Lynx Fall to Portland

 

Date: June 4, 2005

 

Venue: Centennial Park Stadium, Toronto, Ontario

 

Attendance: 2 724

 

Kick Off Time: 7:30 EST

 

Final Score: Toronto  0 , Portland  1 

 

Match Summary:

 

Toronto continued their 2005 USL First Division Campaign this evening, hosting the Portland Timbers for a special Father and Son Night at Centennial Park Stadium.  The Lynx were encouraged by their 0-0 draw away from home last night to defending champions Montreal.  In that game, Lynx 'keeper Richard Goddard made 10 saves on his way to an impressive shutout.  Recent Lynx signings Edgar Bartolomeu, Robbie Aristodemo and Nigel Henry were in tonight's starting 11.  Sita-Taty Matondo, who left Tuesday's match on a stretcher, started tonight's game on the sidelines.  Jamie Dodds, who was named to the USL First Division Team of the Week last week, was also in tonight's starting 11.  Both teams faced one another earlier in the season.  That match ended 3-0 in favour of Portland in April.  Portland came into tonight's match with an impressive record of 3-0-3, while  Toronto continued to search for their first win of the season after recording a record of 0-6-4. The only goal of the game came from the penalty spot.  Portland were awarded a penalty in the 14th minute.  Daniel Antoniuk took it and put his shot just past Lynx 'keeper Goddard who missed the ball by just a few centimeters.  Goddard played well, finishing the game with 4 saves, as did his counterpart Josh Saunders who held on for a shutout.  Jamie Dodds was impressive from set pieces again, sending in many lurking free kicks and corners.  Tonight's result leaves Toronto in 12th position in the USL First Division. Toronto will continue to search for their first win of the season on the road on June 10th when they face the Rhinos in Rochester.      

 

Highlights:

 

1st min.  Referee Pierre Cantave begins play.  Toronto, in yellow and black, attack to the left.  Portland, in all green, attack to the right.

 

14th min.  Goal! Penalty to Portland.  Abraham is called for a play within the area.  Daniel Antoniuk puts it past Goddard and into the bottom left to the goal.

 

18th min.  Simpson's effort from 20 yards out is just wide to the right.

 

23rd min.  Toronto earn a corner.  Dodds takes it, but Rick Titus' effort is over the bar.

 

38th min.  Jamie Dodds' effort from 25 yards out is right at Saunders, who collects.

 

40th min.  After drawing Saunders out of his goal, Dave Simpson crosses to Fraser who's header has no power and falls harmlessly in front of the goal.

 

42nd min.  Toronto earn a free kick 25 yards out.  Dodds, who has been lethal from this range, takes it.  His shot goes off the top of the wall and out.

 

51st min.  Toronto's Fraser makes an impressive run down the middle of the field.  His shot is high and wide of the mark.

 

55th min.  Portland are awarded a free kick just outside of the area.  Conway takes it, but Goddard is equal to his effort, punching the ball away.  Antoniuk picks up the rebound but puts it over the bar.

 

57th min.  After being introduced, Sita-Tatay Matondo shoots form 20 yards, only to see his effort collected by Saunders.

 

68th min.  Portland's Scott Benedetti shoots from 25 yards out, but his effort is right at Goddard who collects.

 

72nd min.  Portland earn another free kick.  Edwin Miranda takes it.  His shot, full of pace, is straight at Goddard, forcing him to punch it away.

 

82nd min.  Toronto earn a corner.  Dodds sends in an outswinging pass.  Rick Titus rises and connects, but his header is right at Saunders who holds on to the shot.

 

89th min.  Portland come close to making it 2-0.  Byron Alvarez shoots from 20 yards out.  Goddard stretches and forces the ball wide.

 

90th min.  Eja-Tabe comes close to equalizing.  His shot from just inside the area is full of pace, but Saunders is equal to it.

 

90th min.  Eja-Tabe is dangerous once again.  He turns with the ball, eluding his marker, and runs at Saunders who forces the ball from him.   

  

 

Final Score: Toronto  0 , Portland  1

 

Lineups:

 

Toronto: Goddard, Francois (Eja-Tabe 67), Henry, Piette, Bartolomeu, Titus, Aristodemo, Munthali, Dodds, Simpson (Matondo 55), Fraser

 

Portland:  Saunders, Thompson, Wilkinson, Morrison, Miranda, Winters, Poltl, Benedetti, Lines, Conway (Alvarez 67), Antoniuk (Afash 84)

 

Cautions: Toronto:  Munthali 55 

 

Ejections: None

 

Shots: Toronto 8 , Portland  8

 

Saves: Toronto  4,   Portland 4 

 

Fouls: Toronto  21 , Portland  13

 

Scorers: Portland: Antoniuk 14 (PK)

 

The Toronto Lynx next game is in Rochester on June 10, at 7:30 PM.

 

 FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

DAVID NUTT, MEDIA RELATIONS

416-251-4625 ext. 30