team picture of the Lynx and Lady Lynx in attendance at Media Day. (photos by Rocket Robin)
team picture of the Lynx and Lady Lynx in attendance at Media Day. (photos by Rocket Robin)
Details of the Tuesday May 9, 2006 Toronto Lynx and Lady Lynx Media Day held at Centennial Park Field B in Etobicoke at 11:00am on this warm sunny short sleeves morning.
The Lynx had their full team with only a few players missing while the Lady Lynx had only about six players while they still wait for some players to return from their schools. It was the media who failed to come through as there wouldn't have been enough for a starting eleven in a promised players vs media kick around. No-one from the 'mainstream' media. A TLN camera crew was there, a webmaster, and magazine publisher, and a few others I didn't recognize. Oh well, more pizza for us and the players.
Lynx head coach Duncan Wilde had missed the Lynx vs Toronto Serbian White Eagles (CPSL) game as he was in Rochester coaching the Boys Under 16 squad to tournament victory in the Rochester in the Rochester Rhinos Empire Cup. The team built on their experience gained at the Dallas Cup. This squad will compete in the USL Super Y League this season.
Wilde had reasons for both the Lynx defeats. The game in Virginia Beach they only had 13 fit players they could use. He felt they played well for portions of the game against Vancouver the next week. The team was also defeated by Toronto Croatia (CPSL) the midweek before. He said the Lynx dominated that game for the first twenty minutes and they the Croatians started a game of 'kick the Brazilians'.
The Lynx have scheduled a game on this field for Wednesday (ie the next day) against the Oakville Blue Devils (CPSL) at 4:30pm. Duncan Wilde was the coach of that team last year and coached them to the playoff championship. This year team captain Phil Ionadi has taken over as head coach.
Wilde says last year he was impressed by the CPSL play of Matthew Palleschi (Vaughan Shooters) and Jeremy Shepherd (Oakville Blue Devils) and they've made the Lynx this year. Last year's back up Lynx goalie Richard Goddard has been invited up for training. Paul Munster (star of London City CPSL in 2004) has had a chance at camp but is gone now.
The USL league as an import rule restriction of having seven import players although only five can dress for each game. This year they have possibly four of those positions locked up by Brazilians (a scheduled press conference for the next day would formally announce the signings of "Andre", "Helinho", and "Clayson". The Brazilians don't speak English so they are looking forward to the Tony Menezes translating. He had just returned late the night before from training in Florida with the Canadian National team and was given the day off. Other import spots locked up are Darren Baxter (England) and the still unannounced USL superstar still overcoming visa restrictions. Wilde says he just telephoned him and asked him if he was interested. That leaves one sport open which may be filled by an Ivory Coast player.
Wilde was the coach of the Lynx back in 2004 and said the team's problem was a shaky defense. This year's question mark is although the defense is tightened up, can the team score goals? He said Rick Titus has the best fitness on the team and played very well in Vancouver. He is a leader to the young guys. Gone from the team are Paul Anthony Perez and Ricardo Manguia who were judged 'not fit'. He tried to get 2005 defender Nigel Henry but he's found a team in Europe. Wyn Belotte has disappeared. It's possible Shawn Faria (injured all of last year) may try out after June.
Over to the Lady Lynx:
The team lost five players with the formation of the new Hamilton Avalanche. This team is run by Valdi Greco (former CSL Hamilton Steelers star) and has Billy McKenna as the head coach and long time CSL and CPSL star goalkeeper Dino Perri as assistant coach. The former Lynx players joining that team are Chiara Greco (his daughter), Canadian National team goalie Stacey Van Boxmeer, Kristen Habenicht, Kristy Devries and Heather MacDougall.
This year's Lady Lynx players are goalies Justine Bernier and Anne Ogeundele (both 2nd year), defenders Robin Rushton (3rd year includes one year with the former USL team Toronto Inferno), two year vet Nicole Mailloux, and rookies Lexi Marton, Sara Scharoun, and Allysha Chapman (not related to Cdn Nat team player and former Inferno player Candace Chapman). Playing defence and midfield will be four year vet Holly Lincoln, two year vet Cathy Marosszeky, and rookie Vonya Beckles. At midfield will be third year Natalie Martineau, and two year vets Amanda Cicchini and Deana Everrett, Ciara Gaizutis and Loredana Riverso. Forwards are listed as three year USL vet Jennifer Williams and returning Kimberly Warner (the league's leading scorer in 2005) and rookies Tina Romagnuolo, Melissa Bigg, Brittany Harrison, and Sylvia Forbes.
New head coach is Danny Stewart who admitted he hasn't coached girls for the last six years but I've watched him coach Durham teams in the CPSL and knew he coached Lynx youth teams last year. He agreed with my statement that coaching women wouldn't make much difference except cutting out the four letter words. Drew Murray is the new technical consultant and Stephanie Rushton is the team manager.
New rule change for 2006 is the USL women's league won't play silver goal overtimes anymore. A tie after 90 minutes will count that way in the standings. That brings it in alignment with the men's league.
When Rick Titus says hello and I can get him to laugh about writing on the Voyageurs board IN NOTHING BUT CAPITAL LETTERS, I know 've become well known just for showing up at these media events and the hundreds of local games I've gone to over the years.
Jennifer Williams and Chris Williams are brother and sister on the Lynx teams this year.
Rocket Robin
robing@eol.ca
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