JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Armada hadn't lost a match all year. Not in the regular season, nor the preseason. But with just over a minute into stoppage time, it appeared that their run was coming to an end.
That's when Zach Steinberger turned in one of the most impressive goals in Armada history. Four minutes into stoppage time, Steinberger one-timed a scissor kick from mid-air into the side netting to give the Armada a 1-1 draw against the two-time defending North American Soccer League champion New York Cosmos.
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The draw, the fourth straight for the Armada, kept them unbeaten (2W–4D–0L) but for the first time this year, Jacksonville fell out of first place because Miami FC scored a stoppage time goal of their own to beat Puerto Rico FC and surpass Jacksonville in the standings.
The Armada were the better team most of the night, controlling possession over 63% of the time against the usually possession minded Cosmos. But New York took the first half lead, on a 24th minute free kick goal by Javi Marquez.
"The intensity that our guys shows, the quality that out guys showed…the goal just eluded us," said Armada head coach Mark Lowry.
Then Steinberger delivered. The Armada had chances earlier in the match, including a Mechack Jerome blast on the second option off a corner kick that went just over the bar and another Jerome free kick that brushed the outside of the post in the second half. The chances were there, but it wasn't until Steinberger put home the game-tying goal off of a Jemal Johnson assist that Jacksonville found the net.
If the Armada are going to continue to contend for the Spring Season title, they will have to pick up some wins. Now trailing in the standings for the first time, despite the unbeaten record, Jacksonville would benefit from three points in one of their next two away matches.
"We have to start turning these performances into victories." Lowry said.
The Armada go on the road for the next two weeks, playing at North Carolina FC and at the San Francisco Deltas before returning home to Hodges Stadium on May 28 to face North Carolina FC.