TORONTO LYNX MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LYNX TIED FOR FIRST PLACE IN CAN-AM CUP!
June 10, 2003 (TORONTO, ON) – After defeating the Montreal Impact in Toronto on Sunday, the Lynx grabbed a share of first place in the inaugural Can-Am Cup competition between divisional rivals Toronto, Montreal, the Rochester Raging Rhinos and Syracuse Salty Dogs. The victory earned the Lynx a split of the weekend home-and-home series with the Impact and placed both clubs at 1-1-0 in Can-Am Cup play. In other Can-Am Cup action this weekend, Rochester downed Syracuse 2-0 in the first Can-Am Cup match for each team. The three-way log jam atop the standings will begin to sort itself out on Wednesday, June 11th when the Lynx travel tomorrow night to Rochester to take on the Rhinos at 7:35 pm in a special Can-Am Cup match.
With each team playing a home-and-home series against the other competitors, Wednesday’s match will mark the midway point of the competition for the Lynx. A win would give them sole possession of first place. Midfielder, Joe Mattacchione, a member of last week’s A-League Team of the Week, thinks that the Can-Am Cup is a “great idea”, adding “there are four good teams competing this year. This is a very meaningful competition that should be continued and expanded in the future”. With several injuries to Lynx regulars, Mattacchione feels, “the team is banged up right now. This is a great opportunity for some of the new guys to step up and contribute. We want to win this cup!” Lynx head coach and general manager, Peter Pinizzotto echoes many of Mattacchione’s sentiments, “The Can-Am Cup is a great idea. It provides more meaning to many regular season games and will increase the competitive rivalry between Toronto, Montreal, Rochester and Syracuse. Unfortunately, we have picked up a few injuries over the weekend and will be a bit short staffed, but I’m confident that we have quality players in backup roles that will step up to the challenge”.
CAN AM CUP BATTLE TO CONTINUE ON FATHER APPRECIATION DAY!
The Lynx return to regular season action on Sunday, June 15 at 4:00pm when they battle Syracuse at Centennial Park Stadium. With the Salty Dogs having already beaten the Lynx twice this season and valuable Can-Am Cup points on the line, the game will demand another stellar performance by the Lynx. In a May home-and-home series, Syracuse came out on top 1-0 in Toronto and 3-0 in Syracuse in their first ever home opener. Since then, the Lynx form has improved dramatically, with key victories over Virginia Beach and Montreal in the past two weeks. Pre-game and halftime festivities will celebrate fathers with performances by Elite Danceworx and the Humber Express Barber Shop Chorus. On the field, the Lynx will need to contain ‘Dogs striker Gabriel Valencia, who recorded a hat trick in the last meeting between the clubs. Coming off a shut out ,versus the division leading Impact, Lynx captain and goalkeeper Theo Zagar and the rest of his stingy defense hope to continue to gain ground on the divisional leaders. The offensive fire power will be provided by striker Ali Ngon who after being the most dangerous player of the pitch in Montreal on Friday, scored the game winner, his first goal of the season, on Sunday. For tickets call 416-251-4625 ext. 31 or visit the Lynx online at www.lynxsoccer.com.
Quick notes:
Ÿ Syracuse Head Coach Laurie Calloway will not be on the sidelines Sunday due to a suspension.
Ÿ The Lynx look to welcome back midfielder Shawn Faria this week after missing the first 10 games of the season due to a foot injury.
Ÿ Midfielder Robbie Aristodemo and defender Jan Veenhof are doubtful for this week’s games due to injury. Both sustained hamstring injuries in this weekend’s battles with Montreal.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
DAVID NUTT -- MEDIA RELATIONS, TORONTO LYNX
416-251-4625, extension 30
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