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Armada FC Four-Team Challenge Proves Fruitful For The Clubs Involved

The Jacksonville Armada FC hosted three other NASL clubs this past week for final preseason preparations
Mar 31, 2015

By Matthew Levine

With only one week left in preseason, four North American Soccer League (NASL) clubs were in Jacksonville last week, putting the final touches on their preparations for the 2015 season.

Jacksonville Armada FC hosted the Carolina RailHawks, Tampa Bay Rowdies, and FC Edmonton this past week with a slate of games on Wednesday and Saturday. The Armada FC Four-Team Challenge proved to be a good test for all teams involved, as they get set to open up their respective season with the first kick on April 4.

“It was very worthwhile, great exercise, and we had a bit of a road trip, which gets us out of our comfort zone a little bit,” RailHawks coach Colin Clarke said after the match on Saturday.

“It was just what we needed a week before the season.”

Eddies head coach Colin Miller agreed with that assessment.

“It’s a fantastic facility. The Armada has done an incredible job. We’ve had two very good games – against Tampa and Carolina here today,” Miller said. “We’re in a good place. We’re grateful to the two competitive games, and the guys will go into next week knowing their fitness levels are good.”  

In an even match, FC Edmonton and Carolina played to a deserved draw, although, there should have been a few goals instead of the 0-0 score line.

In the second of two matches that featured NASL sides, the Rowdies defeated the host Armada, 2-0, with goals coming from Keith Savage and Brian Shriver.

The preseason matches allowed each team to get a closer look at their competition in the league this season, and while some may think teams wouldn’t want to show their hand, Miller saw no need to play things close to his chest. He utilized the squad that will most likely be his starting lineup on Saturday.

“I’m not one that doesn’t show his cards too many times because at the end of the day, by the end of next week’s fixtures we’d have seen every game, so it doesn’t matter what people do in preseason,’ he said.

“I much rather get guys used to playing with each other.”

Ultimately, each club got just what they needed out of the week - to get one step closer in their preparations for the season.

“We’ll be ready. I think everybody will be ready,” Clarke said. 

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