Lynx Come Close in Montreal

 

Date: July 24, 2005

 

Venue: Claude Robillard Stadium, Montreal, Quebec

 

Attendance: 12 885

 

Kick Off Time: 4:00 PM EST

 

Final Score: Montreal   2   Toronto   1

 

Match Summary:

 

The Toronto Lynx continued their USL First Division campaign this afternoon, dropping a 2-1 result to the defending champions Montreal Impact in front of 12 885 fans at Claude Robillard Stadium in Montreal.

 

Toronto took the lead 30 minutes in through Joe Mattacchione's free kick that beat Montreal goalkeeper Greg Sutton. Mattacchione's strike was the lone goal of the half, and it was 1-0 to Toronto at halftime.

 

Montreal took a more offensive posture in the second half and snatched an equalizer in the 52nd minute.  Ze Roberto connected with Ali Gerba's pass to make it 1-1 early in the second half.  Montreal continued to press and took the lead in the 72nd minute when Mauro Biello slotted home Ali Gerba's pass to give the home side the lead.  That goal proved to be the winner, and it was 2-1 to Montreal after 90 minutes. Montreal outshot Toronto 15-4 in the second half.

 

Joe Mattacchione picked up his first goal of the season this afternoon, and made his first start since returning from a lengthy injury layoff.  Mauro Biello scored the winning goal again this afternoon, just as in Montreal's 1-0 victory in Toronto two days ago.  Former Lynx striker Ali Gerba picked up two assists this afternoon.  Montreal outshot Toronto 24-9, forcing Lynx 'keeper Theo Zagar into making 9 saves.

 

Lynxsoccer.com spoke with Lynx Head Coach Hubert Busby Jr. after the game.  "It was a tough week for us with four games in eight days.  We didn't execute the way we should have and that resulted in tonight's score." 

 

Today's result drops the Lynx to 12th place in the USL First Division, with a record of 3-10-5.  Montreal remains unbeaten this season with a record of 10-0-5, and move into first place.

 

Toronto's next match is Wednesday July 27th in Seattle against the Sounders.  Kickoff is set for 10:00 PM EST.

 

Notes:  Toronto entered today's match with a record of 3-9-5, while Montreal was 9-0-5.  Toronto had an all-time record of 9-17-4 (3-10-3 in Montreal) against Montreal prior to today's encounter. Toronto and Montreal had already faced each other three times this season, with Montreal winning twice, and one game ending in a draw.  The last match between both clubs ended 1-0 to Montreal two days ago.  

         

 

Final Score: Montreal  2  Toronto  1 

 

Lineups:

 

Toronto:  Zagar, Titus, Henry, Arango, Francois (Fraser 76), Dodds, Mattacchione (Munthali 67), DiPlacido, Matondo (Williams 58), Ali (Belotte 70), Gbeke

 

Montreal:  Sutton, Gervais, Pizzolitto, Braz (Fronimadis 65), Lyssand (Vincello 65), Grande, Roberto, Mert (Fukusawa 70), Ribeiro (Kolic 61), Biello, Gerba (Leduc 75)

 

Cautions: Toronto: Dodds 53

 

Ejections: None

 

Shots: Montreal    24,   Toronto  9

 

Saves: Montreal 5, Toronto  9

 

Fouls: Montreal   12, Toronto  12 

 

Scorers: Toronto: Mattacchione (unassisted) 30  Montreal: Roberto (Gerba) 52, Biello (Gerba) 73

 

The Toronto Lynx' next game is in Seattle against the Sounders on July 27th at 10:00 PM EST.