JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- This Saturday promises to be a historic and spectacular day for not only the Armada but also for the City of Jacksonville and First Coast region.
Armada FC will take to the pitch for the first time ever when they host the MLS' Philadelphia Union at EverBank Field. The Armada's launch into professional soccer is presented by Community First Credit Union and will be supported by the three branches of the sea-faring military in the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines and U.S. Coast Guard. Five hundred members of the military and their families have been invited to attend the match.
Stadium gates will open at 2:30 p.m. for the Community First Pre-Match Experience - three hours of fun-filled entertainment that will include autograph-signing sessions with both teams in the Sea Best Cool Zone, a chance to hear from Armada FC co-head coach Jose Luis Villareal on stage, live music from The Band Be Easy, interactive fun for kids of all ages on the Armada Soccer Experience, displays from the Marines, Armada FC merchandise and food and drinks specials.
The Pre-Match Experience will climax with the first-ever Armada March to the Match at 5 p.m. where drummers from the Armada FC supporters group, Section 904, will lead fans inside the East side of the stadium. The Pre-Match build up, hosted by Beat 93.3 DJ T-Roy, continues with big screen video entertainment, pre-match ceremonies and the first raising of the Armada Flag by former Tea Men and U.S. National Team goalkeeper and U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame member Arnie Mausser, before the team introductions and National Anthem sung by Navy Counselor First-Class Marlene Ciesielski. The Colors will be presented by the U.S. Marines.
Rear Admiral George W. Ballance, Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and the U.S. Fourth Fleet, will join the team captains and officials at mid-field for the historic coin toss before the match action gets into full swing with the scheduled 5:33 p.m. kickoff.
Fans will be able to follow the match action on the "world's biggest scoreboards" and half-time will feature a spectacular fireworks and laser lights show presented by Community First. There will also be a special guest for the Armada FC fans to meet for the first time during the break. Fans will also be able to pick up a souvenir inaugural match poster as they leave the stadium after the match.
Armada FC President, Steve Livingstone, looked forward to the big kickoff, saying: "It's really going to be spectacular launch. We're expecting in-excess of 10,000 fans on Saturday and between our Pre-Match Experience, Half-Time Show and a great match-up between our boys and the Union on the pitch, it's going to be a memorable day for Jacksonville."