RECAP | Armada FC 0, Fury FC 0
Photo Credit: Logan Bowles
With one team in a scoring drought and the other on a shutout streak, Jacksonville Armada FC and Ottawa Fury produced just about what you’d expect in front of 7,586 fans at Community First Park on Sunday afternoon: a scoreless draw.
The home side had the lion’s share of possession and chances, but Fury FC were always in the right place at the right time to break up passes and block shots. And without star striker Alhassane Keita or spark-plug substitute Akeil Bennett, the Armada FC didn’t have enough firepower to break through.
While the draw did snap a three-game losing streak (including U.S. Open Cup play), it also ran Jacksonville’s goal drought to 277 minutes. On the other side, Fury FC picked up their third scoreless draw in four games and their fourth straight shutout.
At times, the match bore similarities to last week’s 4-0 loss to Carolina, with the Armada FC in control, but Ottawa generating the best chances on the counterattack.
Three times in the first half, Fury FC countered, beat the offside trap and had good chances to score, but all three times the Armada FC managed to recover with just-in-time blocks.
Jacksonville went down the right side early and often through fullback Matt Bahner and winger Pascal Millien, who had four shots deflected in a short span of time.
Ottawa keeper Romuald Peiser came out to make stops against Bochy Hoyos and Lucas Rodriguez, and the home side’s best opportunity of the half came in the 39th minute, when Millien found Jaime Castrillon in front of goal with a cross, but the Colombian’s header went just over the bar. Fury FC responded with a header from 6-foot-3 defender Rafael Alves, but Armada FC ‘keeper Miguel Gallardo and defensive midfielder Lucas Scaglia combined to clear it off the line.
In the second half, the Armada grew even more assertive.
Marcos Flores forced a diving save, then couldn’t connect on a close-range shot. Jemal Johnson did the same just seconds later, and Millien had a clear shot go off the back post after a perfect feed from Flores.
More diving saves from Peiser and blocks by defenders stymied more attacks, and Gallardo preserved the draw with a few impressive saves late — and he even snuffed out one counterattack with his head just in front of an on-rushing striker.
