits it first time but his effort is wide of the mark.
88th min. Lynx substitute striker Sean Fraser outruns his marker and has a break on goal. Kennedy runs out to meet him forcing Fraser to shoot early and right into Kennedy's legs.
90th min Goal! Lynx take the lead for the first time. Jamie Dodds sends in a cross from the left flank which sails over two Puerto Rico defenders. Dave Simpson hits it first time past Kennedy.
90th min. Goal! Puerto Rico tie on the first play after the restart. Drew Mcarthy's shot is saved by Zagar, but the rebound is hit home by substitute Juninho Dasilva. 4-4 as the full-time whistle sounds.
Final Score: Toronto 4 Puerto Rico 4
Lineups:
Toronto: Zagar, Titus, Piette (Eja-Tabe 45), Francois, Munthali, Diplacido, Dodds, Matondo, Dekker (Hart 45), Smith (Fraser 77), Simpson
Puerto Rico: Kennedy, Zuleta, Gores, Ortiz (Gonzalez 20), Velez, Rivera, Villeqas (Da Silva), Maliza, Delgado, Woolfolk (McAthy 82), Salles
Cautions: Toronto: Matondo 41, Dodds 43, Eja-Tabe 69 Puerto Rico: Delgado 81
Ejections: None
Shots: Toronto 13 Puerto Rico 15
Saves: Toronto 6 Puerto Rico 4
Fouls: Toronto 11 Puerto Rico 15
Scorers: Toronto: Smith (Matondo) 23, Simpson (Dodds), 55, Dodds (unassisted) 68, Simpson (Dodds) 90 Puerto Rico: Wollfolk (Maliza) 19, Salles (Rivera) 25, Salles (PK) 44, Da Silva 90
The Toronto Lynx next game is at home against the Rochester Raging Rhinos on May 31, 2005.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
DAVID NUTT, MEDIA RELATIONS
416-251-4625 ext. 30
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