RECAP: Scandinavian Trio's Debut Bright Spot in Armada's 2-0 Loss to Ottawa

Mike McCall, ArmadaFC.com | July 23, 2016
Photo by SE Sports Media

Final Stats

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Perhaps someday in the coming months, Tony Meola will be able to reflect on Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Ottawa Fury FC and think, “Look how far we’ve come.”

Because in the first-year coach’s effort to make over the Jacksonville Armada FC, this felt like something of a low point.

“It was a poor performance all around,” Meola said. “After the first 15 minutes, it was poor. I take full responsibility. I take responsibility for every bad pass, every decision, every play, every missed tackle. It’s all on me.”

The coach’s efforts to reverse the fortunes of 2015’s last-place finish via roster overhaul were on full display, as only one starter (defender Matt Bahner) predated Meola, and five had joined the team in the past six weeks.

The biggest of Meola’s moves — striker Alex Andersson and midfielders Pekka Lagerblom (captain) and Nicklas Maripuu — made their debuts Saturday. Coupled with the fact that the Armada had started this month with a quick four points before dropping two games on the road, there was reason for optimism.

Instead, it was one of the most uninspired performances in club history, adding onto streaks that stand at three-straight losses and 333 minutes without a goal.

Jacksonville (1-1-3 NASL Fall Season, 4 pts., 2-5-8, 11 pts. Combined) took control and had scoring chances early, then ceded the reigns as Thomas Stewart and Carl Haworth gave the visitors the advantage at Community First Park. The Armada is now 0-0-8 when allowing the first goal, and it has yet to score an equalizer this season.

“The story of this team has been that we haven’t been able to come back,” Meola said. “That takes character, that takes heart, that takes sticking with a plan, that takes making plays. All of those things are my fault.”

On the brighter side, Meola said he felt the recent arrivals from Sweden, Andersson and Maripuu, were the Armada’s best performers.

Andersson won a free kick early and nearly scored twice in the first 10 minutes, but his afternoon grew quieter from there. Maripuu and Lagerblom — who was signed in December but had been out with an injury — showed poise in the midfield and flashed their passing ability.

“I’m tired of passing the ball backward,” Meola said. “I’d rather lose the ball forward than lose the ball backward. Nicklas gives us a guy who’s willing to pass the ball forward.”

Maripuu, who was named Farah and Farah Man of the Match, admitted he’s still adjusting to the heat and humidity of Florida, but added, “I’m not going to complain, compared to Sweden.”

Of Andersson, whom he played against in Sweden, Maripuu said: “He will definitely score goals. It’s going to come.”

After Andersson’s dangerous early moments, the Fury fired a shot across the bow in the 21^st minute when Maxim Tissot got in behind Bahner, and goalkeeper Sean Lewis had to come out to stop the attack. And then in the 37^th, Ottawa (1-0-3 Fall, 3 pts., 3-3-8, 12 pts. Combined) broke through.

Bryan Olivera darted toward goal with the ball at his feet, then placed a perfect pass to Stewart on the right. Stewart controlled it and calmly finished with his left foot to notch the opening goal.

The second half brought more chances for Ottawa, with fullback Eddie Edward nearly doubling the lead in the 58^th with a header that went just wide. But Haworth finished that job two minutes later, lashing a shot just inside the far post after a long run from Olivera.

Trailing by two, Meola made two changes that were progressively more attack-minded. First, he brought on striker Charles Eloundou for holding midfielder Kevan George, transforming the 4-1-4-1 lineup into a 4-4-2. Next, he dropped fullback Anthony Wallace for winger Jemal Johnson, moving to three at the back.

That did lead to chances, including an Eloundou shot in the 89^th and a Junior Sandoval rocket off the post in stoppage time, but the Armada couldn’t find a goal, despite finishing with a 14-9 edge in shots and tying 3-3 in shots on target.

“We just didn’t have enough,” Bahner said. “We have to get that killer instinct and put the ball in the back of the net.”

The Armada will be back in action next Saturday at the Fort Lauderdale Strikers. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

MATCH REPORT:

Starting XI:
JAX (4-1-4-1): Lewis, Wallace (Johnson 74’), Ruthven, Ouimette, Bahner, George (Eloundou 61’), Sandoval, Lagerblom (Plumhoff 45’), Maripuu, Steinberger, Andersson

OTT (3-5-2): Peiser, Rozeboom, Alves, Roberts, Tissot, Olivera (Williams 72’), Bailey (Eustaquio 68’), de Guzman (Chin 82’), Edward, Haworth, Stewart

Scoring Summary:
OTT: Stewart (Olivera) 37’
OTT: Haworth (Olivera) 60’

Discipline:
OTT: Estaquio (caution) 86’

Attendance:
3,411