June 3/09 PDL Toronto Lynx vs Forest City London

[Rocket Robin]

Result of the Wednesday June 3, 2009 PDL game between Toronto Lynx and Forest City London played at Ontario Soccer Centre in Vaughan at 11:00am.

46 min (2nd Half)…FC London Kevin Zimmerman GOAL…FCL Anthony Dibiase cornerkick from right has someone head flick from 5 yards on right across box and Zimmerman heads in 4 yarder on left into left side of net beyond goalie Nils Binstock.

57 min…Lynx Jordan Webb GOAL…Webb runs through four defenders while running even along edge of box from left and cuts low 18 yard shot from center into left corner of net beyond diving goalie Jeff Jellinek.

90 min…FC London Red card…Thomas Beattie picked up his second Yellow card for something (probably complaining) by referee Hassane Rifai. His first Yellow was at 31 minutes when his sliding tackle near the sideline injuring Dane Roberts.

Final Score:………Toronto Lynx……..1………..Forest City London……..1……….

Attendance was about 1000 with the stands full of children from schools around the GTA area. This venue was rescheduled on less than a day’s notice when the City of Toronto admitted that the resurfacing of Centennial Stadium in Etobicoke would not be completed in time for the game.

Lynx started off slow. They are competent defensively but have no finishing moves up front. Head coach Duncan Wilde berated them at halftime (they chose to stay on their bench rather then go back to the OSC building about 200 yards away) for only getting ‘one shot on goal’. They seemed to play better in the second half but subbing in midfielder Jordan Webb in halftime was a key move in getting that tying goal. Lynx goalie Nils Binstock had to be sharp to earn his team the point.

FC London used forwards Carl Haworth and Kevin Zimmerman as their scoring threats and Anthony DiBiase took most of their free kicks and cornerkicks. Midfielder Haris Cekic had some dangerous shots on net.

This was the home opener for the Lynx. There had been no pre-season press conference this year so I had to see the roster to see who I recognized from last year. Goalies Nils Binstock and Brandon Heembrock, defender Konnor ‘Michael’ McNamara, forwards Jean Tshimpaka and Daniel Revivo (minus his florescent orange shoes) were returnees as was midfielder Dane Roberts. Sergio DeLuca I recognize from this years in the CSL league. Forwards Macca Wilde (the coach’s son) and Sherif El-Masri had moved up from the Under- 20 team.

Neither bench liked the calls of referee Hassane Rifai. Lynx didn’t like how long it took to signal in a sub or how slow FC players were to leave the field when subbed near the end of the game. The FC bench didn’t like the cards and freekick calls going against them for their players’ challenges.

The Lynx pick up there first point and score their first goal of the season. Their record is two losses and one tie in three games. The team had not put out a game report on their road trip last weekend. Head coach Duncan Wilde answered me after the game they didn’t travel with a deep bench and the extra roster spots were filled with some of their Under 20 players. Both games were 2-0 losses to 2008 division winners (both opponents were in separate divisions last year) Chicago Fire and Michigan Bucks. Wilde has always wanted the Lynx to start as late as possible so the team can have more time to blend their players just coming home from their college teams. There was a guy watching the game today in street clothes told by the fourth official to stand back from the sideline who said he was just signed today by the Lynx. The US teams in their division have played about six games each because of commitments about playing enough games for qualifying for the US Open Cup. London’s record improved to two wins and one tie in their three games in this their inaugural year.

I didn’t read my e-mail from last night as I was busy and drove to Centennial Stadium as I expected the game to be held there. The turf is laid down but the numbers on the field are still being glued on. There was a heavy smell of solvents in the air. The stands are concrete and there are no seats or benches to sit on. Fortunately I met Trevor a super fan who used his cell phone (I don’t own one) to phone the Lynx office and find out about the change in location. He came by bus so I gave him a ride. Only forty minutes to get there! It would have been easy to get up Martin Grove Ave but on the way up that street a truck had jackknifed and was blocking all three lanes going northbound. Another detour but we pulled in with about ten minutes to spare.

Next Lynx game is Sunday June 7th at Centennial Stadium at 4:00pm against Cincinnati Kings. The CSL league has a game scheduled Friday night between Serbian White Eagles and Italia Shooters so we’ll see if city workers have the stadium ready.

Rocket Robin

robing@eol.ca

[Terrier]

Robin

Just to let you and everyone else know, the next Lynx PDL game is not on Sunday, nor at Centennial. The new date is tomorrow, Saturday, the kick off is at 7:00pm and it is at the Barrie Community Sports Complex which is just north of Barrie in Midhurst. This ties in with the Barrie Soccer Club's boys and girls tournament this weekend.