A busy second half left the final score 2-1 in Jacksonville.

HIGHLIGHTS | FINAL STATS

Ronnie Rodges, ArmadaFC.com

The Armada FC (0W-2D-2L) fell to Puerto Rico FC (2W-2D-0L), 2-1, in Hodges Stadium Wednesday night.

“Things just didn’t fall for us, when you’re going through that, [their side was] a better and stronger team,” said Armada FC head coach Mark Lowry.

Jacksonville came out strong to begin the game. Charles Eloundou was first with a shot, a long ball that was just high of the goal post.

Kevan George then showed off his defensive skills as one of Puerto Rico’s players tried their most promising shot in the first half, only to be stopped dead in his tracks by the Armada FC midfielder.

After Puerto Rico’s goalkeeper, Trevor Spangenberg, was lured away from the goal by Eloundou, Jack Blake launched a ball that was just high of giving the Armada FC the advantage.

Puerto Rico almost took the lead during first half stoppage time, but Armada FC goalkeeper Caleb Patterson-Sewell was able to keep the visiting team off the board. He denied Giuseppe Gentile a halftime advantage as he completed a kick save, leaving the score tied at zero.

Out of the halftime break, both clubs battled for dominance and it was Puerto Rico first with the lead. During the 53rd minute, Conor Doyle launched a ball that was deflected and went up and over Patterson-Sewell.

The Boys in Blue were not going down without a fight though. After a yellow card was issued to Puerto Rico’s Jairo Puerto, a free kick was also given to Jacksonville. Newcomer Tony Taylor stepped up and nailed a free kick over Trevor Spangenberg’s extended body in the 60th minute to equalize the score at one.

All of Hodges Stadium was on their feet as they celebrated the Armada FC’s first goal of the night. The drums from Section 904 continued to beat as they cheered the team on through the rest of the second half.

“He hit it with a ton of power and great placement. It was a great free kick – it got us right back in the game, but unfortunately we shot ourselves in the foot again and gave up a tough goal,” said Aaron Pitchkolan.

Puerto Rico began a second-half surge in the 73rd minute. Gentile netted a goal to give the visitors the 2-1 lead.

Momentum by Jacksonville continued though after Derek Gebhard was fouled. The Armada FC attempted a corner kick, but Puerto Rico was able to clear the attempt.

“We had a lot of intensity, there were some positive moments,” said Taylor. “We did well overall, but we had a few plays that lacked concentration.”

Puerto Rico attempted two more good looks, but was unable to capitalize. A slew of fouls and substitutions were unable to give the Armada FC the win. The final whistle blew and Puerto Rico won the match, 2-1.

“We’re going to keep doing what we’re doing, staying positive. Things will turn. We’re a decent team,” said Lowry. “We just have to keep fighting and working and eventually it’ll turn for us.”

The club continues on in this busy week by returning to Hodges Stadium on Sunday. Jacksonville will face off against the Miami FC at 6 p.m. Tickets can be purchased now on ArmadaFC.com or by calling 844-227-6232.

MATCH REPORT

STARTING XI:

JAX (4-2-3-1): Patterson-Sewell, Ryden, Pitchkolan, Jérôme, Beckie (Johnson 82’), George, Blake, Taylor (Shriver 78’), Steinberger (Banks 76’), Eloundou, Gebhard

PRFC (4-4-2): Spangenberg, Moses (J. Rivera 53’), Soria, Kavita, Yuma, Quintillà (Dias 90’+2), Ramírez, Puerto, Doyle, Gentile, Welshman (S. Rivera 72’)

SCORING SUMMARY:

PRFC: Doyle 54’

JAX: Taylor 62’

PRFC: Gentile 75’

DISCIPLINE:

PRFC: Quintillà (Caution) 37’

PRFC: Puerto (Caution) 59’

JAX: Blake (Caution) 68’

JAX: Geroge (Caution) 70’

PRFC: Rivera (Caution) 89’

JAX: Pitchkolan (Caution) 90’

JAX: Patterson-Sewell (Caution) 90’+5

ATTENDANCE:

780