USOC PREVIEW – Armada FC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

photo by Eldy Mendez

Michael Card, ArmadaFC.com  

WHEN & WHERE

Wednesday, May 16 at 7 p.m. ET | Southern Oak Stadium (Jacksonville University)

TICKETS – $10 ONLINE

MORE INFO FOR FANS

STREAM

USSoccer.com

LIVE UPDATES

Twitter.com/JaxArmadaFC – #JAXvTBR

THE TEAMS

Jacksonville Armada FC (1W-1D-0L, 4 pts., 2nd NPSL Sunshine Conference)

Tampa Bay Rowdies (4W-0D-5L, 12 pts., 7th USL Group A)

CLUB QUICK LINKS

Tampa Bay Rowdies:  News | Roster | Schedule

Jacksonville Armada FC: News | Roster | Schedule 

SERIES HISTORY

3W-2D-2D in favor of the Armada FC, including a preseason matchup on March 11, 2017 in Jacksonville – RECAP

LAST ARMADA RESULT

Armada FC 2, Boca Raton FC 1 – 5/12/18 RECAP

ARMADA’S WEEK OF WINS

Armada FC looks to continue its winning momentum Wednesday night against the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the Second Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Southern Oak Stadium on the campus of Jacksonville University. 

Last week, the Armada FC won the U.S. Open Cup Play-In Round 2-1 against The Villages FC on May 6, and then the First Round match 2-0 against SIMA Aguilas Wednesday. Jacksonville built on its Open Cup success with a 2-1 NPSL victory on the road against Boca Raton FC Saturday.

FAMILIAR FOES

The opponents used to play together in the NASL. Wednesday’s game will be the clubs’ second matchup since the Rowdies joined the United Soccer League (USL) in the 2017 season. The last match resulted in a 1-0 victory for the Armada FC during the preseason on Mar. 3, 2017. 

ROWDIES’ OPEN CUP HISTORY

The Armada FC U-23 team lost 3-0 to the Rowdies in the Second Round of last year’s U.S. Open Cup on May 16, 2017. The Rowdies were then defeated 2-0 in the Third Round by Miami FC. The Rowdies’ best Open Cup finishes came in 2013 and 2016, when they advanced to the Fourth Round. They were defeated 2-0 by the Portland Timbers in 2013, and 4-0 by the Columbus Crew in 2016.

ROWDIES LOOKING FOR A WIN

The Rowdies have dropped their last three games, with their last win coming April 21 in a 2-0 fashion against the Real Monarchs. During the three-game stretch, the Rowdies have failed to score and have given up five goals.

A FAMILIAR FACE

Wednesday’s game will also be a reunion for Rowdies midfielder Jack Blake, who played for the Armada FC last year. Blake tallied 2,223 minutes in 27 appearances for the Armada FC last season, and finished sixth in the NASL with nine goals scored.

LOOKING AHEAD

The winner of Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup Second Round match will go on to play either Miami FC 2 or Miami United FC on May 23. Jacksonville’s next NPSL game will be on the road against Miami United FC May 27.