Armada FC earns one point on the road with a 1-1 draw in New York

Armada FC Communications | April 22, 2017

FINAL STATS | HIGHLIGHTS

The Jacksonville Armada FC remains undefeated and keeps the first place seat in the NASL after a 1-1 draw against the defending champions, the New York Cosmos (1W-2D-1L, 5th place) Saturday night.

The lone Armada goal came off of J.C. Banks in the second half and brings the club’s record to 2W-2D-0L.

The road match kicked off in a familiar baseball field setting for the Armada FC at Brooklyn’s MCU Park. Yet New York also felt different, as Jacksonville broke the familiar losing streak when playing the Cosmos at home.

Once again, the Armada FC defense proved to be enough to hold off the opponent from taking a win. Mechack Jérôme began defensive play in the sixth minute with an intervention just outside the goal when Walter Restrepo sent a shot his way. He went on to total three clearances and won all three of his duels in 41 touches total.

The Cosmos set the lead in the 22nd minute when Javi Márquez found his way through the box to get the ball into the bottom right corner of the goal.

Defender Kalen Ryden came close to a goal in the 32nd minute. A cross from Nicklas Maripuu was found by Ryden, who sent a header just shy of the net to the right.

Although goalkeeper Caleb Patterson-Sewell gave up his clean sheet streak, he also remained a defensive force. He faced four shots on target, including a huge save when the ball slipped by Aaron Pitchkolan in the 33rd minute.

Despite having the majority of the possession and shots in the first half, the Armada FC failed to find the back of the net.

Banks scored the equalizer in the 67th minute from a headed pass by Ryden. He gained possession about 30 yards out to drive the ball toward the Cosmos and fired it just inside the 18-yard line.

The Armada FC returns home to face the Indy Eleven (0-4-0) at Hodges Stadium Saturday. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased on ArmadaFC.com or by calling 844-2-ARMADA.

Match Report

Starting XI:

JAX (4-2-3-1): Patterson-Sewell, Ryden, Pitchkolan, Beckie, Jérôme, Steinberger, Maripuu (Eloundou 63'), George, Blake, Banks (Johnson 90+2’), Glenn (Gebhard 79')

NYC (4-1-3-2): Maurer, Ayoze, Jakovic, Ochieng, Richter, Szetela, Guerra, Marquez, Flores, Restrepo (Alhassa 90+1’), Starikov (Amauri 79’)

Scoring Summary:

NYC: Marquez 22’

JAX: Banks 67’

Discipline:

JAX: George (caution) 36’

NYC: Ochieng (caution) 56’

JAX: Beckie (caution) 60’