BAYAMON, Puerto Rico – The Jacksonville Armada FC traveled to the Caribbean to take on Puerto Rico FC Saturday night for the first road trip of the Fall Season and the first trip under the new ownership. Puerto Rico took the 1-0 victory after a difficult 90 minutes for Jacksonville.
After a four-game winless streak, the Armada FC was eager to earn three points. Head coach Mark Lowry boasted some changes in his starting lineup to show that eagerness. New forwards Brian Shriver and Tony Taylor received their first starts with the team, as well as defender Peabo Doue.
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The Armada FC held 50 percent of the possession in the first half, but Puerto Rico was able to set itself up for opportunities and recorded ten shots.
Jacksonville answered Puerto Rico’s offensive effort with tough defense however. Mechack Jérôme cleared out four chances, with Caleb Patterson-Sewell staying firm in front of the goal.
Puerto Rico’s effort was rewarded late in the first half. In the 43rd minute, Conor Doyle received a cross from Giuseppe Gentile to put the ball past Patterson-Sewell and Puerto Rico took the lead.
The Armada FC left the field at halftime trailing by one.
Jacksonville returned in the second half showing some speed, but Puerto Rico continued to fire shots toward Patterson-Sewell.
Second half substitutions by the Armada FC brought renewed strength to the team on the hot and humid Puerto Rico pitch.
Charles Eloundou was subbed in the 61st minute to give the Armada FC much-needed speed. He used it to motor up and around Puerto Rico’s defense and created a great chance in the 75th minute. He took a shot from distance after receiving the ball from Steinberger but Puerto Rico’s goalkeeper, Trevor Spangenberg, launched upward to knock it up and over the net.
Peabo Doue received his second yellow card in the 85th minute and was ejected from the match. Although now only having 10 men, the Armada FC kept consistent defense to keep Puerto Rico from tallying another goal.
Jérôme showed some late-match heroics with his effort just two minutes after Doue left the field. He launched a free kick straight toward the net but it bounced off the crossbar and goalpost to keep Puerto Rico in the lead.
Jacksonville could not find the net before the final whistle, so Puerto Rico took all three points at home. This marks the first loss of the Fall Season for the Armada FC.
The club will now continue its stint on the road in North Carolina next Saturday. Kickoff against North Carolina FC is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Wakemed Soccer Park. The match will air on CW17