Jacksonville Armada FC and Miami United FC Finish with 1-1 Draw
The Jacksonville Armada FC visited Miami United FC in South Florida Thursday night for the first meeting between the teams in the NPSL.
The teams drew 1-1 in a physical match. A total of 10 cards were handed out, while both teams ended the match only playing with 10 men as well.
Miami United tested Brian Holt in the 27th minute with a sequence after a free kick. He jumped up to save a header that connected to the free kick, then Miami’s Darryl Gordon picked up the rebound and fired again, but it was wide of the net.
The match took a turn in the 45th minute when Miami’s Diego Resquin was shown a red card after a collision with Joshua Castellanos in the midfield.
J.C. Banks gave Jacksonville its best chance of the first half in stoppage time. After Michael Melvin won the ball in the midfield, he passed it to Banks who fired from about 20 yards out but was just wide of the net.
The teams left the field for halftime knotted at 0-0.
The match did not see a goal until the 57th minute. Ciarán Kilduff headed down the ball from a cross in by Yuma, and Castellanos picked it up in front of the net. He tapped it in for his second professional goal, and first in the NPSL.
The 61st minute saw another red card, but this time it was one of Jacksonville’s men. Holt first came in with a diving save after Miami fired from close range, but then a scuffle inside the net led to the red card suspension of Michael Melvin.
The Armada FC held the lead until the 71st minute. Ezequiel Tejera sent a long ball down the field that was picked up by Shamar Shelton. Shelton tucked the ball into the net from just inside the box to equalize the match.
Neither side gained the lead again, although there was some effort from both teams. Miami fired several shots within the waning minutes, including one shot just wide of the net and two blocked shots by Shane McInerney.
The final whistle blew and the teams both took away one point in the first draw shared.
Jacksonville will now return home for a three-match home stand. First the team will host Boca Raton FC on Sunday at Hodges Stadium at 7:00 pm. Tickets are on sale now on JacksonvilleArmada.com/Single-Match.
Contributor: Jacksonville Armada FC
Photo Credit: Eric Tuner/Armada FC
