PREVIEW: Armada Hosts Expansion Side Rayo OKC On Saturday For Pride Night

Armada FC Public Relations | May 6, 2016
Photo credit SE Sports Media

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Armada will wrap up its busy week at home with a showdown against North American Soccer League expansion side Rayo OKC at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Community First Park at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.

The Armada is coming off a tough 1-0 loss to FC Edmonton at home on Wednesday night despite owning possession (63-37), passing (488-276) and passing percentage (80-63). The Eddies defended well and used their height advantage to score off a set piece in the 64th minute when Pape Diakité headed in a Pablo Cruz corner.

Jacksonville's best chance at the equalizer came when previously injured Lucas Scaglia, who made his 2016 debut when he came on for Kevan George in the 82nd, nearly connected in front of the goal on a cross from Alhassane Keita.

Rayo is coming off a 2-1 loss to Indy Eleven last Saturday in Oklahoma City after it conceded a late goal. After falling behind early, Rayo's Brazilian midfielder Michel knotted the score when he connected on a 30-yard free kick. But Indy put the match away in the 77th when Nemanja Vukovic drew a foul, then scored on the tail end of the ensuing free kick.

Both the Armada and Rayo met in the preseason on March 18 in Jacksonville at Patton Park, with Rayo coming out on top 3-1. Midfielder Richard Menjívar scored twice for Rayo, while Armada forward Charles Eloundou found the back of the net for the Armada.

Below is a breakdown of the teams and the matchup.

WHEN & WHERE
Saturday, May 7 at 7 p.m. ET | Community First Park
Buy Tickets | Weather

MATCH PROMOTIONS
Pride Night – The Armada FC is inviting all of Northeast Florida to take a stand against discrimination and celebrate unity with the LGBT community. To commemorate the occasion, special edition Armada FC Pride Night scarves will be given out to the first 1,000 fans through the gates. Following the match, fireworks will be launched from the stadium roof. Prior to the match, the club is hosting the all new Intuition Blue and Bold Street Party presented by PRI Productions from 4:30-6:45 p.m. on A. Phillip Randolph Blvd. between Duval and Adams St. The bash features Intuition beers, special giveaways, exciting tailgating games and food trucks. In addition, there will be a stilt walker, face painting and live music from the Chris Tyler Band.

THE TEAMS
Jacksonville Armada FC (1W-1D-2L, 4 pts., 8th NASL Spring)
Rayo OKC (1W-1D-2L, 4 pts., 7th NASL Spring)

THE COACHES
Jacksonville Armada FC – Tony Meola, 1st season
Rayo OKC – Alen Marcina, 1st season

SERIES HISTORY
First official meeting

LAST RESULT (Preseason)
Rayo OKC 3, Armada 1 - 3/18/16 in Jacksonville (Patton Park) | Recap

CLUB QUICK LINKS
Armada: News | Roster | Schedule | Season Stats
Rayo OKC: News | Roster | Schedule | Season Stats

WATCH
- CW17 in Jacksonville – Cole Pepper – PXP, Mauricio Ruiz – Color and Ashlea Bullington – Sideline
- beIN Sports nationally – Kevin Egan – PXP and Chris Wittyngham – Color

LISTEN
- Live on Project 106.9-FM in Jacksonville | Stuart Webber – PXP, David Hayes – Color and Ashlea Bullington – Sideline 
- Also streamed live on iHeart app or project1069.iheart.com

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

POTENT NOTABLES

- Jacksonville has only scored two goals from inside the box, tied for the lowest total in the league so far this season.

- Jacksonville is the only team in the league which has yet to score a second-half goal this season. Rayo has scored four first-half goals this season, tied for most in the league.

- Jacksonville has faced 13 shots on target so far this season, the fifth fewest in the league. Rayo has faced 12 shots on target, tied for the third fewest in the league.

- Jacksonville has completed 594 passes in its own half so far this season, the third fewest in the league.

- Jacksonville is winning an average of 14.8 fouls per game, the second most in the league. Rayo is conceding an average of 9.5 fouls per game, the lowest in the league.

- Jacksonville wins an average of 50.3 duels per game, the third most in the league.

BY THE NUMBERS

9 – The number of yellow cards for the Armada through four matches, which is the third-least in the league for bookings. Jacksonville led the league in 2015 for most yellow cards with 64 and finished with the second-most red cards (9).

26.42 – The average age of the Armada's roster, which is third-youngest in the NASL behind FC Edmonton (25.58) and the Carolina RailHawks (26.35). Directly behind Jacksonville are New York (26.83) and Ottawa (27.26). The oldest team in the league in Rayo OKC at 28.36.

23 – The number of clearances for defender Tyler Ruthven, currently third-best in the NASL.

248 – The number of total passes from midfielder Richie Ryan, good for fifth-best in the league.

6 – The number of Armada players averaging more than 1.5 shots per 90 minutes played; Charles Eloundou (4.2), Jemal Johnson (2.8), Pascal Millien (2.6), Alhassane Keita (2.5), Junior Sandoval (2.3) and Matt Fondy (1.8).

CHALLENGE LIES WITH CONVERSION

There is no doubt the Armada has not had a tough time creating chances and controlling the flow of their games this season. Jacksonville leads the leads the league with 12.5 shots per game and is second-best with 54.9 percent possession, but it has not translated on the scoreboard. The Armada has the third-lowest shot conversion rate in the league at 7.5.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Armada will hit the road to take on Minnesota United FC at 8 p.m. ET next Saturday. The match will be shown locally on CW17 and nationally on beIN Sports. It will also be aired on Project 106.9-FM in Jacksonville and on the iHeart app.