News

PREVIEW | Armada FC Hosts In-State Rival Miami FC Sunday

Jacksonville is searching for its first win this year against the second-place club
Aug 19, 2017

WHEN & WHERE

Sunday, August 20 at 6:00 p.m. EST | Hodges Stadium (University of North Florida)

 

CLUB QUICK LINKS

Jacksonville Armada FC: News | Roster | Schedule

Miami FC: News | Roster | Schedule

 

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After finishing the mid-week match against Puerto Rico FC, the Jacksonville Armada FC (0W-2D-2L, 2pts, 8th NASL Fall Season) is looking to claim its first win of the season against the Spring Season Champion, the Miami FC (2W-0D-2L, 6 pts, 2nd NASL Fall Season).

Once again, the Armada FC just couldn’t catch the breaks it needed to beat Puerto Rico FC. On Wednesday night, the teams squared off for the final time this year. The first half was mostly calm, until late in the frame when Giuseppe Gentile got past two Armada FC defenders and forced Caleb Patterson-Sewell to come up with a huge stop.

Early in the second half, Conor Doyle was able to deflect his shot off Kevan George and over the head of Patterson-Sewell to give the Caribbean side a pivotal lead. Minutes later, Jacksonville was awarded a free kick, and newly-acquired forward Tony Taylor was up for the task. In the 60th minute, Taylor struck a laser to the top right corner to the tie the match. After the momentous goal, it appeared that the match was changing in favor of the Armada FC. However, Giuseppe Gentile would not be denied again. In the 73rd minute, Gentile hit a quick strike outside of the box that beat Patterson-Sewell in the left corner.

Miami FC is hoping to have found its stride after starting the Fall Season with two NASL losses and a loss to FC Cincinnati in the U.S. Open Cup. The club is now coming off two important victories though, the last against North Carolina FC on the road that moved them to second place.

The South Florida squad was on the defensive early in the match as North Carolina FC nearly scored on a dangerous header from forward Billy Schuler. Just one minute later, Nazmi Albadawi sprinted up the field and Miami FC keeper Daniel Vega was forced to make a diving save. It wouldn’t take Miami FC long to find the back of the net, however. In just the 15th minute, Jaime Chavez beat NCFC goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre on the far side to put his club up 1-0. The rest of the match was a defensive duel and Miami FC was able to leave North Carolina with a maximum three points.

Jacksonville is looking for a better fate against Miami FC on Sunday after losing the previous two matches this season. It’s an important match for the Armada FC, as it really needs three points to climb the Fall table.

Tune in Sunday, August 20 at 6 p.m. EST as the Armada FC looks to take down its in-state rival at Hodges Stadium. Fans can watch the match on CW17 (WCWJ), CW18 as well as ESPN3. Radio broadcasts will be available on Planet FM 97.3 and Rumba 106.9

 

SERIES HISTORY

Miami FC leads 3-0-2

 

LAST RESULT

Miami FC 4, Armada FC 0 – 6/17/17 | RECAP

 

POTENT NOTABLES

  • Miami is looking for its third-straight win over the Armada FC
  • Tony Taylor has scored in the past two matches for Jacksonville
  • Miami has an explosive offense, registering 105 shots on target, the league lead
  • Jacksonville has been strong defensively, including six clean sheets this year
  • Jacksonville’s 2-1 defeat to Puerto Rico Wednesday marked the first time in 2017 that they had conceded multiple goals at home in league play, the last NASL team to do so.
  • Jacksonville has not lost back-to-back home matches in league play since May 4-8, 2016 (a span of 23 home games).

 

 

BY THE NUMBERS

11 – Goals by Miami’s Stefano Pinho this season, the league lead

18 – Goals conceded by the Miami this year, lowest in the league

22 – Goals conceded by Jacksonville, tied for second in the league

40 – The total number of goals scored by Miami FC this year, the league lead

99 – The number of clearances this year by Mechack Jérôme, the league lead

 

LOOKING AHEAD

Jacksonville heads back on the road to face Indy Eleven on Saturday, August 26 at 7:30 p.m. EST. Fans can catch the action on CW17, ESPN3 or listen on Planet FM 97.3 and Rumba FM 106.9.