Jacksonville Armada FC U-23 recorded a 4-0 win over Boca Raton FC Saturday night at Patton Park. In a game largely controlled by the home team, Boca Raton hung around until the dying minutes when a Ciaran McKenna brace, the second scored a floating finish of world-class quality sunk the hopes of the visitors.
The Armada U-23 team allowed Boca Raton to dictate tempo in the midfield for the first ten minutes of the match, but then gradually began assuming control. By minute 30, Jacksonville had created multiple scoring opportunities from open play and set pieces that had been created by smart, direct play from midfield. Still the visitors held firm with some excellent last-ditch defending as well as saves from Goalkeeper Leo Tavares. Boca Raton’s best scoring chance of the first half came in minute 34 when Shadi Harb beat two Jacksonville defenders and delivered a diagonal ball into the area which was not met by a teammate.
After what seemed like countless opportunities, Ehjayson Henry finally finished an opportunity for Jacksonville in Minute 40 when Tavares came off his line and was beat by Audrey Rosales who calmly played Henry in for an easy finish. The goal was a long time in coming and opened up the floodgates for Jacksonville who scored three times in the second half, including McKenna’s brace to run out 4-0 winners.
Particularly influential in the match was the Armada’s 18-year old star midfielder Chaim Roserie who was in the middle of most of Jacksonville’s attacking moves for the night.
The loss leaves Boca Raton seven points adrift off the top of the NPSL Sunshine Conference table but the club still has two games in hand on table-topping Miami United, as well as a home matchup to come against Miami United. Boca Raton FC resumes NPSL Sunshine Conference play next Friday with a trip to Miami Fusion who are currently sitting second in the table.
NPSL Sunshine Conference Table (as of June 11, 2017)
| Team | GP | W | D | L | Pts | GS | GA | GD | |
| Miami United FC | 6 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 8 | 10 | -2 | |
| Miami Fusion FC | 5 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 14 | 7 | 7 | |
| Jacksonville Armada U-23 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 12 | 6 | 6 | |
| Kraze United | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 2 | |
| Boca Raton FC | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 7 | -2 | |
| Beaches FC | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | -2 | |
| Naples United FC | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 10 | -9 |
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