NEW YORK – When the Jacksonville Armada FC seemed sure of taking home three points Sunday, the New York Cosmos made a surprising comeback to force a 3-3 draw at MCU Park.
Ciarán Kilduff’s effort in the first half gave Jacksonville a promising 2-0 lead.
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A trio of plays led up to the first goal in the 13th minute. Jack Blake launched a corner kick toward the front of the goal and Kalen Ryden headed it straight to Kilduff, who was able to tap it in.
Kilduff earned a brace in the 41st minute. He stole the ball away from New York’s Daniel Szetela and ran it to the goal, poking it past goalkeeper Kyle Zobeck for the second goal of the night.
New York was unable to capitalize on their opportunities and left the field trailing by two at halftime.
The second half began with back and forth action, but neither side found a goal until 20 minutes in. Zach Steinberger earned a penalty kick after going down inside the box, and Blake stepped up to the spot. He struck the ball past Zobeck for his eighth goal of the year ¬– another new franchise record for the Armada FC.
The 3-0 lead was short lived however.
Javi Márquez was first to chip away at Jacksonville’s lead. He cut the deficit by one for New York in the 79th minute after beating the Armada FC defense to the net.
Ten minutes later, Ayoze tracked down a ball in the corner to keep it in play. Then he crossed it over to Eugene Starikov who headed it in just barely over goalkeeper Caleb Patterson-Sewell’s fingers.
Just like that, the game became a one-goal thriller.
In the final minute of the match, Juan Guerra took a shot just inside the 18-yard box to curl it into the back post and equalize the score.
Although leaving New York with a disappointing draw, the Jacksonville Armada FC remains one point above the Cosmos in the Fall Season and in fourth place in the combined standings, a position for a postseason slot in the Championship.
The Armada FC will now return home for two matches at Hodges Stadium. First the team will face the Spring Champions, the Miami FC, on Sunday, Sept. 24. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. and the club will also honor First Responders at the match. Then, the rescheduled match with Indy Eleven will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 27 at 8 p.m.