Lynx Can’t Contain Fire, Edged 1-0 by Chicago

The Lynx returned to Varsity Centre tonight for their first match at the rebuilt downtown facility since 2001, but they were unable to harness the magic of the evening and fell 1-0 to the visiting Chicago Fire. The loss dropped the Lynx record to 1-1-0 (3 points) on the young season, while Chicago raised their record to 4-1-0.

Chicago took an early lead, notching a goal in the 10th minute. Michael Ferguson found Peri Marosevic open along the left flank, and fed him a through ball. The forward then launched a low blast towards the Lynx net from 20 yards out and beat Nils Binstock low on the right post for his second marker of the season. Chicago continued to press throughout the first half, but the Lynx defense held and the teams went to the break with the Fire ahead 1-0.

The Lynx regrouped after half and came out attacking. Toronto launched wave after wave towards the Fire goal, but were unable to finish. Chicago dropped back into a defensive formation to protect the lead, and keeper Patrick Sperry made a number of spectacular saves to keep the lead for the visitors. The Lynx best chance to score came in the 63rd minute when Derek Rios was left alone on the doorstep to the Chicago goal, but his powerful strike was stopped by Sperry with a diving leap and deflected to safety behind the touch line. The Fire withstood the Lynx onslaught until the final whistle and the game ended 1-0 in their favour. Toronto outshot their opponents 15-5 on the evening, but had to settle for the loss.

In a Super-20 League match played prior to the PDL match, the Lynx Juniors defeated the Fire 4-2 to raise their record to a perfect 2-0-0 to start the season.

The Lynx return to action on Sunday afternoon at 4:00 PM at Centennial Park Stadium when they host the West Michigan Edge. The game is a doubleheader with the Lady Lynx, who kick off at 1:00 PM against the Vermont Lady Voltage. Tickets are available at the Centennial Park Stadium box office one hour prior to kick-off.

Toronto
Binstock, DiLorenzo, Jonke, Titus, Grist, McNamara (Bahadur, 55), DeAbreu (Scott, 78), Rios (Oppong, 73), Omokhua, Revivo, Tshimpaka (Medwin, 45)

Chicago
Sperry, McMahon, Binger (Gehrig, 63), Giffin, Barkage, Usinger, Schuler, DeGurian (Jones, 68), Guzman (Simek, 63), Ferguson (King, 90), Marosevic
Stats TOR-CHI
Cautions … 2 (Grist, 9′, Tshimpaka 18′) – 2 (Barklage, 68′, 80′)
Ejections … 0 – 1 (Barklage, 80′ – 2 Cautions)
Shots … 15 – 5
Saves … 1 – 6
Fouls … 13 – 11
Offsides … 0 – 3
Corners … 9 – 0

Scorers
CHI … 10′ Marosevic (Ferguson)