First Preseason Exhibition Features Old and New Faces

The Jacksonville Armada FC played to a 1-0 loss to the Montverde Academy Eagles Thursday night after a controversial penalty kick in the final minutes of the match.

The match was the first of the Armada FC’s preseason and took place on the road at Montverde Academy in Montverde, Fla.

Newly signed players Conor Doyle and Yuma made their Armada FC debut in the first half alongside returning the returning players of Kalen Ryden, J.C. Banks, Ciarán Kilduff, and Derek Gebhard. Trialists filled the gaps on the field.

"It’s no secret we have had to move very quickly to put this group of players together under challenging circumstances," said heach coach Mark Lowry. "However, the quality on display tonight, and the understanding of our system and how we play, after less than 10 days together was extremely pleasing."

Jacksonville saw several great opportunities, but Montverde was able to fight back every time. Yuma took the first shot on target twenty minutes into the game after Gebhard pressed deep with the ball, but it found the hands of Montverde’s goalkeeper to keep the match scoreless.

The Eagles also applied pressure offensively to gain sight of the goal, but every chance went over the net in the first half.

The second half saw a slew of substitutions as Lowry allowed trialists playing time on the field. The teams seemed sure to settle with a scoreless draw until a Montverde player went down in the box and converted the subsequent penalty kick.

"This is our first game together, and it’s essentially a new group. We dominated possession and created numerous good chances. With time, sharpness and a bit more match fitness in the legs, those chances get put away. All in all, I couldn’t be happier with what we produced tonight," said Lowry.