By MIKE MCCALL
ArmadaFC.com Writer
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Tied in stoppage time against the defending North American Soccer League champions San Antonio Scorpions, Jacksonville Armada substitute Akeil Barrett juked a defender and played a through-ball to forward Alhassane Keita in the penalty area.
Moving to his left, Keita cut a shot back across goal into the side netting, and the crowd of 8,143 launched into pandemonium - a deserving release of energy after a fast-paced, back-and-forth battle.
The win - sealed by goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo's acrobatic save moments later - kept the Armada a perfect 2-0 at home and snapped a two-game losing streak that had been weighing heavily on the team after their road trip.
"Some of my friends were telling me, 'Keita, today you are not even laughing. You look angry.' I'm thinking about the game because I want my three points," Keita said. "I'm excited because this is what I really wanted tonight. It's not because of the time of scoring the goal, but to get the three points."
Keita's goal restored a lead the home side first took in the fourth minute via Pascal Millien, and which the Scorpions answered through an Omar Cummings scissor-kick in the eighth.
The Armada will return to Community First Park at 7:30 p.m. next Saturday against Indy Eleven. Tickets are available by calling 1.844.2.Armada or by visiting armadafc.com.