Florida Sports Wires

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. –  For Jacksonville Armada head coach Tony Meola and his team, Friday night could not have gone any better in the North American Soccer League (NASL)  home opener at Community First Park at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. A crowd of 5,112 watched a 2-1 win over expansion rival Miami FC. The teams combined for five yellow cards and 28 fouls in a battle that had fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle sounded. “(Our fans) are great here,” Meola said. “They were loud tonight as always. I think that will continue to grow as we get through to the summer. Hopefully we get some more wins and we build something here. They really helped us tonight.” The Armada found the back of the net first in the 2 0th minute when Midfielder Junior Sandoval  blasted a rocket from the top right corner of the box that Miami FC goalkeeper Daniel Vega swiped at but could not make contact. Earlier a Mechack Jerome free kick barely missed the goal...

Jacksonville SportsDay JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville's Charles Eloundou scored late in the match to give the Armada FC a 1-0 preseason victory over MLS foe Philadelphia at Community First Park Saturday night. Eloundou took a pass from Akeil Barrett and curled it over the Union goal keeper for the score. Jacksonville new head coach Tony Meola’s debuted a formation and new signings during the rain soaked contest. The Armada introduced with five defenders, including new signings Tyler Ruthven, Beto Navarro and Bryan Burke. The Armada will be back in action next Saturday when they host another MLS club, Orlando City SC, at 6 p.m.  Tickets, starting at $10, can be purchased by calling 1.844.2.ARMADA or visiting armadafc.com/tickets.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.   ̶  The Jacksonville Armada FC announced on Monday the signing of 2015 USL Defender of the Year Bryan Burke. The 26-year-old fullback from Newport, Calif., arrives in Jacksonville following one season with Louisville City FC where he played a key role at both ends of the field, leading the United Soccer League with 10 assists in 2015, and contributing to a solid defensive effort that saw his team concede 35 goals in 28 regular-season games, a 1.25 GAA. “Brian had an outstanding season last year in the USL with Louisville,” said Tony Meola, Armada FC head coach and technical director. “His work rate up and down the right side and his relentless passion to attack will be exciting to watch as he integrates himself into our group. We are excited to add his quality to our roster for the upcoming season." The Armada will start preseason training in mid-January and play a friendly against MLS’s Philadelphia Union at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6 in at Com...