TORONTO LYNX MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TONY MENEZES SIGNS WITH LYNX

2006 Roster Unveiled

TUESDAY APRIL 18, 2006 (TORONTO, ON) The Toronto Lynx Soccer Club today announced the signing of defender Tony Menezes. The former Men’s National Team member has earned 27 caps for Canada and was a member of the Gold Cup champion squad in 2000. Menezes was introduced to the media this morning at the annual Toronto Lynx Press Conference/Meet the Lynx Luncheon held at the Travelodge Hotel Airport in Etobicoke. The 6’1 Menezes, 32, was born in Mississauga but emigrated to Brazil with his family at a young age. Pending his international clearance, he will be a key member in the 2006 Lynx squad as they begin their quest for a USL Division 1 playoff berth this Saturday, April 22, in Virginia Beach against the Mariners at 7:30 PM.

The Lynx also unveiled a number of key signings as the club introduced the bulk of their roster for the upcoming season. Midfielder David DiPlacido re-signed with the club after being traded to the Montreal Impact mid-season in 2005. He will be joined in the midfield by the Lynx’ leading scorer last season, Jamie Dodds, and Huffman Eja-Tabe who return from last year’s squad. Darren Baxter returns to the club after a one-season absence from the Lynx midfield. Defender Andres Arango has re-inked as well and along with Menezes and Chris Williams will form a formidable backline. Defender/Midfielder Cameron Medwin joins the club for his rookie season after being a key member of the CPSL’s Vaughan Shooters for the past three seasons, were he led the club to the championship final in each season.

Three rookie forwards are expected to make significant contributions to the Lynx attack this season: Ryan Anstey, Matthew Palleschi and Jeremy Shepherd have signed with the club for the season. Anstey joins the Lynx from the University of Prince Edward Island, where he was named Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Player of the Year in 2005. Matthew Palleschi comes to the club via the Vaughan Shooters (CPSL) and Humber College, at which he earned the team MVP as a rookie in 2002. Jeremy Shepherd was a member of the inaugural Toronto Lynx Super Y League U14 squad in 2000, and played for the CPSL champion Oakville Blue Devils in 2005. Duncan Wilde feels that “Shepherd and Palleschi were the two premier strikers in the CPSL last season, and they will be very important members of our squad this season.

Finally, Theo Zagar will return between the pipes in 2006, in addition to serving as an assistant coach with the club. Zagar has three times been named the club’s most valuable player, and will serve as an excellent mentor for Chris Baker, who has signed with the team for 2006 and will begin the season as the club’s backup keeper. Baker, 20, joins the club from the Lynx Jr’s Super Y League team, leading the U19’s to conference championships in the past two campaigns.

Following this weekend’s season opener in Virginia Beach, the Lynx head to Vancouver on April 29 for a match with the Whitecaps. The club returns home for their 10th home opener on Saturday May 13 at 4:00 against the visiting Rochester Raging Rhinos.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
ROB IRWIN, DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, TORONTO LYNX SOCCER CLUB
416-251-4625 ext. 23

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