After a lengthy six game road tour, the
Toronto Lynx returned to a sold out Centennial Stadium for
their first home game of the 2005 campaign hosting the 2004
Champions Montreal Impact. The Lynx' six games on the road
ended in a record of 0-4-2, while Montreal entered this
evenings match undefeated (2-0-2) through 4 games. Toronto
Lynx Head Coach Hubert Busby Jr. was without Joe
Mattacchione, Shawn Faria, Andres Arango through injury,
while Jamaican international Winston Grifiths was serving a
one match ban. 2004 Lynx MVP and leading goalscorer Ali
Gerba came into tonight's encounter leading the Lynx with
two goals. Former Lynx defender Mauricio Vincello, who
scored two goals against the Lynx last season, was in
tonight's Impact squad. Toronto had an all-time record of
9-17-3 against the Impact heading into tonight's game. The
last match between the two at Centennial ended 2-0 to
Montreal in May of 2004. Much off the first half was rather
uneventful, with not many scoring opportunities and solid
defensive work by both teams. The best chance of the half
fell to Montreal when striker Kevin Wilson had a breakaway
in the 11th minute but could not beat Lynx goalkeeper Theo
Zagar who produced a fine save with his foot. It was 0-0
after 45 minutes. Montreal took the lead early in the
second half when Mauro Biello's powerful shot was punched
away by Zagar straight into the path of Kevin Wilson who
headed into an empty net. The Lynx came close to finding an
equalizer when striker Conrard Smith's shot in the 63rd
minute from a sharp angle skipped along the Montreal
goalmouth. Toronto applied much pressure in the last 15
minutes, but were not able to produce a goal. Lynx' Josue
Mayard was shown yellow in the 88th minute, and again in the
89th, and was ejected from the game for two bookable
offences. It was 1-0 to the visitors after the final
whistle sounded. Montreal remain undefeated with a record
of 3-0-2, while Toronto continue hunting for their first win
of the season. The Lynx are next in action against the
Puerto Rico Islanders on May 28th at Centennial Stadium for
a 7:30 PM EST start.
Highlights:
1st min. Referee Dominic Rosetto begins
play. Toronto, in white and black, attack to the left,
while Montreal, in all blue, attack to the right.
9th min. Montreal earn a free kick. Patrick
Leduc takes it but it is handled by Roberto and the Lynx
regain possession.
10th min. After a scramble in the Montreal
box, Lynx striker Ali Gerba picks up a loose ball and
shoots, but Impact 'keeper Greg sutton is able to collect.
11th min. Montreal's Kevin Wilson has a
breakaway but Lynx goalkeeper Theo Zagar makes a brilliant
save with his foot.
14th min. Torornto's Niels Deker is shown a
yellow card.
20th min. Most of the game is played in the
middle third of the field.
28th min. Impact striker Mauro Biello shoots
straight into the ground and his effort bounces right into
the hands of Zagar.
29th min. Lynx defender Rumba Munthali's
free kick from just past centre sails into the hands of
Montreal 'keeper Greg Sutton.
30th min. Montreal's Kevin Wilson shoots low
and hard, but Zagar is equal to it.
34th min. Lynx striker Ali Gerba is
cautioned by referee Rosetto.
36th min. Montreal's Kevin Wilson is
adjudged to be offside.
38th min. Toronto earn a free kick. Ali
Gerba takes it but his strike goes straight at Sutton
who holds on to the ball.
40th min. Montreal's Patrick Leduc
shoots from outside the area, but his effort sails over the
bar.
48th min. Lynx' striker moves past his
marker and passes to Gerba, who's shot is stopped by Sutton.
50th min. Goal! Montreal take the lead.
Mauro Biello cuts towards goal from the left and shoots.
His shot has too much pace and Zagar must punch it away
towards Wilson who is perefectly placed to head the ball
into an empty net.
57th min. Montreal's Lars Lyssand shoots
from far and watches his effort sail high and wide.
63th min. Toronto comes close to
equalizing. Conrad Smith's shot from a tight angle in close
beats Sutton but skips along the goal line and out of
danger.
67th min. Montreal's Gabrieal Gervais is
shown a yellow by referre Rosetto.
77th min. Toronto earn a free kick. Gerba
takes it but Sutton is not forced into a save as it sails
high and wide.
88th min. Toronto's Mayard is shown a
yellow.
89th min. Mayard is shown a second yellow
and the ensuing red. Toronto are down to 10 men.
Final Score: Toronto 0
Montreal 1
Lineups:
Toronto: Zagar, Munthali, Piette,
Mayard, Titus, Dekker (Some 55), Diplacido, Dodds, Fraser
(Simpson 76), Gerba, Smith
Montreal: Sutton, Gervais, Pizzolito (Cann
36), Lyssand, Vincello, Leduc, Roberto, Mert (Fukasawa 62),
Wilson (Matondo 83), Biello, Sebrango
Cautions: Toronto; Dekker,
Gerba, Mayard (2), Montreal: Gervais
Ejections: Toronto: Mayard
Shots: Toronto 7, Montreal 7
Saves: Toronto 2 , Montreal 4
Fouls: Toronto 22, Montreal 17
Scorers: Montreal: Wilson (50)
The Toronto Lynx next game is at
home versus the Puerto Rico Islanders on May 28 at 7:30 PM
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
DAVID NUTT, MEDIA RELATIONS
416-251-4625 ext. 30