RECAP: Armada Not Able to Convert Chances, Falls 3-0 to Cosmos

Final Stats

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – It was there for the taking, but the Jacksonville Armada could not overtake the North American Soccer League Fall Season leaders New York Cosmos despite multiple quality chances in a 3-0 loss on Wednesday night.

The Armada (1W-1D-1L NASL Fall, 4 pts.) stood in second place in the NASL Fall standings coming into the match and had an opportunity to climb to the top of the table with a win. But just as it was in Jacksonville’s meeting with New York in April, a couple of missteps allowed the Cosmos to break through and put the game out of reach.

Jacksonville had 10 shots on the night, five of which came from close range inside the box. New York goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer saved two of the attempts – a point-blank header from Kevan George in the 34th minute and another from Junior Sandoval in second half stoppage time.

The Armada stood toe-to-toe with the Cosmos in the first half, recording six shots to New York’s seven, but New York got on the board first in the 27th when Andres Flores took a through ball from Lucky Mkosana from inside the box and put it past a diving Sean Lewis off one touch. Then in the 34th, Flores struck again, this time assisting David Diosa in front of the goal on a cross from the right wing.

The Armada nearly found the equalizer in the 34th when Karl Ouimette found George in front of the net, who headed it toward the goal, but Maurer got a hand on it and tipped it over the goal.

Charles Eloundou, who came on for an injured Alex Dixon in the 23rd minute, attempted to get the Armada on the board in the 49th minute when he took a ball from Zach Steinberger and launched a rocket blast from over 20 yards out, but it sailed over the goal. In the 57th, Mechack Jerômé’s shot from outside the box missed right.

New York’s Adam Moffat upped his squad’s lead to 3-0 when he connected on a blast from outside the box that hit inside the upper left of the goal. Jacksonville’s best attempt at avoiding the shutout came in the second minute of stoppage time when Sandoval ran on to a Plumhoff cross, but it was stopped by Maurer. Maurer thwarted another Plumhoff cross in the 85th for Eloundou in front of the goal.

The Armada will return to action at 8 p.m. ET on Saturday in another road tilt at intrastate rival Miami FC with more Coastal Cup points at stake. The match will air live on CW17 in Jacksonville (pre-match coverage at 7:30 p.m.) and ESPN3 nationally. Fans can also listen on Project 106.9 FM in Jacksonville or on project1069.com (pre-match coverage at 7:30 p.m.).

MATCH REPORT:

Starting XI:

JAX (4-2-3-1): Lewis, Wallace, Ruthven, Ouimette, Bahner (Millien 65’), George, Jerômé, Johnson (Plumhoff 57’), Steinberger, Sandoval, Dixon (Eloundou 23’)

NYC (4-2-3-1): Maurer, Ayoze, Mendes, Ochieng, Freeman, Moffat, Szetela (Calvillo 90'), Diosa (Guenzatti 68’), Arango, Flores (Orozco 66’), Mkosana

Scoring Summary:

NYC: Flores (Mkosana) 27’
NYC: Diosa (Flores) 36’
NYC: Moffat 79’

Discipline:

JAX: Johnson (caution) 32’
NYC: Maurer (caution) 33’
NYC: Szetela (caution) 81’

Attendance:

3,827