ARMADA DROP THREE POINTS IN NOLA

NEW ORLEANS, LA - Saturday evening Jacksonville Armada FC U-23 made the journey to New Orleans, Louisiana to face off against the New Orleans Jesters. This was the first meeting between the clubs since the 2022 National Premier Soccer League season.

From the first whistle, the Armada played a high defensive line and pressed the New Orleans’ defenders. In the 16th minute, a Jester forward was fouled and awarded a free kick. The shot from the free kick found the back of the net and put New Orleans ahead 1-0.

It did not take long for Jacksonville to respond with a goal of their own. In the 20th minute Angus Taylor fired a shot off the post and the rebound fell to the feet of Giancarlo Vaccaro. Vaccaro took a touch before tucking the ball past the goalkeeper to level the game at 1-1, and score his second goal in two appearances this season. At half time the match was all even at one goal a piece.

Right off the bat in the second half of the game, Jacksonville continued to push to find the goal that would put them in the lead. Both teams made multiple second half substitutions to get fresh legs onto the pitch to keep up with the competitive play of the game.

In the 77th minute, a handball foul was called in the box against Jacksonville, and the subsequent penalty kick was scored by the Jesters putting them ahead 2-1. The Armada would create multiple chances before the 90 minutes was over, but could not find the equalizer. At full time the final score was New Orleans Jesters two, Jacksonville Armada FC U-23 one.

After the match Head Coach Tommy Krizanovic had this to say about his team’s performance, “We know very well where our deficiencies are. We are going to take in the information, process the information, we are not going to receive this as failure. There were a lot of good things we have done tonight, in regards to the game model, in regards to how we want to play, in regards to taking chances. But we take the information, process it, and turn it into success.”

This is Armada’s first loss of the 2023 season, but the squad will have their chance at revenge when New Orleans comes to Jacksonville June 28th. The Jacksonville Armada’s next game takes place at home Wednesday June 14th, at UNF Hodges Stadium as they take on in-state rivals Tallahassee SC. Tickets are FREE and available reservation on Eventbrite.com.