TORONTO LYNX MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LYNX RE-SIGN MATTACCHIONE
Tuesday, April 5, 2005 (TORONTO, ON) - With the high roster turnover from last season, Lynx fans will be pleased with the re-signing of one of the most popular players in club history, Joe Mattacchione. The veteran midfielder/defender from Mississauga is a leader both on and off the field and will again be counted on by new Lynx head coach, Hubert Busby Jr., to provide stability to the 2005 roster.
"I'm very excited to be returning to Toronto," said Mattacchione. "There is a real buzz in the air and a lot of excitement surrounding this year's team. We have had a solid training camp thus far and are looking forward to kicking off the season!"
Entering his sixth season with the club, Mattachione, 29, ranks in the Lynx top ten all-time in goals (7), assists (4), points (18) as well as games (131) and minutes played (10,027). In 2004, the graduate of Father Michael Goetz Secondary School was solid once again, leading the team in games and minutes played while displaying the pinpoint passing and rocket right foot that he has come to be known for. After a successful youth soccer career with the Dixie Soccer Club and Mississauga Soccer Club, Mattacchione attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham where was named first team All-Conference after each of his four season and earned a degree in Education. A hard worker both on and off the field, Mattacchione continued his education, completing his teaching credentials at the University of Toronto during the 2003/04 off-season. Mattacchione was named the 2002 Toronto Lynx Best Defensive Player.
LYNX ADD FIREPOWER TO ATTACK
The Lynx have also announced the penning of Trinidad and Tobago international striker, Conrad Smith for the 2005 season. Smith spent the 2004 USL First Division season with the Calgary Mustangs, where he lead the team with 6 goals and also recorded 2 assists in 22 games. After spending the off-season training with the T&T national team in their successful campaign to qualify for the 2005 Gold Cup, Smith will be expected to partner with record setting striker, Ali Gerba, to spearhead the Lynx attack. Smith will join the Lynx upon approval of his international clearance from Trinidad and Tobago.
"After having a very good rookie season in the A-League, I'm looking for Conrad to solidify himself as a top striker," says new Lynx Head Coach, Hubert Busby. "I believe we now have one of the best striking tandems in the league."
Smith began his international career scoring in his first match versus Kuwait at the four-nations tournament in Shanghai, China in 2001 and has since represented Trinidad and Tobago 24 times at the international level, scoring 9 goals. Before making his North American professional debut, Smith enjoyed success with Caledonia AIA of the Trinidad and Tobago Pro League and has had several training stints with MLS clubs.
LYNX READY FOR BACK-TO-BACK EXHIBITION MATCHES
In preparation for their first three road trips of the season, all back-to-back matches, the Lynx will take to the road this weekend to get a taste of the physical demands these matches will demand. Toronto will open the weekend with an exhibition match versus their USL First Division rival, the Rochester Raging Rhinos, at East Rochester High School with a 4pm kickoff. The Rhinos will be the only exhibition match against a USL First Division opponent during the Lynx' preseason and will provide Busby with the opportunity to see how his overhauled roster stacks up against one of the league powers. After winning the A-League title in 1998, 2000 and 2001, the Rhinos will be looking to recapture their winning form after failing to reach the final since their last championship. The Rhinos also have a new head coach, Laurie Calloway, formerly of the Syracuse Salty Dogs.
The Lynx will continue their preparation on Sunday with a match versus St. Anthony's Italia at Minto Field in Napean, ON at 3:45pm. St. Anthony's Italia compete in the Ottawa Carleton Soccer League. Last year, Busby lead St. Anthony's to the Canada Open Cup finals were they lost to the Windsor Border Stars of the CPSL in penalties. The St. Anthony's roster is comprised of many former Ottawa Wizards players as well as several promising young talents from the Ottawa area.
"St. Anthony's is a club steeped in soccer tradition," explains Busby. "The club is run by a passionate group of volunteers who clearly care about promoting the game of soccer in this country."
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
DAVE NUTT -- MEDIA & PUBLIC RELATIONS, TORONTO LYNX SOCCER CLUB
416-251-4625 ext. 25
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