FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lynx halt Vancouver's unbeaten streak at six

Date: Saturday, August 7, 2004

Venue: Centennial Park Stadium, Toronto, Ontario

Attendance: 2,358

Kick off Time: 7:30 PM EST

Final Score: Toronto 2, Vancouver 0

Match Summary:

The Toronto Lynx played one of their best matches of the season in defeating the A-League Western Conference leading Vancouver Whitecaps, 2-0 this evening before 2,358 fans at Centennial Park Stadium on East Meets West Night. The match was preceded by a dynamic performance from Sunny Tang Kung Fu and Edmond Tse from Lynx media sponsor, Fairchild Television was on hand to perform the ceremonial kick off. A fantastic Lion Dance courtesy of Unishow Productions also added to the Asian theme of the night.

Both teams took advantage of the cool temperature to play a spirited first half that saw five solid scoring chances in the first 15 minutes alone. The Lynx, who were on a two game losing streak, took advantage of one of their best chances to open the scoring in the 28th minute. Darren Baxter's shot from inside the penalty area off a feed from midfielder Jamie Dodds blew past Whitecaps goalkeeper Mike Franks to give the Lynx an early lead . The goal was Baxter's third of the season.

The teams started the second half slowly, but resumed the play that highlighted much of the first half. Lynx striker Ali Gerba had three consecutive scoring chances around the 60th minute to pad the Lynx's lead, but couldn't find the back of the net. His best opportunity came in the 65th minute when he took a pass from John Barry Nusum and went in on a breakaway before his shot was denied by the right foot of Franks.

Toronto's continued strong play in the second half was finally rewarded in the 84th minute when substitute striker Charles Gbeke increased the Lynx' lead to 2-0. Gbeke and Gerba closed in on a two-on-one with Gerba stopping in the penalty area. Gerba made a few moves to avoid the defender and found Gbeke behind the defense, who bounced it in for the insurance marker.

Vancouver failed to mount any major scoring threats in the second half as the Lynx defense held firm. Even Whitecaps star substitutes Jason Jordan and Alfredo Valente couldn't help the Whitecaps mount any significant offense.

Toronto's victory exacts revenge on Vancouver for a 3-1 loss in Burnaby, B.C. on June 25th and improves their record to 8-12-1. The loss drops the Whitecaps to 12-6-3 and evens the all-time series between two teams stands at 3-3-1. Toronto's next and final game of the current homestand is on Friday, August 13 when they plays Syracuse Salty Dogs at Centennial Park Stadium for their annual Mascot Night. Kickoff is 8 p.m. EST.

Highlights:

1st Half

2nd min: Griffith's shot off a crossing pass from Xausa on the right flank is saved by Hancock.

3rd min: Nusum's shot from 15 yards out sails over the net.

6th min: Xausa's shot off a free kick is saved by Hancock just inside Hancock's right post.

10th min: Arango's shot off a crossing pass from Edmilson goes wide left of the Vancouver goal.

13th min: Xausa's shot from 20 yards sails wide left of the goal.

21st min: Corazzin's header from the edge of the goal crease is tipped over the net by a diving Hancock.

28th min: Baxter's shot inside the penalty area off a feed from Dodds blows past Franks just inside the right post. TOR 1, VAN 0

33rd min: Griffith's left-footed volley sails over the net.

2nd Half

60th min: Nusum's header off a corner from Baxter flies over the goal.

61st min: Gerba's running shot from 20 yards out is saved by Franks.

63rd min: Gerba's header off a cross from Nusum in the right corner sails over the crossbar.

65th min: Franks kicksaves Gerba's breakaway shot just outside the goal crease.

84th min.: Gbeke's shot off a crafty pass from Gerba eludes Franks.
TOR 2, VAN 0

Final Score: Toronto 2, Vancouver 0

LINEUPS

Vancouver: GK M. Franks, D Dasovic, D Dauda (Jordan, 73rd min.), D C. Franks, MF Clarke, MF Heald, MF Kindel, MF Morris, F Xausa, F Griffiths (Valente 45th min.), F Corazzin

Toronto: GK Hancock, D Mattacchione, D O'Conner, D Arango, D Bartolomeu (Gbeke 75th min.), MF Dodds, MF Hughes, MF Edmilson (Mayard, 44th min.), MF Vinicius (DiPlacido 35th min.), MF Baxter, F Nusum, F Gerba

Cautions: Van: Heald (35th min); Tor: Baxter (52nd minute)

Ejections: None

Shots: Van: 11, Tor: 14

Saves: Van: 4, Tor: 3

Fouls: Van: 11, Tor: 12

Corners: Van: 4, Tor: 6

Offsides: Van: 0, Tor: 1

Scorers: Van: None; Tor: Baxter (28th min.), Gbeke (84th min.)

The Lynx next home game is Friday, August 13 at 8:00 p.m. versus the Syracuse Salty Dogs and will be broadcast live on Fox Sports World Canada.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
DAVID NUTT, MEDIA RELATIONS
416-251-4625 ext. 30