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Armada Falls to Miami FC in South Florida

October 2, 2017 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Jacksonville Armada FC News Release


Armada Falls to Miami FC in South Florida
Armada Falls to Miami FC in South Florida
(Jacksonville Armada FC)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Jacksonville Armada FC fell 1-0 to the league-leading Miami FC in South Florida on Sunday night. Although falling one place in the overall standings, Jacksonville is only trailing two points from a potential playoff position.

"I thought the players played very well today. I honestly think in all three games this week we have been the better team," head coach Mark Lowry said.

"We are obviously very disappointed not to collect more points, but the performances lately show that this club is moving in the right direction and has a very bright future ahead."

October, the last month of the NASL Fall Season, opened up at Riccardo Silva Stadium with Jacksonville getting their first look at the goal. Tony Taylor found an early opportunity in the second minute of play and fired a shot but it was a little too high.

Miami then found their first opportunity in the 11th minute with a free kick by former Armada FC player, Richie Ryan. It found its way through the defenders to bounce off the woodwork straight into the hands of goalkeeper Caleb Patterson-Sewell.

It did not take long for Miami to try again though, and succeed. Jaime Chávez tapped a ball toward Stéfano Pinho, who was able to head it in and put Miami on the board.

Patterson-Sewell had great saves later in the first half to keep Miami from extending their lead. Kwadwo Poku sent a laser from outside the box and Patterson-Sewell knocked it away. He was there again to save the rebound shot by Dylan Mares, but the play by Mares was called offsides.

Taylor found another opportunity in the 44th minute for the Armada FC. He connected with a ball from Ciarán Kilduff and blasted a shot from outside the 18-yard box, but Daniel Vega saved it in the middle of the goal.

Taylor's effort could not get Jacksonville on the board and the teams left the field for halftime with Miami leading 1-0.

Mares was first with effort for Miami in the second half. He broke away from the pack in the midfield in the 53rd minute and took a shot on goal, but Patterson-Sewell was again there to knock it away.

Jacksonville had a sequence in the 64th minute to almost record a goal. Taylor and Jack Blake connected on the right wing before finding Aaron Pitchkolan and Kalen Ryden in front of the goal. Ryden played the ball to Jemal Johnson who powered it toward the net. Kilduff had the last tap to try to tuck it away, but Vega made a diving save to knock it out of play.

Zach Steinberger then tried his chance at the goal in the 81st minute. After receiving the ball from Ryden, he fired his shot toward the net but it was saved by Vega.

Miami tried once more in a late-match effort to score one more goal. Chavez found some space to run down the field ahead of Ryden to force Patterson-Sewell to get ready for a one-on-one, but his subsequent chip at the goal went wide.

The match ended and Miami took the three points.

"The three games in seven days has stretched the roster to its limits," said Lowry. "At this stage of the season, with a very small roster, it has been a physically challenging week. But rest assured, we will be ready for Edmonton on Friday."

Jacksonville continues its short stint on the road with a trip up north. A matchup with FC Edmonton is scheduled for Friday at 9 p.m. ET and fans can catch the action on CW17 in Jacksonville.

MATCH REPORT

STARTING XI:

MIA (4-3-1-2): Vega, Lambrughi (Freeman 78'), Trafford, Bernstein, Palmer, Mares, Ryan (Smith 53'), Lahoud, Poku (Martî - nez 66'), Chávez, Pinho

JAX (4-4-2): Patterson-Sewell, Beckie (Banks 85'), Jérî-me, Pitchkolan, Ryden, Steinberger, George, Maripuu (Blake 56'), Johnson, Taylor (Gebhard 69'), Kilduff

SCORING SUMMARY:

MIA: Pinho 20'

DISCIPLINE:

JAX: Steinberger 31'

JAX: George 49'

JAX: Blake 64'

MIA: Palmer 83'

ATTENDANCE:

4,011




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Armada Falls to Miami FC in South Florida
Armada Falls to Miami FC in South Florida

  

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