PREVIEW – Armada FC vs. Miami United FC

Michael Card, ArmadaFC.com

WHEN & WHERE

Saturday, June 23 at 7:30 p.m. ET | Hodges Stadium (University of North Florida)

TICKETS STARTING AT $15 ONLINE 

WATCH

JacksonvilleArmada.com/Watch

LIVE UPDATES

Twitter.com/JaxArmadaFC – #JAXvMUFC

THE TEAMS

Miami United FC (5W-4D-1L, 19 pts, 3rd NPSL Sunshine Conference in pts/game)

Jacksonville Armada FC (4W-2D-1L, 14 pts, 1st NPSL Sunshine Conference in pts/game)

CLUB QUICK LINKS

Jacksonville Armada FC: News | Roster | Schedule 

Miami United FC: News | Roster | Schedule

SERIES HISTORY

1W-1D-1L – Including two U.S. Open Cup Matches

LAST NPSL RESULT

Boca Raton FC 0 Jacksonville Armada 7 – RECAP

THIRD TIME’S A CHARM

The Armada FC will try to pick up its first win against Miami United FC in the clubs third match against one another this season. Jacksonville lost to Miami 2-0 on May 23 in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, and tied 1-1 on June 14 in Miami. The Armada FC has only scored one goal in the previous two meetings with Miami, and will need to capitalize on its offensive opportunities to secure a win Saturday.

SUNDAY SHUTOUTS

Both the Armada FC and Miami United FC are coming off shutout victories, and are trying to bring that momentum into Saturday’s match. Miami shut out Storm FC 3-0 at home Sunday, and Jacksonville scored a club-record seven goals against Boca Raton FC in a shutout of its own Sunday.

GETTING PHYSICAL

The last match between the two clubs on June 14 exposed plenty of frustration from both sides. A total of ten cards were handed out, with two of them being an ejection from each side. Miami has been given six red cards this year and have finished four of its ten games with less than 11 men on the field. Jacksonville’s only red card of the year went to Michael Melvin in the Armada FC’s last match against Miami United. The Armada FC will need to stay disciplined heading into the final stretch of the season to make the playoffs.

PLAYOFFS LOOMING

Jacksonville is currently tied for first place in the NPSL Sunshine Conference with an average of two points per game. With only five games left, the Armada FC will try to remain in the top three spots for a chance to compete in the conference playoffs, which begin July 11.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

CIARÁN KILDUFF

Armada FC forward Ciarán Kilduff has scored a goal in each of the last three matches for Jacksonville.  Kilduff has three NPSL goals this season, and also scored the first goal of the 105th Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against the Villages SC on May 6. In addition to scoring goals, he is also an all-around playmaker. On June 6 Killduff assisted Derek Gebhard’s game winning goal against Miami FC 2. Jacksonville will need Kilduff at the top of his game as the team gets closer to the playoffs.

VICTOR PELAE

Miami United FC forward Victor Pelae single-handedly shutout the Storm FC with a hat trick in the team’s 3-0 victory Sunday. The 25-year-old Brazilian joined the team in April, and has scored five goals for the club this season. The Armada FC defense will have to play tight on the Miami forward to keep him from having another game like he did Sunday.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Armada FC will host Palm Beach United Wednesday for its second-to-last home match of the regular season. This will be the second meeting between the two teams. Jacksonville lost to Palm Beach 4-2 on the road June 9, which snapped its four-game NPSL unbeaten streak and handed the Armada FC its first loss in the league.