Armada FC Surge Back But Fall Short Against Minnesota United

Armada FC Public Relations

BLAINE, Minn. (May 24, 2015) – In the club’s first trip to the North Star state, the Jacksonville Armada FC 3-1-3 (W-D-L) had a furious comeback attempt against Minnesota United but fell short 3-2 on Saturday evening at NSC Stadium.

In the hotly contested and hard fought battle for ball control that saw the Armada FC hold a 53-47 percent advantage, both clubs held their own for 53 minutes before a penalty kick from the Loons’ Pablo Campos opened up the scoring. The penalty was called after Minnesota’s Kalif Alhassan was controversially tripped by defender Lucas Rodriguez.

The scoring continued when a goal off the heel of United’s Tiago Calvano put the Loons up by two in the 58th minute. Although the goal was initially questioned on the field, it was soon confirmed.

Despite falling behind, Jacksonville kept its sights set straight, and 12 minutes later, the Armada FC rushed United FC, allowing forward Pascal Millien to pelt the ball past Minnesota’s Sammy NDjock to put the club the board. The goal was Millien’s second goal of the season.

Five minutes later, Loons forward Miguel Ibarra shot it past Armada FC goalkeeper David Sierra, who made his first start of the season, on a through pass from Pablo Campos to give Minnesota a 3-1 lead.

Armada FC forward Jemal Johnson capped off the game’s scoring in the 83^rd minute when he ripped a shot from 20 yards out to find the back of the net and keep the team in contention for the remainder of the match.

Jacksonville will return to action at 7 p.m. on Wednesday to take on the Richmond Kickers in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in Richmond, Va.

Lineups

Minnesota United Starting XI: GK Sammy Ndjock; D Kevin Venegas, Tiago Calvano, Cristiano Dias, Justin Davis; M Juliano Vicentini, Aaron Pitchkolan, Miguel Ibarra, Kalif Alhassan (Greg Jordan 66'), J.C. Banks (Jonny Steele 85'); F Pablo Campos (Christian Ramirez 78')

MNU Unused Subs: GK Mitch Hildebrandt; D Brian Kallman, Tyler Polak; F Geison Moura

Jacksonville Armada Starting XI: GK David Sierra; D Lucas Trejo (Jordan Gafa 78'), Matt Bahner, Shawn Nicklaw (Joseph Toby 69'); M Lucas Rodriguez (Akeil Barrett 60'), Bochy Hoyos, Marcos Flores, Pascal Millien, Lucas Scaglia, Jaime Castillon; F Jemal Johnson

JAX Unused Subs: GK Miguel Gallardo; D Nurdin Hrustic; M Nico Zaldano; F Tommy Krizanovic

Goals:

53'- Campos (PK) - MNU

58'- Calvano (unassisted) - MNU

71'- Millien (unassisted) - JAX

76'- Ibarra (Campos) - MNU

83'- Johnson (unassisted) - JAX

Discipline:

1'- Dias (YC) - MNU

13'- Nicklaw (YC) - JAX

34'- Scaglia (YC) - JAX

69'- Trejo (YC) - JAX

79'- Campos (YC) - MNU

83'- Calvano (YC) - MNU