FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TORONTO LYNX GAME REPORT

presented by Heineken

Lynx Fall to Defending A-League Champs

Battery Get a Charge from Valencia

Date:                Wednesday, July 8, 2004    

Venue:             Centennial Park Stadium, Etobicoke, Ont       

Attendance:      2,461    

Kick off Time:    7:30 PM

Final Score:      Charleston  2    Toronto   0    

Match Summary: 

The Toronto Lynx returned to the friendly confines of Centennial Park Stadium after a grueling road trip to face the defending A-League Champions from Charleston. The Lynx hosted Taste of Athens Night celebrating the Olympic year and the unique talents of the Ontario Special Olympics in front of 2,461 enthusiastic fans, looking to make a run at the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Battery came in sporting a dismal 2-9-4 record and were in need of a win if they were to have any chance at making the playoffs, something they have done every year in their 7-year A-League history. Toronto started of very sluggish and the Battery took advantage in the 21st minute when striker Gabe Valencia converted a free kick ball off the head of a teammate and into the back of the net for the first goal of the match. Trying to answer immediately, Ali Gerba rifled a shot in the 23rd minute from just outside the box that 'keeper Dusty Hudock handled nicely. The momentum swung back in Charleston's favour in the 32nd minute when Valencia uncorked a left-foot rocket from the left side of the box that beat 'keeper Bryheem Hancock to the far right corner for his 2nd of the match and a 2-nil lead. Lynx fans watched as the Battery nearly tacked on another before the end of the half when Henrick Jensens' shot from point blank range was corralled by Hancock. Toronto opened the 2nd half with more effort but in the 59th minute Joe Mattacchione's right-footer just missed the far right corner. The Battery clamped down and tightened the defense giving the Lynx strikers little room to operate. The Lynx were outshoot 13-7 and with the loss fall to 5-9-1 on the season. Charleston picks up a much-needed 3 points and are now just 3 points behind Toronto in the standings. The Lynx take to the pitch again on Wednesday, July 14th at 12pm to celebrate Youth Day versus the Richmond Kickers.  

Final Score:   Charleston   2       Toronto   0  

Highlights:

1st Half

11th min: Chris Goos with a beautiful header inside the penalty area but it was stopped by Bryheem Hancock

14th min: Andres Arango had a golden opportunity to but the Lynx up but his shot from point-blank was blocked by a defender

21st min: Off a free ball, Gabe Valencia found a sem and punched in his first of the game past Hancock

23rd min: Ali Gerba trying to respond quickly had a chance but his shot was stopped easily by Keeper Dusty Hudock

32nd min: Gabe Valencia racing down the left side uncorked a left-foot rocket that beat Hancock in the far low right corner

46th min: Henrick Jensens trying to add to the Battery lead sent a right-footer that Hancock managed to get a glove on

2nd Half

59th min: Joe Mattacchione unleashed a shot from just outside the penalty box but it just missed the right corner

Lineups:           

Charleston: Hudock, Henry, Watson, Titus, Jerson, Klein, Evans (Jackson 86th min), Valencia, Goos, Conway (Kutney 67th min), Martinez

Toronto:  Hancock, Arango (Munthali 82nd min), Blois (Gbeke 64th min), Mattacchione, Faria, Nusum, Dodds, Hughes, Serioux, Baxter (Messam 86th min), Gerba

Cautions: Char: Watson, Evans    

Ejections: None

Shots:   Char: 13   Tor: 7    

Saves:  Char: 3     Tor:  6   

Fouls:   Char: 10   Tor: 19  

Scorers:  Char: Valencia (21st min), Valencia (32nd min)

The Lynx next home game is Wednesday, July 14h at 12:00 pm versus the Richmond Kickers.

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