Which team will train in Puerto Rico ???

[Bxl Boy]

The Toronto Lynx Soccer management has concluded an agreement with the new A-League expansion team, the Puerto Rico Islanders, to train in San Juan, Puerto Rico beginning April 8th, 2004. The Lynx will be housed at the Olympic Training Centre in Salinas, the southern part of the Island and will play against the Islanders for their inaugural Home Opener. Joe Serralta, the President of the Islanders who also holds the position of President of the Puerto Rico Futbol Federation, is ecstatic regarding hosting the Lynx. "This is a wonderful opportunity that allows us to train with greater intensity and showcase our teams through exhibition matches!" Duncan Wilde, the Toronto Lynx head coach, also looks forward to this pre-season training session saying, "This is a great opportunity to work on our system of play and bond as a team before the start of the season. By holding our pre-season camp in Puerto Rico, we not only have the advantage of a warmer climate but it further provides us a more focused environment with fewer distractions making for more effective training sessions in preparation for the upcoming season."

Presently, Wilde and his team of coaches are busy putting the finishing touches on the Lynx’ open trials in January and also the SYL trials for boys U15, U16, U17 and U18/19. He will also be traveling to the UK once again on December 4th to continue scouting English internationals and negotiating with clubs in the UK for up and coming talent to strengthen the 2004 Lynx Roster.

True to Wilde’s style, he is losing no time and has begun informal training sessions on Saturday mornings for the Toronto-based Lynx players and free agents interested in catching his eye. This new off-season initiative will allow him the opportunity to familiarize himself with the Lynx talent before training camp begins on March 29th. “It’s a chance to have the local guys get together throughout the off-season to have a bit of fun and also get to know the new coaching staff. With such a short season and new coaches, it’s important that we get a jump on 2004 by getting to know the players as well as possible during the off-season”.