PREVIEW | Armada Set to Host League Leading New York Cosmos In Only Second Meeting at Community First Park

Armada FC Communications | Oct. 14, 2016 

The Jacksonville Armada FC continue into the second of a three match home stretch when they host the league-leading New York Cosmos Saturday at 7 p.m. at Community First Park. The meeting is the third and final of the 2016 NASL season and the sixth meeting of all time between the two clubs.

With end of the fall season rapidly approaching, the Armada will be looking to ride its five-match unbeaten streak and a club record third consecutive shutout into a defeat over an opponent they have yet to score against this year.

Jacksonville has not beaten New York in three straight contests, all of which being held in Long Island at Shuart Stadium. However, the Cosmos remain winless at Community First Park following their 1-0 defeat last July in their only visit to Northeast Florida. 

The Armada return to Community First Park coming off a scoreless draw with NASL Spring champions Indy Eleven, in a match that was rescheduled due to Hurricane Matthew. Armada FC held the league’s second-leading scorer, Eamon Zayed, to zero shots on 17 touches, an impressive follow-up to their win at Minnesota United FC, who they did not allow a single shot on goal.

Heading into his second match without the interim tag, head coach Mark Lowry has led the club to eight points in 10 matches.

New York arrives Jacksonville following a 1-1 draw with the Ottawa Fury on Sunday, Oct. 9. The Cosmos currently sit in first place in both the fall (38 pts.) and combined standings (56 pts.). New York has clinched a spot in postseason play and are poised to make another run at the NASL Championship for a second straight season. 

Below is a breakdown of the teams and the matchup.

WHEN & WHERE
Saturday, Oct. 15 at 7:00 p.m. ET | Community First Park at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville
Buy Tickets | Weather

THE TEAMS
Jacksonville Armada FC (3W-8D-7L, 17 pts., 12th NASL Fall, 4W-12D-12L, 24 pts., 11th NASL Combined)​
New York Cosmos (11W-5D-3L, 38 pts., 1st NASL Fall, 17W-5D-7L, 56 pts., 1st NASL Combined)

THE COACHES
Jacksonville Armada FC – Mark Lowry, 1st season
New York Cosmos – Giovanni Savarese, 4th season

SERIES HISTORY
New York leads, 3-1-1

LAST RESULT
Cosmos 3, Armada FC 0 - 7/13/16 in Hempstead, N.Y. | Recap 

CLUB QUICK LINKS
Armada FC: News | Roster | Schedule | Season Stats
Cosmos: News | Roster | Schedule | Season Stats

WATCH
- Live on Project 106.9-FM in Jacksonville | Cole Pepper – PXP and Andy Kidd – Color
- One World Sports
- ESPN3

LISTEN
- Sports Radio 930-AM in Jacksonville | Stuart Webber - PXP and Matt Hollyoak - color
- Also streamed live on sportsradiojax.iheart.com

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

POTENT NOTABLES

- New York has managed to hold Armada scoreless this season and has overtaken Jacksonville by a combined score of 5-0 in 2016.

- Under Mark Lowry, the Armada has gone 2W-6D-2L in ten games and is now on a five-game unbeaten streak, and are on a club first three-match shutout streak and recorded the first two away victories in club history since taking over on Aug. 7.

- Armada goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo recorded his third straight clean sheet a personal best while playing in Jacksonville.

- Armada is will play their 22nd regular season NASL match at Community First Park at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville Saturday evening.

BY THE NUMBERS

16 – The number of shots allowed by the Armada have allowed on net in the past five matches.

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

324 – The total number of shots from the Armada this season.

MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT

The Armada FC is hosting Military Appreciation Night Saturday evening at Community First Park. The club has been active in the Northeast Florida military community with multiple visits from players to bases in the area and frequently honoring veterans at matches. The Armada FC brand incorporates the rich military heritage in the region from the club logo to even the matchday experience.

Rear Admiral Sean Buck, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, Captain Wyatt Chidester of the United States Navy Fourth Fleet Chief of Staff, and Command Master Chief, Johannes Gonzalez will be on field for the coin toss prior to kickoff.

Petty Officer First Class Marlene Ciesielski with the HSM-48 stationed on board Naval Station Mayport will sing the National Anthem as the Armada solutes our nation’s brave service men and women.

LOOKING AHEAD

Up next, the Armada heads into its final of three matches in seven days at home when it faces coastal cup rivals Miami FC at Community First Park on Wednesday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. ET.