Match Preview: Armada FC Clash With United FC Wednesday in Minnesota

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (July 14, 2015) - The Jacksonville Armada FC will play its first mid-week match of the 2015 North American Soccer League season when it heads to Blaine, Minn., to take on Minnesota United FC at 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

The Armada dropped a 1-0 road contest to the Atlanta Silverbacks on Saturday evening despite seemingly having the upper hand for the majority of the match. Atlanta's Michael Reed scored on a counterattack in the 60^th minute on a laser strike from 20-yards out. Jacksonville seemingly had the equalizer in the 80^th minute when an Alhassane Keita cross deflected off forward Tommy Krizanovic into the Silverbacks goal, but it was waived off due to a handball call.

Minnesota drew 1-1 with Ottawa Fury FC last Saturday, a club that defeated the Armada 2-0 on July 5 in Ottawa. The Loons' Christian Ramirez blasted a shot past Fury FC goalkeeper Romuald Peiser in the 32^nd minute, snapping Ottawa's league-record shutout streak of 648 minutes. Ottawa's Tom Heinemann scored the equalizer on a penalty kick in the 75^th minute.

The teams last met in Minnesota on May 23 in a 3-2 United win that saw a furious comeback by the Armada fall just short. After falling behind 2-0 early in the second half, forward Pascal Millien slotted home a goal in the 71^st minute to cut United's lead in half. Former marquee midfielder Miguel Ibarra, who left for Mexico's Club León in June, pushed Minnesota's lead to 3-1 in the 76^th minute when he scored on a breakaway set up by Pablo Campos. Jemal Johnson pulled Jacksonville to within one in the 83^rd minute when his booming free kick went through the hands of Loons 'keeper Sammy Ndjock.

Below is a breakdown of each team and the match.

WHEN & WHERE
Wednesday, July 15 at 8 p.m. ET | NSC Stadium
Buy Tickets | Weather

THE TEAMS
Jacksonville Armada FC (0W-0D-2L, 0 pts., 11^th NASL Fall; 3-3-6, 12 pts., 9^th NASL Combined)
Minnesota United FC (0W-1D-1L, 1 pt., 10^th in NASL Fall; 3-6-3, 15 pts., 5^th NASL Combined)

SERIES HISTORY
Minnesota leads, 1-0-0

LAST RESULT
United FC 3, Armada FC 2 - 5/23/15 in Blaine, Minn. | Recap | Video Highlights

CLUB QUICK LINKS
Armada FC: News | Roster | Schedule | Season Stats
United FC: News | Roster | Schedule | Season Stats

WATCH
- CW17 in Jacksonville (Streamed live at yourjax.com/Armada with delayed highlights on "Armada Extra Time" - Airing at 11 p.m. ET) | Cole Pepper
- ONE World Sports

LISTEN
- Sports Radio 930-AM in Jacksonville | Stuart Webber - PXP and Bob Veal - Color
- Also streamed live on sportsradiojax.iheart.com

READ
- Live Twitter updates on @ArmadaFCgameday - #MNUvJAX
- Live stats on ArmadaFC.com

WHAT'S AT STAKE
A Wednesday night victory would be a major boost for either team as it tries to make up ground in the Fall Season and Combined tables. Neither team has notched a win yet in the fall, but Minnesota does at least have a point from its draw with Ottawa.

Though still early to project NASL Championship scenarios, three points on the table would represent a major boost in the Armada's effort to stay in touch with the top of the table. With an 11^th-place spot in the NASL Fall Season standings and 10 ^th-place Combined spot, it would be beneficial to any top four aspirations for Jacksonville to steal one on the road.  

Minnesota currently sits fifth on the combined table, just one slot out of the playoffs. With a win over the Armada, the Loons would leapfrog Indy Eleven for fourth place in the combined table.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Jacksonville: With Lucas Scaglia suspended from Wednesday's match after receiving two yellow cards on Saturday, it will be up to Bochy Hoyos and Jaime Castrillon to anchor the midfield in his absence. Hoyos has been an integral part of the flow of Jacksonville's attack, recording two goals and an assist in the Spring Season. Castrillon produced arguably his best performance of 2015 on Saturday against Atlanta, notching three shots that were all close scoring opportunities.

Minnesota: With Ibarra no longer on the team, the focus is on leading scorer Campos (four goals) and Ramirez, who has three goals and two assists. Defender Kevin Venegas has been a top maestro on the attacking end for United, notching a team-leading three assists.

NOTABLES

• Despite their scoring woes (181 minute scoreless streak), the Armada have not been letting up on the attack. Jacksonville leads the NASL in shots taken with 97, five ahead of the New York Cosmos.
   
• Lucas Rodriguez, who spent 2010-13 with Minnesota and won the 2011 NASL Championship with the Loons, will make his second trip up north to take on his former club. Rodriguez got the starting nod at left back against United FC in his previous trip to Minnesota on May 23 and played 60 minutes.

LOOKING AHEAD
Jacksonville will make its Fall Season debut at home on Saturday, July 18 at 7:30 p.m. ET against the New York Cosmos at Community First Park. The Cosmos, well known for their success in the 1970s, will be making their return to Jacksonville since an April 10, 1982 matchup with the old Jacksonville Tea Men. To commemorate the occasion, the Armada are hosting a "Saturday Night Fever/1970s Disco" themed match and will be giving away a special prize to the best 70s-dressed fan. Tickets are available by calling 1.844.2.Armada or by going to armadafc.com.