Preview: Armada Return To Community First Park for Final Meeting with Rayo OKC

Armada FC Communications | Sept. 22, 2016

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Armada return home to Community First Park following a three-match road stretch and over a month away from its home pitch this Saturday when it takes on Rayo OKC at 7:00 p.m. ET.

North American Soccer League newcomers Rayo OKC (4W-6D-5L, 18 pts. NASL Fall, 7-9-9, 8 pts. Combined) return to the First Coast for the final of three meetings this year. So far, OKC has the Armada’s number, leading the series 2-0-0 in league play.

Rayo recorded its first league win against Armada back in May with a 1-0 late winner. The OKC attackers took advantage of a long cross from Michel that Gallardo was not able to intercept, allowing Robbie Findley to put it in the back of the net.

In the second meeting and Armada’s first visit to Oklahoma City only two weeks ago, the team fell short again, but showed promise in the effort. Goals from Tyler Ruthven in the 62nd minute and Charles Eloundou from a 93rd minute penalty kick, proved to not be enough as the fleet fell 3-2 at Miller Stadium. However, the Armada did create a solid attack on the night and won the shots battle, 10-7, including a dominant 8-2 second half effort and winning the possession battle in the second half (51.7-48.3 percent).

The Armada return home coming off a thrilling 3-3 draw with Puerto Rico FC last Saturday on their first visit to the island. The match, a virtual goal fest, was highlighted by exceptional strikes from Charles Eloundou, Mechack Jérôme and Alhassane Keita.

Despite an early goal from PRFC’s Joseph Marrero, the Armada were able to bounce back in the 29th minute. Cameroonian striker Charles Eloundou finished off a series of passes with a decisive equalizer. The play was highlighted by a long ball from midfielder Zach Steinberger to overlapping right back Matt Bahner on the wing was centered for Eloundou, who sent a rocket past PRFC goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg to knot the score at 1-1.

PRFC countered minutes later when Oliver Minatel at the top of the box and struck the bottom of the crossbar with his shot. The deflection caused the ball to drop straight down and carom into the back of the net.

Mechack Jérôme put his side back level in the 57th minute with another one of his trademark “Jerome Zone” kicks from distance. This time it was not a set piece however, as a corner kick by Bahner was cleared out by PRFC’s Cristiano Dias straight to Jérôme 25 yards out, who sent a rocket into the goal’s upper 90. The goal earned Jérôme the fans vote for Farah and Farah Man of the Match honors on the night. 

Dixon subbed out in the 78th minute for Alhassane Keita, which paid off in the 83rd when Keita scored the go-ahead goal. Eloundou swiped the ball from PRFC’s Chris Nurse in the attacking third and sent it over to Keita just outside of the box, who put it past Spangenberg with a curling shot to give Jacksonville a 3-2 lead.

However, the lead didn’t last long and PRFC swiftly answered in the 85th minute. Kyle Culbertson’s throw-in led Sidney Rivera to a clear look at the goal and allowed Rivera to fire a shot from the top left corner of the box into the goal, tying the contest at 3-3. Lewis held firm for his side in the closing moments, punching out a dangerous cross and cradling a looping shot all while nursing a bloody nose sustained in a previous play.

It was the first time this season the Armada earned a positive result after trailing at halftime (previous record was 0-0-8) and first draw in September in club history.

WHEN & WHERE

Saturday, Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. ET | Community First Park

Buy Tickets | Weather

THE TEAMS

Jacksonville Armada (2W-5D-7L, 11 pts., 11th NASL Fall, 3W-9D-12L, 18 pts., 11th NASL Combined)

Rayo OKC (4W-6D-5L, 18 pts., 6th NASL Fall, 7W-9D-9L, 30 pts., 8th NASL Combined)

THE COACHES

Jacksonville Armada FC– Mark Lowry, 1st season

Rayo OKC – Gerard Nus, 1st season

SERIES HISTORY

Rayo OKC leads, 2-0-0

LAST RESULT

OKC 3, Armada 2 - 9/11/16 in Yukon, Okla. | Recap | Final Stats

CLUB QUICK LINKS

Armada: News | Roster | Schedule | Season Stats
Rayo OKC: News | Roster | Schedule | Season Stats

WATCH

- CW17 in Jacksonville – Cole Pepper – PXP and Sal Rosamilia – Color

- beIN Sports Nationally – Chris Wyttingham – PXP and Thomas Rongen – Color

LISTEN

- Live on Project 106.9-FM | Stuart Webber – PXP and Jim Leib – Color

- Also streamed live on iHeart app or project1069.iheart.com

READ

- Live Twitter updates on @ArmadaFCgameday – #JAXvOKC

- Live stats on ArmadaFC.com

POTENT NOTABLES

- The Armada are 2-1-0 this season (7-1-0 all time) after leading in the 75th minute of games.

- Jacksonville has gone with 23 different lineups this season and has had the same back-to-back starting 11 just twice (June 4 at Carolina, June 11 vs. Tampa Bay; July 11 vs. Puerto Rico FC, July 14 at New York Cosmos).

- The Armada is 2-1-3 against NASL expansion clubs this season. Jacksonville defeated both Miami FC, 2-1, on April 15 and Puerto Rico FC, 2-1, on July 9 at home while falling to Rayo OKC, 1-0, at home on May 7 and Miami FC, 1-0, on the road on July 16, and drawing Puerto Rico FC 3-3 on Sept 17.

BY THE NUMBERS

15 – Goals that Armada have scored from inside the opponents 18 yards box.

41 – The number of shots taken by Charles Eloundou, which leads the team.

101 – The number of clearances for defender Tyler Ruthven, currently fourth in the NASL.

INJURY UPDATE

Goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo is still nursing a left groin injury he incurred in the 38th minute against the Carolina RailHawks on Saturday, Sept. 3. He did however train with the team this week after missing the past two matches and has shown a promising recovery.

HISPANIC HERITAGE NIGHT

It is Hispanic Heritage Night at Community First Park  commemorate the occasion, the Armada FC is offering a special $5 match ticket discount, which can be redeemed by calling 1.844.2.ARMADA or visiting armadafc.com/noche de la hispanidiad and entering promo code Hispanic2016. Prior to the match, fans are invited to join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #SomosArmadaFC.

The festivities will begin at 4:30 p.m. with the Intuition Blue and Bold Street Party presented by PRI Productions, which is free and open to the public. The party includes live music from Ritmo y Sabor, dance performances by Raices de Colombia, México en la Piel, Renacer Borincuano and River City Arts & Event Center, special giveaways from Armada FC sponsors and interactive games. Delicious food will be available from Jax Truckies food trucks Chubby Burrito, Guanabana Artisans Popsicles and Latin Soul Grill.

Throughout the match, official club maestro DJ E.L. will be playing special Latin-inspired music in the stadium.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Armada will host a midweek battle with Canadian adversary FC Edmonton at Community First Park on Wednesday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. ET.