Lynx, Portland Go Scoreless        

 

 

Date: July 29, 2006

 

Venue: Centennial Park Stadium, Toronto, Ontario                      

 

Attendance: 1089

 

Kick Off Time: 7:30 PM EST

 

Final Score:     Toronto 0      Portland 0  

 

Match Summary:

 

The Toronto Lynx could not capitalize on numerous second half scoring chances and had to settle with a 0-0 draw against the Portland Timbers at Centennial Park Stadium this evening.

 

Toronto entered tonight’s match in the middle of an impressive streak, boasting a record of 3-1-1 in their last five matches before kick-off tonight.

 

Toronto came close to opening scoring 5 minutes into the match.  Kevin Jeffrey hit a low centering pass first time, but put his effort straight at Portland goalkeeper Josh Saunders who managed to control the shot.

 

Portland came close to an opener half an hour later when Luke Kreamalmeyer had a breakaway after a long ball from his back line, but put his shot well wide of Lynx ‘keeper Richard Goddard’s goal.

 

The best chance of the half fell to Toronto two minutes before the break.  Striker Mat Palleschi received a pass with his back to goal, spun a round and sent a hard shot towards the top right corner which Saunders kept out by virtue of an impressive diving save.  It was 0-0 at the half.

 

Palleschi came close again a minute after the restart.  Robbie Aristodemo free kick was redirected by Palleschi towards goal, but his effort was saved by Saunders.

 

Toronto continued to press in the second half and had another excellent chance in the 75th minute.  Mat Palleschi sent in a low cross from the right which Kevin Jeffrey hit first time, but his effort was just over the crossbar.

 

Toronto came close again two minutes before full time.  Second half substitute Edgar Bartolomeu dribbled past two defenders down the right side, found himself in front of goal, but was denied by a last-gasp tackle from a Portland defender.

 

The Lynx could not capitalise on a chance in injury time after a series of well worked passes resulted in a back pass to Neto, but the Brazilian sent his shot from 12 metres out just over the bar.

 

It was 0-0 at the final whistle and the Lynx were left to rue many missed opportunities in front of goal.  Toronto out-shot Portland 17-5 in the match.  In the second half Toronto out-shot the Timbers 12-1.

 

Richard Goddard made one save towards his shutout this evening, while his Portland counterpart Josh Saunders made 6 saves through 90 minutes of play.

 

Tonight’s result improves Toronto’s record to 3-10-4, leaving them in 12th place of the USL First Division with 13 points.

 

Toronto is next in action tomorrow night when they take on the Seattle Sounders for the second half of their weekend doubleheader at 6:00 PM at Centennial Park Stadium.

 

 

Notes:  Edgar Bartolomeu and David Diplacido returned from injury…. Joe Mattacchione and Tony Menezes continued to be sidelined by injuries… Matt Palleschi and Chris Williams returned from trials in Europe.

 

     

                  

 

Final Score:     Toronto 0   Portland 0 

 

Lineups:

 

Toronto: Goddard, Titus, Arango, Medwin (Bedenikovic 60), Williams, Aristodemo, Diplacido (Bartolomeu 70), Jeffrey, Chin (Dekker 73), Palleschi (Anstey 83), Pottinger (Neto 60)

 

Portland: Saunders, Thompson, Nsien, Randolph, Chabala, Kreamalmeyer, Morrison, Poltl (Bullen 81), Iniguez (Wilkinson 57), Readu (Bullen 12), Morale

 

Cautions: None                                                   

 

Ejections: None

 

Shots: Toronto 17, Portland 5  

 

Saves: Toronto 1, Portland 6

 

Fouls: Toronto 15, Portland 13 

 

Scorers:  None

 

 

 

The Toronto Lynx’ next game is at home against the Seattle Sounders on July 30th at 6:00 PM.

 

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

ROB IRWIN, MEDIA RELATIONS

416-251-4625 ext. 23