June 11, 2008 PDL Chicago Fire Premier vs Toronto Lynx (from Lynx media release)
TORONTO LYNX GAME REPORT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESENTED BY CAW - THE CANADIAN AUTO WORKERS UNION
Shorthanded Lynx Earn Draw in Chicago
Play Fire to 0-0 tie with 10 men
Date: June 11, 2008
Venue: Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL
Kick Off Time: 7:00 PM EDT
Final Score: Toronto 0 (0) Chicago 0 (0)
Match Summary:
The Toronto Lynx earned a scoreless draw this evening on the road against the powerful Chicago Fire despite playing the bulk of the second half with 10 men after forward Anthony Bahadur was red-carded in the 55th minute. The draw raises the Lynx’ record to a sparkling 4-1-1 (13 points) on the season and solidifies the club’s grasp on second place in the Great Lakes Division, three points clear of the Cleveland Internationals. Chicago raises their own record to 5-1-1 (16 points) on the year, even with the expansion Kalamazoo Outrage atop the Midwest Division, with one game in hand. Nils Binstock earned the clean sheet for the Lynx, the second of his young career.
The game was a tight defensive battle, with both teams struggling to generate offensive chances throughout. Both clubs were solid throughout the midfield and in the back, and offensive attacks were snuffed before serious chances developed.
Bahadur was ejected in the 55th minute after a hard, over-the-top challenge on a Fire ball carrier directly in front of the Lynx bench. Toronto responded to the challenge, and showed considerable grit and moxie in withstanding the loss of the young forward against one of the PDL’s toughest franchises. Bahadur will be forced sit out Friday’s match in Indiana as a result of the red card.
Toronto rallied in the closing moments of the match in a valiant attempt to pull the upset, generating two outstanding chances in the final five minutes. Jean Tshimpaka headed a Chris DeAbreu corner kick directly in front of the Fire goal in the 85th minute, but his shot sailed precariously past the far post and Toronto was denied. Four minutes later DeAbreu took his own stab at glory, sending a left-footed volley of a Josh Stephens cross just centimetres over the crossbar, sending a scare into the hosts, but unable to put Toronto ahead. The final whistle blew moments after the close call, and the game ended at nil-all, the third draw in four career meetings between the two clubs.
Toronto now travels to South Bend, Indiana for a Friday night encounter against the Invaders before returning home on Sunday afternoon, June 15, to host the West Virginia Chaos at 4:00 PM at Centennial Park Stadium. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Lynx ticket hotline at 416-251-4625 x 31 or at the Centennial Park Stadium box office one hour prior to kick-off.
Final Score: Toronto 0 (0) Chicago 0 (0)
Scorers:
Toronto: none
Chicago: none
The Lynx’ next game is away to the Indiana Invaders on June 13 at 7:30 PM
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
ROB IRWIN, MEDIA RELATIONS
.
.