The NASL Insider will travel to all eight clubs during preseason

With the preseason in full swing for all eight NASL clubs, myself (Matthew Levine) – the NASL Insider – and the league’s video production specialist (George Giosi) kicked off a 16-day, eight-city trip in Jacksonville. The goal? To give fans an inside look at each club's preparation for the upcoming season, as well as dive into the stories of the players and coaches who make the league what it is today.

NASL.com and the league's accounts on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook will feature a host of content - videos, photos, and stories - as the trip rolls on. Stay tuned!

Clubs have begun their #MarchToNovember and we're getting a behind-the-scenes look into their prep. The #NASL Preseason Tour starts today. pic.twitter.com/fMD6KpgCvK — NASL (@naslofficial) February 27, 2017

British Invasion In North Florida

At the Armada FC, there’s a growing contingent of members with connections to England, from the technical staff – Nathan Walter and Mark Lowry – to the players. During the first day of the trip, we spent time with three of those players – Danny Barrow, Jemal Johnson, and Jack Blake.

While Blake has only just gotten to Jacksonville, it’s clear that there is already a bond between him and the returning pair to the Armada FC. Those connections should bring out an even closer-knit team on the field once the season gets underway, especially with all three having the ability to play through the middle.

Johnson, who has been with Jacksonville since the club’s inaugural season in 2015, will be tasked with guiding the younger Blake and Barrow – as well as the club’s other young talent.

On Location

With the Armada FC having an off day from training to kick start the week, we met up with all three players for interviews at the club’s office. From there, it was an afternoon spent taking in some sights in the city, as well as showing some skills with the ball at each stop. The players discussed their favorite parts of the city – if you guessed the beach, you’d be correct – as well as how they are hoping to reward the undying support of Section 904 and the club’s other supporters in the upcoming year.