PLAYOFF PREVIEW – Armada FC vs. Miami United FC

Michael Card, ArmadaFC.com

The Jacksonville Armada FC hosts first-ever playoff match Wednesday in the NPSL Sunshine Conference Semifinals at Hodges Stadium. With a win over No. 3 seed Miami United FC, the Armada FC would advance on to the Conference Finals Saturday.

WHEN & WHERE

Wednesday, July 11 at 7 p.m. ET | Hodges Stadium at University of North Florida

LIVE UPDATES

Twitter.com/JaxArmadaFC  – #JAXvNUFC

TICKETS

Starting at $15 -- ONLINE

WATCH

Broadcast – WJXT Ch. 4 in Jacksonville

Live Stream – JacksonvilleArmada.com/Watch

THE TEAMS

Jacksonville Armada FC (7W-3D-2L, 24 pts., 2nd NPSL Sunshine Conference)

Miami United FC (6W-1D-5L, 23 pts., 3rd NPSL Sunshine Conference)

CLUB QUICK LINKS

Jacksonville Armada FC: News | Roster | Schedule

Miami United FC: News | Roster | Schedule

SERIES HISTORY

1W-2D-1L – Including two U.S. Open Cup matches

LAST ARMADA RESULT

Armada FC 2, Naples United FC 0 RECAP

FIRST PLAYOFFS IN JAX

The Armada FC will face Miami United FC for the fourth time this year with more on the line than any of the previous matches. The winner of Wednesday night’s match will earn the opportunity to compete for the NPSL Sunshine Conference title against Miami FC 2 Saturday in Miami.

Making the playoffs for the first time in club history is not only significant for the Armada FC, but also for the entire city of Jacksonville and its soccer community. Jacksonville has not had a professional soccer team make the playoffs since the Tea Men in its first season in 1981.

LAST ARMADA RESULT

The Armada FC closed the regular season on a strong note at Hodges Stadium Saturday night against Naples United FC. Jacksonville defeated Naples 2-0 and clinched the No. 2 seed in the NPSL Sunshine Conference Playoffs.

The two teams were deadlocked at 0-0 throughout the first half until Armada FC defender Mechack Jérôme scored on a free kick in extra time.

The Armada FC carried the momentum from Jérôme’s goal into the second half and tallied an insurance goal in the 73rd minute to make the score 2-0. The goal came from Alhassane Keita, who was subbed into the match only three minutes prior.

A FAMILIAR FOE

Jacksonville and Miami tied each other in its two NPSL matchups this season, and Miami beat the Armada FC 2-0 in the Third Round of the U.S. Open Cup on May 23.

The two teams last faced each other on June 23 at Hodges Stadium and both teams came out with a defensive mindset. The Armada FC out-shot Miami 17-9, but Miami’s defense kept them from creating any chances good enough to produce a goal. The match ended 0-0.

Although the teams have tied in their last two meetings, one of them will walk away as the winner Wednesday. If the match is tied after 90 minutes of play, there will be two 15 minute overtime periods. If there is still a tie after the overtimes, the teams will go to a five-goal shoot out.

A LOOK AT THE OPPONENT

Miami United FC’s last match was a 2-1 victory on the road against Palm Beach United on June 30. Miami was down 1-0 early in the match, but scored two unanswered goals to win its last game of the season and secure a spot in the conference playoffs.

Miami’s last playoff appearance was in 2016 when the team lost in penalty kicks to Chattanooga FC in the NPSL Regional Final on July 23. During that year, Miami finished the season with a 9W-1L-0D record and was the only team to qualify for the playoffs from the Sunshine Conference.

LOOKING AHEAD

If the Armada FC wins Wednesday, the team will face Miami FC 2 on the road Saturday for the Sunshine Conference Final. Miami FC 2 finished first in the conference with an 8W-3D-1L record. The team’s only blemish was a 1-0 defeat to the Armada FC on June 6 at Hodges Stadium.

For a detailed look at the possible playoff scenarios, visit JacksonvilleArmada.com/News.