Thursday, December 15, 2005 (TORONTO, ON) - The United Soccer Leagues First Division representing the highest level of men's professional soccer in Canada has announced the 2006 schedule which will once again feature 14 away games and 14 home games showcasing the Toronto Lynx. Toronto Fans will be treated to fine soccer action all summer long in a fun and family friendly setting of Centennial Park Stadium with the Home Opener kicking off on Saturday May 13th providing two games for the price of one! This event will be a real "Soccer fest" which is sure to sell out with a double header featuring the Lady Lynx and the Toronto Lynx when the Lynx will be taking on their perennial rival Rochester.

 

The tenth anniversary of Lynx Soccer Action kicks off on the road once again on Saturday, April 22nd when the Lynx travel to Virginia Beach which is followed quickly with a western fling to Vancouver on Saturday, April 29th. The Lynx were able to avoid an extended period of away games in the early part of the season for 2006 with only 2 away matches before returning for their home opener.  The team will travel west once again a month later when they compete against the defending USL First Division Champions, the Seattle Sounders, on Saturday, May 20th and Portland on Sunday, May 21st.  For fans that like to travel with the team, they will be pleased to know that there will be two games in Montreal on Tuesday, July 12th and Friday, September 8th and 2 away games in Rochester on Friday, July 21st and Friday, August 18th. The Lynx will visit the new kids on the USL First Division block Miami FC on Thursday, June 15th before heading off to face Puerto Rico on Sunday, June 18th and will match up with the Islanders in Toronto on Sunday August 27th for the annual Fiesta Latina Night.

 

The Club will continue to host their biggest supporters, the GTA youth, through their annual School Days for both the Lynx and Lady Lynx. The Lynx School Day Matinee kicking off at 11:00 will be taking place on Friday, May 26th when the Lynx take on the expansion team from Miami.

 

As usual, home games are few and far between during May and June due to high community use of Centennial Park Stadium in the spring. Most home games will fall in July and August which allows the Lynx to host the many youth soccer clubs and youth organizations that are loyal followers. In July, the Lynx and Lady Lynx will host 2 more Youth Day matinees when they host community centres, summer camps and schools. The Lynx Youth Day will be taking place on Wednesday July 5th when they compete with their western rival, the Vancouver Whitecaps, at 12:00 noon. The Lynx will face back-to-back home games on Saturday, July 29th versus Portland and July 30th versus Seattle which is sure to be a challenge.

 

A favourite with Lynx fans is the Mascot Night which this season will take place on Sunday, July 16th when the Lynx compete against the Atlanta Silverbacks.  A Coaches Appreciation Night is being planned on Wednesday, August 23rd versus the Montreal Impact and the Lynx say thanks to the many soccer coaches in our province providing complimentary entry with an outing by their team along with other incentives.

 

This season the home games will run right into September with games on September 3rd during the Labour Day weekend when the Virginia Beach Mariners roll into town for the annual Union and Employee Night. On Sunday, September 10th the Lynx will finish their regular season at home hosting the Minnesota Thunder for their Fan Appreciation Day and Player Awards Ceremonies.

 

Nicole Hartrell, the Chief Operating Officer for the Toronto Lynx is pleased with the layout of the schedule saying, "Our 2006 schedule will allow our team to be very competitive throughout our tenth season.  Gone are the 3 & 4 game road trips which can set the team back physically and mentally from the get-go. We are especially delighted about playing 5 of our last 6 matches at home as the team pushes to make the playoffs!"

 

Special ticket packages are available by calling 416-251-4625 ext. 31 or visit www.lynxsoccer.com.

For full USL First Division Teams schedules visit www.uslsoccer.com.

 

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
MIKE LEBLANC - DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, TORONTO LYNX SOCCER CLUB

416-251-4625 ext. 23