Sadly, there is very little for me to write about this game. The game lacked any real rhythm or style, the Thunder were static and seemed to be asleep while the Lynx largely lacked the skill to take advantage of the Thunder’s malaise.

In the fifteenth minute, Sita-Taty Matundo used a couple of quick touches to split Christ Brunt and Brett Branan down the right and sent in a cross to Wyn Belotte who touched the ball past Joe Warren. A replay of all three goals against Puerto Rico and Joe Warren was absolutely furious.

The name of the game for Lynx for the rest of the half seemed to be to delay the game. They dived more than even the Italians or Argentines and the referee was poor to say the least. Epitomised by the 22^nd minute booking for Johnny Menyongar who was elbowed and shoved by Belotte near the Toronto bench, but when pushing the player away from him received a yellow card.

Matondo was especially guilty of diving, a puzzling tactic considering that he seemed to be the only Lynx player with the ability to carve open the Thunder without resorting to such playacting. By the 25^th minute every time he touched the ball, the Thunder faithful were chanting “Matondo, Matondo, take a dive!”

In the 40^th minute, the Thunder managed to grab an equalizer. Chris Brunt played a great ball through the center of the Toronto defense, beating four players for Johnny Menyongar to stride onto and stroke past the keeper for his sixth goal of the season.

The Thunder nearly went ahead in stoppage time as a high ball over the top from Jay Alerts was met by Kevin Friedland, but the Irvine, California native couldn’t get a better touch than the outside of his foot and the volley floated inches wide of the post.

At the half, coach Lagos made a couple of changes to try to wake his team up. He took of Melvin Tarley for Aaron Paye and replaced Freddy Juarez with Matt Schmidt.

The changes seemed to pay dividends as Menyongar and Tenoff both had good chances at the beginning of the half, but again the Thunder fell asleep and in the 58^th minute Toronto struck again.

With the Thunder midfield and defense standing still, Belotte sent in a cross from the right and Jamie Dodds knocked it past Joe Warren against the run of play.

The Thunder would have several good chances as the half continued, however, as even playing poorly they had more skill than the Lynx. Unfortunately, most of it came too little too late.

The shocking refereeing continued with the fourth official and linesmen unwilling or unable to help out the man in the center of the field.

In the 63^rd minute, Matondo flattened Jay Alberts with an elbow behind the play and with the referee’s back turned, he received no help from the linesman and had to try to piece together what had happened from seeing Alberts on the ground. In the 65^th minute, a Jeff Matteo free kick was deflected very high, and yet a goal kick was awarded, much to the displeasure of the entire crowd. On both occasions, the fourth official or linesman were positioned to see the play, but were not consulted by the referee and did they seem to try to get his attention.

The best chance that the Thunder would have to tie the game was in the 83^rd minute a ball crossed in from the right was laid on top of by Jeremie Piette while Knox tried to put it into the open net. Unbelieveably, the referee failed to call an indirect free kick for dangerous play either way.

As time wound down, Brett Branan was pushed into the attack to add some height, but the crosses were of no avail and Toronto clung on for their first win of the season.

It was a cool evening for the match, so fitness should not have played a role. However, even in the cooler evening, the thirst amongst the fans was undeniable. It impresses me that Thor can manage to survive in that suit of his, especially on days with the heat we had earlier this week. I believe that Thor deserves not only the Ho-ho’s that he is accustomed to receiving, but also that he be given free Smoothies at each game for what he contributes to the crowd atmosphere.

Ratings:

Warren – 6 – Nothing he could do about either goal, distribution was better.

Brunt – 5 – Chris made the assist, but must be looked at following four straight goals conceded in two games from crosses on his side.

Branan – 4.5 – ineffective when pushed to attack, and badly beaten for first goal.

Wilson – 5 – Put in a few good crosses and took a nice shot, but defensively must be better.

Alberts – 5 – Looked to still be out of touch with his teammates.

Matteo – 4.5 – Looked to be asleep, several bad touches and corners were sub-par.

Juarez – 4.5 – Invisible, which is common for a defensive mid, but usually Freddy contributes more.

Tenoff – 5 – Unable to stamp his authority on the midfield.

Friedland – 5 – Made a few good runs, but didn’t hook up well enough with teammates.

Tarley – 4.5 – Was ineffective at the top, but at least seemed to realize, unlike his teammates that he needed to check to the ball in order to receive it.

Menyongar – 5.5 – Got the goal, but seemed reluctant to shoot. Dropped back to received the ball, but was too often muscled off of it.

Subs:

Schmidt – 7 – Looked to be possessed when he came on. Wanted the ball and did things with it when he got it. I think it was a mistake to move him to defense when pushing Branan forward.  This is what we've been looking for from Matt.

Paye – 5 – Marginally better than Tarley, had some nice touches but couldn’t find the final one.

Lara – 5 – Largely invisible

Knox – 4.5 – came in to give height at forward, but didn’t display any header-winning ability.