JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Tuesday night proved to be a coming out party of sorts for both Matt Fondy and Alex Dixon in the Jacksonville Armada FC’s dominating 3-0 win over Jacksonville University at Southern Oak Stadium.
The Armada, which improved to a 4W-2D-2L record in the preseason, had a handle on possession all night and had a 14-6 shot advantage. JU was able to get three on goal, but Armada goalkeeper Sebastian Evers saved all three.
After a myriad of just-missed chances so far during the preseason, the flood gates finally opened for Fondy, who was named United Soccer League MVP and was that league’s Golden Boot winner a year ago with 22 strikes.
His two goals set a club preseason record, with his first coming in the seventh minute on a header. The assist came from midfielder Junior Sandoval, who whipped it in close to goal on a sidekick.
Fondy found the back of the net again in the 14th minute when got behind the defense, ran down a long ball and finished with a chip over charging JU goalkeeper Patrick Harding. The Armada continued to pile on the pressure but had a few near misses and went into halftime up 2-0.
The Armada will return to action at 10 a.m. on Friday when it hosts NASL expansion side Rayo OKC at Patton Park. The match is free and open to the public.