Toronto Lynx: 1, Atlanta Silverbacks: 0
Starting Lineups:
Toronto- Zagar, Bedenikovic, Arango, Medwin, Chin (SUB: Dekker, 52nd), Aristodemo (SUB: Anstey, 75th), Dodds, Jeffrey, Pottinger (SUB: Sheppard, 52nd, Steele, 89th), Palleschi (SUB: Neto, 83rd).
Atlanta- Quintero, DeLatorre, Bobo, Jarun (SUB: DeLima, 46th), Hayes (SUB: Pineda-Chacon, 79th), Smith (SUB: Dawkins, 63rd), McManus (SUB: Afful, 76th), Rios, Buete, McLaughlin, Millwood.
(Centennial Park Stadium, Toronto) It was difficult what to make of tonight's fixture prior to kick off on a variety of fronts; while Atlanta had hosted Portland less than 24-hours previous and traveled to Toronto through the night, the Lynx had only just competed in a controversial, punishing Open Canada Cup match on Friday against the intimidating Serbian White Eagles of the CPSL (which Toronto won on penalty kicks 3-2). The heat too, soaring well in to the nineties, seemed to suit the southern competitors better than their north-of-the-border counterparts, a sticky merciless hue hanging over the city for the entire weekend.
Yet, a 58th minute strike by Matt Palleschi gave the Lynx their third-in-a-row USL win at home. Orchestrated up the right flank by Aristodemo, the speedy Lynx midfielder dropped his pass long to the left to meet the sturdy forward; Palleschi forced his man to commit one way, slunk the other and released with definitive precision. Shooting low and hard for the far post, the ball screamed past an outstretched Quintero for his second of the season.
Despite both teams meeting under grueling conditions, Toronto looked more up for the challenge, and offered quality attempts for more goals (13 in all). As always seems to happen when they play Toronto away, the 'Backs packed their defensive end in an effective but sterilizing method, getting little in the way of offense to rookie McLaughlin (Atlanta's current goal leader with 4). The towering Machel Millwood fared better with a tricky cross-goal strike in the 22nd minute, but the shot was punched cleanly by GK Zagar (earning another shutout this evening following last week's game versus the visiting Battery).
While Toronto had an earlier pristine opportunity for another goal, a spot-on Dodds header from a curling Aristodemo corner kick in the dying seconds of the first half, it was cleared off the line by a busy Atlanta defense and Palleschi's goal remained the only one of the match.
The Lynx physical element was impressive as well, with tough play through both Gordon Chin and his second half substitute Niels Dekker. In fact, Chin's masterful 35th-minute slide tackle on Rios in Toronto's attacking end made for an Atlanta cough-up on possession; the ball rolling to a lurking Jamie Dodds, who one-timed an attempt over a drifting Quintero; while close, the sinking shot went clear of the crossbar and with no danger for the out-of-position Atlanta 'keeper.
While keeping their composure for the majority of the match, Atlanta's De LaTorre reacted poorly to a close quarters challenge near the final whistle, obviously frustrated as his team were attempting to mount a late equalizer, and was shown a straight red for his hasty reaction. (While not a pure traditionalist, I think anyone who plays a team sport willingly with the numbers '00' on their back are asking for trouble from some unseen force).
However, the true moment of drama in the game occurred seconds later when young Toronto striker Jeremy Sheppard was on the wrong end of a mistimed challenge, improperly braced for the impact, and suffered what appeared an immediate compound break to the ankle. More than one Lynx teammate said they could hear the sickening snap from the bench, and the fear remains promising rookie Sheppard has played his last match of the 2006 campaign.
Notwithstanding this horrendous stroke of misfortune, the Toronto squad remained positive after the game with another victory. "Despite only the one goal, I think we did enough tonight to win completely", said Lynx midfielder Chin. "We've stuck together as a squad despite the slow start to the season…our confidence is really coming into the game now, we're getting those breaks we missed in the beginning, and just played with the effort we needed to get another win."
Added Coach Duncan Wilde, "we should've taken more offensive chances and had more goals for our efforts, but we were just depleted from the Cup match on Friday, and are now missing both David DiPlacido and Joe Mattacchione to injury. Hopefully at least one of them (probably David) will be ready to go for the match in Rochester this coming Friday night."
"You know, it's quite strange. We played much better at the beginning of the season and with no result. Now, we're playing with as much command or cohesiveness and it seems we're doing enough."
Whatever Toronto is doing, they should continue on the same path for hope of a point-getting result in the away fixture versus the tough Rhinos on Friday the 21st. With Rochester on the winning end of strange 5-4 result against Miami FC last night, things may be topsy-turvy enough in Rochester for Toronto to play for the result they need to remain on the climb as a table competitor. And oh yeah, there's something in the way of an ever-growing confidence that has a say in the matter too.
Card Infractions: Toronto- Dodds (yellow, 19th), Chin (yellow, 51st), Dekker (yellow, 59th). Atlanta- McManus (yellow, 49th), De LaTorre (red, 87th), Dawkins (yellow, 89th).
