Armada FC Public Relations | Feb. 24, 2016

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Armada FC had a solid tune up on Wednesday night against local NCAA Division I squad University of North Florida ahead of its clash with MLS side New York Red Bulls on Saturday.

In its first of three preseason friendlies with local colleges, Jacksonville was able to focus on getting fit as the regular season gets closer and give every healthy player on the roster action.

The Armada dominated possession over the Ospreys, who won the Atlantic Sun Conference regular season and postseason tournament titles in 2015, and had several scoring opportunities that either went just wide of the goal or could not make it through the barrier that was the ultra-defensive UNF in the scoreless draw. Jacksonville finished with 19 total shots, including six on goal, to UNF’s two total shots.

Armada forward Derek Gebhard had three early chances, blasting a header that went just high in the fourth minute, followed by a blast from inside the box in the 10th that went just wide and another chance that went just wide in the 14th. Gebhard also had attempts just miss in the 24th and 36th minutes.

In the second, Armada forward Matt Fondy put the Ospreys on their heels with five near misses in the 54th, 55th, 57th, 59th and 78th. Despite the constant intense pressure from Jacksonville, which for most of the match had only two defenders back, UNF was able to lock down the Armada’s advances by playing behind the ball. UNF goalkeeper Juanes Fajardo recorded five saves.

The Armada’s showdown with the Red Bulls kicks off at 6 p.m. on Saturday at Community First Park. Tickets, starting at $10, can be purchased by calling 1.844.2.ARMADA or visiting armadafc.com.