Lynx
Fall to Defending Champs
Date:
July 22, 2005
Venue:
Centennial Park Stadium, Toronto, Ontario
Attendance: 2 489
Kick Off
Time: 7:30 EST
Final
Score: Toronto 0 Montreal 1
Match
Summary:
The Toronto Lynx
welcomed the defending USL First Division
champion, Montreal Impact to Centennial Park
Stadium tonight for the Lynx' annual Mascot
Night. With the crazy mascots from business
and sports organizations from across the GTA
putting on a fantastic show for the 2,489
fans in attendance, the Lynx put their
4-game unbeaten streak on the line against
the undefeated Impact. Humber Express Barber
Shop Chorus regaled the crowd in the
pre-game ceremonies before tonight's match,
the first of a home-and-home series that
will conclude on Sunday in Montreal.
The first half
started with a chance for Montreal to take
the lead in the 5th minute when Antonia
Ribeiro headed Sandro Grande's corner,
forcing Lynx 'keeper Theo Zagar into a
diving save. Montreal came close again in
the 18th minute when Zagar slipped, leaving
Impact striker Ali Gerba alone in front of
goal. However, the former Lynx star's shot
was cleared off the line by Lynx defender
Rick Titus. The 28th minute featured
another diving stop by Zagar, on Mauro
Biello's shot from just outside the area.
Montreal took
the lead in the 38th minute when Biello ran
onto Sandro Grande's pass and chipped over
an oncoming Zagar.
Toronto came
close to equalizing in the 44th minute when
Sean Fraser redirected Jamie Dodds' cross
into Montreal's box. Joe Matacchione headed
Fraser's pass but Montreal goalkeeper Greg
Sutton was well placed to make the stop. It
was 1-0 to Montreal as the first half
whistle blew.
Toronto's best
chance of an equalizer came five minutes
into the second half, when former Montreal
midfielder, Sita-Taty Matondo sent in a
cross that Jamie Dodds' headed towards
goal. His effort was well taken, but Sutton
was perfectly placed to make the stop.
Montreal came close to adding to their tally
in the 59th minute when AIi Gerba's chip
from 20 yards went just over Zagar's goal.
Toronto had a
final chance to earn a draw in the 77th
minute when Wyn Belotte found space to
shoot, but his effort was stopped by
Sutton. The match ended in scrappy fashion,
with Toronto's Huffman Eja-Tabe receiving
red card in the 89th minute for a late
tackle on Impact midfielder, Ze Roberto.
It was 1-0 to
visiting Montreal after 90 minutes.
Montreal out shot Toronto 14-6, forcing
Zagar into 5 saves. Montreal's Greg Sutton
made 3 stops en route to tonight's
shutout. A total of six yellow cards were
handed out, as well as one straight red.
Mauro Biello's
goal tonight was his 60th in Impact
colours. It was also his 250th game for the
club.
Tonight's result
end's Toronto's (3-9-5) four game unbeaten
run, and keeps Montreal (9-0-5) unbeaten
this season. Toronto's next game is this
Sunday, July 24th, when Montreal play hosts
for a 4:00 PM kickoff.
Notes: Toronto
entered tonight's match with a record of
3-8-5, having not lost their last four
games. Montreal was 8-0-5, and the
only undefeated side in the USL First
Division. Toronto had an all-time record of
9-16-4 against Montreal coming into
tonight's match. Both clubs had faced one
another twice this season. Toronto lost at
home 1-0 to Montreal in May, and played to a
scoreless tie in Montreal in June.
Highlights:
5th min. Ribeiro
heads Sandro Grande's corner, forcing Zagar
to make an acrobatic stop.
6th min.
Charles Gbeke's volley from close range
is punched away by Sutton.
16th min.
Sandro Grande's free kick from the left side
is straight at Zagar who holds onto the
ball.
18th min. After
a slip by Zagar, Ali Gerba finds
himself alone with the ball in front of an
empty goal. His shot is cleared of the line
by Rick Titus.
28th min. Mauro
Biello's shot from just outside the area
forces Zagar into a diving save.
36th min. Ali
Gerba is brought down by Andres Arango.
Arango receives a yellow, and Grande takes
the ensuing free kick, but sends his shot
wide.
38th min.
Goal! Mauro Biello runs onto Grande's pass
and chips the ball over Zagar from 20 yards
out.
44th min.
Toronto come close. Dodds sends in a cross
that Fraser redirects into the box and
Mattacchione heads at Sutton who makes the
stop.
50th min.
Matondo's cross is headed by Dodds towards
goal, but Sutton is is well placed to make
the stop.
59th min. Ali
Gerba attempts to chip over Zagar from 20
yards out, but his effort is just over the
goal.
72nd min. Wyn
Belotte's shot is full of pace, but straight
at Sutton who controls.
73rd min. Ali
Gerba heads Grande's cross, but his effort
is wide.
90th min.
Toronto's Eja-Tabe receives a red card.
Final
Score: Toronto 0 Montreal 1
Lineups:
Toronto: Zagar,
Titus, Henry, Arango, Munthali (Williams
62), Matondo (Eja-Tabe 78), Mattachione,
DiPlacido, Dodds, Fraser, Gbeke
Montreal:
Sutton, Gervais, Broz, Vincello, Lyssand,
Grande, Leduc, Ze Roberto, Ribeiro (Fukasawa
71), Biello, Gerba
Cautions:
Toronto: Matondo 6, Arango 36, Mattachione
55, Munthali 60 Montreal: Roberto 21, Braz
62
Ejections: Toronto Eja-Tabe 89
Shots:
Toronto 6 , Montreal 14
Saves:
Toronto 5, Montreal 3
Fouls:
Toronto 24, Montreal 11
Scorers: Montreal:
Biello (Grande) 38
The
Toronto Lynx' next game is in Montreal
against the Impact on July 24th at 4:00 PM.
Their
next home match is Sunday, July 31st versus
the Richmond Kickers at 6:00pm for our
Coaches Appreciation Night and Direct Kicks
Cleats for Kids Night