JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It was fitting that three days before Independence Day, as the Armada celebrated military appreciation day, that the sun of two Navy personnel would lead the team to victory.
Forward Derek Gebhard, whose father is still enlisted in the Navy, and whose mother is retired, scored his third goal of the season in the 79th minute to help Jacksonville to a 1–0 victory over FC Edmonton.
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Gebhard set the goal up himself when he won a free kick on a run out. Mechack Jerome took the free kick, then Kalen Ryden redirected it back to Gebhard who was running to the near post. Gebhard subtley redirected the ball past Edmonton goalkeeper Nathan Ingham.
It was the third win for the Armada in three tries against the team from Canada, all coming by identical 1-0 scores. The win also helped the Armada keep their hopes alive for the spring season championship. Jacksonville stands in third place in the NAL standings, trailing league leaders Miami FC and second place San Francisco Deltas.
The match was delayed over 90 minutes after a pregame thunderstorm brought lightning to the area. Jacksonville had not played for two weeks because last Sunday's match against Puerto Rico FC was postponed to Monday due to lightning. Then Monday, heavy rains made the field unplayable. Jacksonville has three more games remaining in the spring season including one more at home, July 12 when the match against Puerto Rico is scheduled to be made up.