Armada FC Public Relations | July 11, 2015

Final Stats

ATLANTA, Ga. – The Jacksonville Armada FC came up short 1-0 to the Atlanta Silverbacks in an end-to-end thriller on Saturday evening at Silverbacks Park.

Despite the Armada (0W-0D-2L NASL Fall, 3W-3D-6L Combined) holding what looked to be a momentum advantage through the entire first half and the first part of the second, Atlanta (1W-0D-1L NASL Fall, 2W-5D-5L Combined) found the back of the net first in the 60th minute on a long strike from Silverbacks midfielder Michael Reed with an assist from Jaime Chávez.

The Armada seemingly knotted the contest in the 80th minute when an Alhassane Keita cross deflected off forward Tommy Krizanovic, but the goal was waived off after a handball foul was called.

Jacksonville held a strong possession advantage for much of the game and created numerous scoring opportunities. The Armada had 12 shots to Atlanta’s seven.

Midfielder Jamie Castrillón notched the first opportunity of the evening in the 11th minute when his shot went just wide. Forward Alhassane Keita followed in the 17th minute, while Bochy Hoyos and Matt Bahner also had attempts in the 18th and 20th minutes. Hoyos’ shot went just over the crossbar, giving Atlanta goalkeeper CJ Cochran a tough test. Defender Joseph Toby, who subbed in for Bahner in the 64th minute, launched a strike from far out of the box that barely scraped Cochran’s fingertips and over the crossbar.

“I think we created almost all of our chances and we are getting back to our game,” said defender Matt Bahner. “That is what we do; we attack and go at them. Sooner or later, one of those chances will fall for us.”

He added: “I think we put everything out there 120 percent. That is what (head coach Guillermo Hoyos) asks for. Sometimes the game is cruel, and it doesn’t work out your way. If we continue to do that, then things are going to start falling into place.”

Jacksonville also had a solid performance in the back, highlighted by Lucas Trejo taking on two Atlanta forwards in a two-on-one push and shutting down the Silverbacks’ clear scoring opportunity pressure in the 80th minute.

“Regardless of the score, the one thing that we do well is our camaraderie,” Krizanovic said. “There is a unity on the team. Everyone is fighting for one another, and you can see that on the field. Whether they are on the side, on the bench or warming up, everyone is in it. At the end of the day, all we can do is remain positive and keep looking for a result.

The Armada FC will return to action at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday to take on Minnesota United FC at NSC Stadium in Blaine, Minn.

Match Report:

Starting XI:

Atlanta Silverbacks: Head Coach - Gary Smith

(3-5-2) CJ Cochran, Paul Black, Simon Mensing (C), Rauwshan McKenzie, Kyle Porter, Michal Mravec (88’ - Oppong), Michael Reed, Josh Hughes, Kosuke Kimura, Jaime Chavez (83’ - Horth), Shaka Bangura (54’ - Mendes)

Jacksonville Armada FC: Head Coach - Guillermo Hoyos

(4-3-3) Miguel Gallardo, Shawn Nicklaw (86’ - Hrustic), Lucas Trejo, Fabricio Ortiz, Matt Bahner (64’ - Toby), Lucas Scaglia, Bochy Hoyos (63’ - Krizanovic), Jaime Castrillon, Jemal Johnson, Marcos Flores, Alhassane Keita (C)

Scoring Summary:

60’ - ATL: Michael Reed (Chavez)

Caution Summary:

49’ - JAX: Shawn Nicklaw (Caution)

76’ - ATL: Simon Mensing (Caution)

78’ - ATL: Paul Black (Caution)

80’ - JAX: Marcos Flores (Caution)

82’ - ATL: Michal Mravec (Caution)

84’ - JAX: Lucas Scaglia (Caution)

90’ - JAX: Lucas Scaglia (Ejection) a