JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Coming off a thrilling victory, the Jacksonville Armada FC looks to carry the success found Saturday in Indianapolis to New York on Sunday.
Jacksonville came away with three points in a road matchup with Indy Eleven on Saturday. Jack Blake provided three goals in the 3-2 victory for the Armada FC, the first hat trick in club history. His first goal came from an assist by Bryam Rebellón to put Jacksonville on the board first. Blake then notched a goal from a free kick to double the lead before halftime. His third goal came off another free kick in the 62nd minute. Indy Eleven was quick to answer in the second half, putting up two goals of their own, but it was not enough for a comeback.
The New York Cosmos grabbed one point in North Carolina Saturday. After a scoreless first half, North Carolina FC was the first to take the lead just one minute into the second half. New York was able to equalize in the 59th minute when Andrés Flores netted a shot from inside the penalty area. Eugene Starikov stole the ball at the top of the box and drove in a 71st minute goal to put New York up by 2-1. North Carolina found the second equalizer of the match in the 90th minute though, to make the final score 2-2.
The previous two meetings with the Cosmos this year ended in a 1-1 draw for Jacksonville. The most recent meeting was May 6 in Jacksonville when fans witnessed a stunning volley by Zach Steinberger in the 95th minute. His late-game heroics saved the Armada FC from a loss, and the club was able to grab one point and remain undefeated six games into the Spring Season.
New York now sits just one point above Jacksonville in the Fall Season and combined standings. A win Sunday would leapfrog the Armada FC ahead of the Cosmos. New York has always proved to be a tough place for Jacksonville though, who has a record of 3L-2D-0W in New York.