pictures are here:
http://22066.vws.magma.ca/07lynx04.htm .........................................................
Result of the Sunday May 13, 2007 PDL game between Toronto Lynx and West Michigan Edge played at Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke at 4:00pm.
75 min…Lynx RED card…Alex Ruhe Lischke picks up his second Yellow card of the half for a tackle at the Lynx 40 yard line.
Final Score:…………Toronto Lynx……….0…………..West Michigan Edge………..0…………
Attendance wasn't announced although supposedly it was 365 for their lowest attendance ever. I'd estimate it was only about 125 by a halftime count I made. That was lower than yesterday when they held a double header with the Lady Lynx who has their own fan base. I missed yesterday's games when I was at BMO Field watching Toronto FC main game and reserve game. The Lady Lynx won 3-0 over Rochester a rescheduled exhibition game when the W-League pulled the franchise of Sudbury Canadians who were supposed to be here for the home opener. The (male) Lynx lost 3-0 against the Edge.
The weather was mild and sunny. The field was in excellent shape except I was taken aback by seeing a previous attempt at painting the centre line. The west end was alright but the east side had initially been painted three yards further to the south then the corrected line. I don't know if any games had been played with this wedge.
Robert Cavicchia earned the shutout for the Lynx and Chris Austin earned it for the Edge. Most of the saves from both goalies were from just outside the box and dives forward to stop through balls before a forward could make a play.
Referee Mike Connolly was freely giving out cards and whistling down knocks.
Lynx coach Duncan Wilde subbed six outfield players during the second half. The team were outplayed at the beginning of the game but took over in the second half and were applying pressure until the red carding which made the game more even as this left them short upfront.
Lynx forward Frank Jonke had one of the rare good chances of the whole afternoon for either team when he got to a loose ball and his 12 yard shot was into the low left corner of the net but on the outside meshing so it was just a goal kick. I was impressed with Lynx defender Kayin Jeffers for his blocks on Edge players and rushes and precision passing. Richard Asante is a late addition to the team who left Toronto FC of the MLS and he looked good in the midfield.
The Lynx open their season with one of a possible six points this weekend with two home games against the Edge. They also didn't score in their first two games (shades of another Toronto soccer team). It was their debut in the Premier Development League which is an amateur league with age restrictions that limit most players to being under 23. The team didn't have their players together until this weekend. Kevin Omokhua, Daniel Revivo and Elton Fernandes are still away at university at this time.
It's getting lonelier as now I'm the only journalist covering today's game. The Lynx/Lady Lynx Media Day is on Wednesday May 16th, 2007 at 4:00pm and that includes a scrimmage. I don't play soccer and will be struggling to get downtown in time for the MLS TFC vs. Houston game.
Next home game for the Lynx is Friday May 25th at 11:00am Chicago Fire Premier. They are a development team of the MLS Chicago Fire. The MLS Colorado Rapids have a team in one of the other conferences along with some USL teams.
Rocket Robin
robing@eol.ca