JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After not meeting expectations this spring, Tony Meola promised that there would be changes to the Armada FC lineup. Against Puerto Rico FC, Meola started Alex Dixon at center forward (he’s usually a midfielder or winger) and it was a move that produced instant results.
“It’s something we talked about before,” said Dixon who had a goal and an assist during Saturday’s win. “Coach just wanted me to make runs from behind and be dangerous. He wanted me to be the link between the midfield and the attack and I was excited to get the call. I was excited to get the goal and the assist.”
Through two games in the fall season the Armada already have more than half of their point total from the spring season (seven). All of the players know that their number can be called at any time, including Sean Lewis who has started the last two games in goal.
“Any time you get new players in the lineup there’s going to be an adjustment period. You train together and you just focus on getting to know each other’s habits and how to cover each other.”
This week the Armada will have two games in the span of four days (Wednesday at NY Cosmos and Saturday at Miami FC).
“On a week like this we’ll have to rotate the squad to keep everybody healthy and fresh,” said Armada defender Tyler Ruthven. “I’m sure you’ll see some changes in the lineup this week from the manager and that’s where the new signings really come in. We’ll be able to show some depth.”
The Armada’s current five game unbeaten streak is the longest in team history. They can accomplish two more things with a win Wednesday night in New York. It would be the first road win for the franchise and they would own the top of the NASL table.