PREVIEW | Armada FC Host Indy Aiming For Back-To-Back Wins

The Jacksonville Armada FC will continue its push to the playoffs at 7:30 p.m. this Saturday against Indy Eleven at Community First Park.

The club will hope to gain an extra advantage from their special pink jerseys, which are being worn by the team to help raise awareness in the fight against breast cancer. Pink scarves will be handed out to the first 750 fans to arrive and proceeds from the match will benefit the American Cancer Society, and breast cancer survivors will help raise the Armada FC flag prior to the match.

Jacksonville is coming off a thrilling, 2-0, win over in-state rivals, the Tampa Bay Rowdies, last Saturday at Community First Park. Forward Pascal Millien was responsible for both goals, assisting on Lucas Scaglia’s 34th minute strike and adding a score of his own in the 74th. Scaglia’s goal was the first of his NASL career. Goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo recorded his 41st-career shutout and notched five saves.

Indy comes to Jacksonville fresh off a 1-1 draw with the Rowdies on Wednesday night in St. Petersburg, Fla., and are 0W-2D-3L in their last five road contests. After falling behind, 1-0, in the 63rd minute against Tampa Bay, the Eleven answered in the 67th with a goal from defender Jaime Frias. Indy goalkeeper Keith Cardona finished with four saves.

In the teams’ last meeting, the Eleven got two goals from Fall Season acquisition Zach Steinberger en route to a 3-0 win over the Armada FC in Indianapolis on Sept. 5. Despite the final score, Armada FC goalkeeper David Sierra made several impressive saves and finished with six.

The Armada FC is still alive in the Combined Standings, but it is vital they get a positive result in their remaining six games. The one thing in their favor is four of those matches are at home, a place Jacksonville holds a 7-3-1 advantage at.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Jacksonville: Gallardo looked to be in top form against the Rowdies last Saturday, and with interim head coach Eric Dade seemingly more content to stick with a traditional starter-backup setup rather than a rotational system, Gallardo can now build some momentum. His highlight-reel double save in the 39^thminute was a key point in the game and aided him in being named to the NASL Team of the Week on Wednesday.

Indy: Midfielder Dylan Mares leads the Eleven in assists (4) and is tied with Erick Norales and Dane Richards in goals (3) and has been named to the NASL Team of the Week twice this season. He underwent surgery on July 31 for a slight tear in his right meniscus and made his first start back from the injury on Wednesday against the Rowdies.

NOTABLES

• The Armada FC will wear alternate kits for the second-straight match, and it will be the second time this season they will have done so against Indy. Last Saturday, the Armada FC paid tribute to Jacksonville’s original major league professional team, the Jacksonville Tea Men, by wearing throwback Tea Men jerseys. On Sept. 5 in Indianapolis, Jacksonville wore its gold kit.
   
• The Armada FC have not lost at home in six Fall Season contests and have a record of 4-0-2. They are averaging 1.5 goals per game at home in the Fall compared to 0.6 goals per game on the road.
   
• With a new look 4-2-3-1 formation last match, Jacksonville showed more defensive prowess than it previously had. But perhaps even more impressive was the team did not have any cautions or ejections.