RECAP: Late Ottawa Goal Hands Armada 1-0 Road Loss

Armada FC Public Relations | May 22, 2016
Photo by Steve Kingsman, Freestyle Photography

Final Stats

OTTAWA, Ontario – A late goal by Marcel De Jong gave the Ottawa Fury FC a 1-0 win over the Jacksonville Armada in North American Soccer League action on Sunday afternoon at TD Place Stadium.

The majority of the match was a stalemate between the sides until the 88th minute when a De Jong kick from near the endline deflected off a diving Miguel Gallardo and into the goal.

Armada forward Charles Eloundou had a match-high seven shots, but only two went on goal, with the other attempts proving to be too strong and sailing over the goal or being blocked. Despite allowing the late goal, Gallardo made four saves, including a pair of second half clutch dives that kept Jacksonville in it.

“You have to make plays and you have to put the ball in the net,” said Tony Meola, Armada head coach. “It’s hard for the guys and the effort they put in. We battled and created as many chances as they did. Miguel made good saves and kept us in it. We just need to make plays.”

The first half proved to be mostly uneventful for both teams. Ottawa’s Dennis Chin had two clean looks off counterattacks in the 10th and 24th minutes, but one sailed over the goal and the other was pulled in by Gallardo.

Jacksonville’s best look of the first half came when forward Jemal Johnson took the ball down the left wing and placed his cross right in front of the goal, but a charging Alhassane Keita was not able to connect.

Eloundou had another clean look from 20 yards out for the Armada in the 40th, but Fury FC goalkeeper Romauld Peiser was there to make the stop.

He had a trio of prime chances in the second half but wasn’t able to finish. In the 54th, Johnson centered in a cross that Eloundou tried to put home, but his attempt was blocked.

In the 62nd minute, he led the Armada down the pitch on a counterattack, then had a smooth give-and-go with Keita, but Eloundou’s shot sailed over the goal. He had another shot off a breakaway in the 77th go just high.

With the loss, Jacksonville is now 1-1-5 on the season, while Ottawa improves to 2-2-3.

The Armada will return home on Saturday to take on Indy Eleven at Community First Park. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m., and it will be Military Appreciation Night. Tickets are $5 for anyone with a military ID. Call 1.844.2.ARMADA or visit armadafc.com/tickets for more information.

MATCH REPORT:

Starting XI:

JAX (4-3-3): Gallardo, Bahner, Ruthven, Navarro, Nicklaw, Perea (Dixon 89’), Sandoval (Fondy 66’), George, Johnson (Gebhard 80’), Keita, Barrow

OTT (4-3-3): Peiser, Obasi, Timbo, Alves, Rozeboom, Bailey, De Jong, Steele, Vered (Haworth 69’), Chin (Olivera 80’), Paulo Jr. (Porter 69’)

Scoring Summary:

OTT: De Jong (Haworth) 88’

Discipline:

OTT: Alves (caution) 53’
OTT: Obasi (caution) 59’
JAX: Keita (caution) 90+1’

Attendance:

5,550