August 15, 2006 USL Toronto Lynx news (from Lynx media release)

LYNX GEAR UP FOR CRUCIAL HOME AND AWAY SERIES

Lynx and Rochester renew their rivalry twice this weekend

TUESDAY AUGUST 15, 2006[TORONTO, ON] The Toronto Lynx will face their bitter rivals the Rochester Raging Rhinos twice this weekend in a home-and-away series that is crucial for the club as they push towards a USL First Division playoff berth. The Lynx currently sit in 12th place in the USL-1 table after a 3-0 setback on the road against Minnesota last Thursday. Perennial powerhouse Rochester enters the weekend set sitting in third place in the league table, behind only Canadian clubs Montreal and Vancouver respectively.

The lid-lifter of the series kicks off at 8:05 PM on Friday evening at PAETEC Park in Rochester, the Rhino’s brand-new soccer-only facility which opened earlier this season to rave reviews. The match will be broadcast live across North America on Fox Sports World Canada and Fox Soccer Channel.

The two teams will then renew hostilities on Sunday evening at 6:00 PM in Toronto at Centennial Park Stadium. Sunday’s match marks the club’s annual Emergency Services Night, which sees the team salute the city’s Emergency Service organizations featuring displays and demonstrations from many of the local organizations including the OPP, Toronto Police, the Canadian Red Cross, Toronto EMS and Toronto Public Health and Animal Services.

ARISTODEMO AND DIPLACIDO TO BE HONOURED

Two long-serving Lynx veterans, Robbie Aristodemo and David Diplacido will be honoured prior to the match on August 20 for achieving career milestones of 100 and 200 USL First Division games for the Lynx, respectively. Fans will also be able to take advantage of a great 2-for-1 merchandise special being offered at the Lynx merchandise booth during the game. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Lynx ticket office at 416-251-4625 x 31 or at the gate two hours prior to kick-off.

The Lynx (5-12-4, 19 points) expect to welcome back Canadian Men’s National Team defender Tony Menezes to the line-up after an extended absence due to injury. Recently signed veteran Shawn Faria should also make his season debut over the weekend. Rugged defender Andres Arango will miss the first match of the series on Friday evening due to accumulated red cards throughout the season. Captain Joe Mattacchione remains out of the line-up due to injury, and defender Aaron Steele is questionable with a thigh strain.

LYNX ADVANCE IN OPEN CUP PLAY

The Lynx moved on to the semi-finals of the CSL Open Canada Cup with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Hamilton Serbians of the Ontario Soccer League on Sunday evening at Brian Timmis Stadium in Hamilton. Rookie Matt Palleschi netted the winner for the Lynx, who join the Brampton Stallions, London AEK and Ottawa St. Anthony Italia in the penultimate round of the annual tournament. London City of the CSL also qualifies as host and will play in a wild-card match. The semi-final and final rounds are scheduled to take place from September 1-4 in London at Cove Road Stadium. The Lynx will kick off the weekend with an 8:38 PM kick-off versus London AEK in the first semi-final. Saturday sees London City play Ottawa St. Anthony Italia in the wild-card game at 7:30 PM, with the winner meeting the Brampton Stallions on Sunday evening at 7:30 PM in semi-final #2. The two winners of the semi-finals will then face off on Monday, September 4 at 4:00 PM in the Open Canada Cup Championship final.

VISIT THE LYNX AT THE CNE SPORTS ZONE

The Lynx will once again be at the Canadian National Exhibition as part of the Sports Zone at the Better Living Centre. Soccer fans will be able to meet and greet with Lynx players on Monday August 21 and Monday August 28, in addition to taking part in soccer skills and contests and prize giveaways.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
ROB IRWIN, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, TORONTO LYNX SOCCER CLUB
416-251-4625 ext. 23

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