Lynx Come Close in Puerto Rico       

Date: June 18, 2006

Venue: Juan Ramon Lobriel Stadium, Bayamon, Puerto Rico                   

Attendance: 3102

Kick Off Time: 5:00 PM EST

Final Score:     Toronto 1       Puerto Rico 2  

Match Summary:

Arturo Norambuena’s 74^th minute strike was the difference in a hotly contested 2-1 Toronto Lynx loss at the hands of the Puerto Rico Islanders.

Toronto entered tonight’s match looking for its first win of the season and full of confidence after Thursday’s 2-2 away draw against Miami FC.  In that match, Toronto finally broke its goal scoring problem, which had led to only one goal in Toronto’s first eight matches.

Despite Toronto’s new offensive confidence, it was Puerto Rico that found the back of the net first.  Peter Villegas received Barros-Schelloto’s pass and fired home, giving the home side the lead in the 12^th minute.

Toronto responded in the 38^th minute.  Mat Pales chi's solo effort and first goal in Lynx colours put Toronto back on level terms.  The score line remained 1-1 at the half.

Toronto out shot Puerto Rico 8-4 in the first half of play, forcing Puerto Rico goalkeeper Dan Kennedy to make 4 saves.

Both sides exchanged scoring chances after the restart, but it was Norambuena that finally broke the deadlock.  He received Mauricio Segovia’s pass and fired past Toronto ‘keeper Richard Goddard to reinstate Puerto Rico’s advantage.  It was 2-1 to Puerto Rico at the final whistle.

Puerto Rico goalkeeper Dan Kennedy was highly influential today, making seven saves through 90 minutes of play.

Toronto returns home from its tropical road trip with a tie and a loss.  Toronto has scored three times in its past two matches, which will be encouraging for the team which had been struggling to find its goal scoring rhythm.

Toronto is now 0-8-2 after tonight’s loss and remains in 12th place of the USL First Division.

Toronto is next in action when they take on the Virginia Beach Mariners in Virginia on Sunday July 2^nd at 8:00 PM.             

Final Score:     Toronto 1   Puerto Rico 2

Cautions: Toronto: Mattacchione 20, Arango 30   Puerto Rico: Rivera 35                                          

Ejections: None

Shots: Toronto 11, Puerto Rico 11

Saves:  Toronto 1, Puerto Rico 7

Fouls: Toronto 11, Puerto Rico 13

Scorers:  Toronto: Palleschi (unassisted) 38    Puerto Rico: Villegas (Barros-Schelotto) 12, Norambuena (Segovia) 74

The Toronto Lynx’ next game is away to the Virginia Beach Mariners on Sunday July 2^nd at 8:00 PM.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

ROB IRWIN, MEDIA RELATIONS

416-251-4625 ext. 23