Lynx claw to victory
'Stangs add one more to skid
By CAMERON MAXWELL -- Calgary Sun
For once, it was beautiful weather for the Calgary Mustangs -- but the result was still the same.
As fans used umbrellas to shield the sun instead of rain, the visiting Toronto Lynx clawed its way to a 3-2 victory over the 'Stangs at McMahon Stadium in a very entertaining soccer game.
Lynx striker Ali Gerba did most of the damage, scoring two goals and bumping his season total to 11.
The Mustangs twice rallied from one-goal deficits but Charles Gbeke tallied the winner at the 49-minute mark, extending Calgary's losing streak to six games.
"We're still in a building process but for myself, I get a little tired of repeating that. It's the truth but it doesn't mean that you can't get a result," said Mustangs captain Geert Brusselers, who scored his first goal of the season.
"We need to break through that losing game. We have to finally get a result in and make it happen for ourselves.
"Toronto is not better than us and yet they walk out with three points and that means we have to defend better and score better, period."
It's the same theme that's haunted the 2-14-2 club all season.
The Lynx scored first as Gerba finished off a two-on-one in the ninth minute after John Nusum grabbed a turnover by Calgary's Mike Pavicic.
Then, after badly missing an open shot from 18 yards, Calgary's Conrad Smith atoned for the terrible shot, converting a beautiful cross from Jamie Auvigne in the 15th minute and tying the game 1-1.
But Toronto quickly went ahead again, with the slick Gerba netting his second of the game just nine minutes after Smith's goal.
Then Calgary midfielder Steffen Holdt and Toronto midfielder Shawn Faria got into a bit of a scuffle and were given red cards, meaning each club had to play with 10 men in the 40C temperature at field level.
The Mustangs got fired up after that, as Brusselers nicely headed in a corner kick -- top right shelf, by Mesut Mert and Calgary tied it 2-2, claiming the momentum heading into halftime.
But Gbeke's goal stole the Mustangs' thunder, while the heat and Lynx defence did the rest as Calgary couldn't score again, despite generating a couple of premium opportunities.
Second-half substitute Damir Jesic, who was wide open outside the box, took a pass but blasted the ball miles over the net.
Then, in the final minute, Jordan Gillespie made a cross through the Toronto crease but it was just inches too far for a streaking Nick Zuniga, who only had to get a foot on it for a goal.
The 'Stangs won't have to wait long to try and snap their six-game skid when the 11-7-0 Portland Timbers visit McMahon Stadium Wednesday night at 7 p.m.
