Perhaps slightly out-of-mind during the week, overshadowed by Friday’s MLS announcement at CHS Field, the Loons traveled to Florida in advance to today’s game against Jacksonville. The Armada sit second-to-last in the combined table thanks to the fact Puerto Rico did not accrue any points while sitting out the Spring Season. Given Jacksonville’s -14 goal differential is the worst in the NASL and Minnesota play three of four games after its duel with the Armada on the road, Saturday presents an important opportunity to pick up three points against a struggling side, even if it comes in the form of a road game.

Recent Form

Jacksonville	L	L	D	W	D	-3 GD	1.0 PPG
MNUFC	D	D	L	L	W	+1 GD	1.0 PPG

Hopefully the Loons’ D-D-L-L four-game stretch represents the team’s low watermark for the season. That 1.0 point per game average over Minnesota’s last five games hasn’t changed from Wednesday’s match preview, but there is now a “W” on the end of the series above, instead of one at the very beginning. Hopefully the Loons’ win over the Rowdies will set the team on a climb back up the table.

Previous Meetings

Minnesota improved to 3-1-0 all-time against the Armada when they defeated Jacksonville 2-0 when the two met on May 14 in Blaine. Kevin Venegas scored an impressive left-footed goal coming off a give-and-go with Christian Ramirez, curling the ball into the far upper corner from just outside the 18-yard box. Stefano Pinho also scored in the game — his first goal as a Loon.

Minnesota used a starting XI of Sammy Ndjock; Justin Davis, Brent Kallman, Damion Lowe, Kevin Venegas; Jeb Brovsky, Stefano Pinho, Danny Cruz, Ben Speas, Bernardo Añor; and Christian Ramirez against the Armada in that win.

Officials

Referee	Jaime Herrera
Assistant	Danny Thornberry
Assistant	TJ Zablocki
Fourth	Kevin La Moureaux

Roster Report

There were a number of players midweek who were making significant progress on their return from injury. It might be a bit too soon to see Kevin Venegas, Stefano Pinho, or Bernardo Añor take the field, but Danny Cruz could well play. Jamie Watson performed well in Cruz’s stead, but could easily be flipped to the opposite wing if Carl Craig decides not to give Ismaila Jome a second start this week.

Statistical Notes

It would be easy to single out Jacksonville’s defensive woes — having conceded 29 goals while recording only a single clean sheet — but the Armada are struggling offensively as well. The Armada have scored just 15 goals in 20 games, with finishing being a major weakness.

While Minnesota has converted 17.4 percent of its 178 attempted shots into goals, Jacksonville has converted a measly 7.5 percent of its attempted shots. The Armada are also placing just 39 percent of their shots on target, versus Minnesota’s 46.6 percent success rate.

Jacksonville: Last Time Out

The Armada played Fort Lauderdale to a 1-1 draw at home on Wednesday, responding to conceding a 20th minute goal when Zach Steinberger equalized shortly before the half. The contest was the second at the helm for interim head coach Mark Lowry. The other was the Armada’s first-ever (in club history) road victory, upsetting Ottawa 2-1 at TD Place last Saturday.

Lowry has used a 4-2-3-1 in both matches he has overseen, so the Armada and Loons should line up like-for-like to start today’s game.

Midweek, Lowry turned to the much-maligned Miguel Gallardo in goal. Mechack Jérôme and Beto Navarro made up Jacksonville’s center back pairing, flanked by Matt Bahner and Bryan Burke.

Kevan George and Lucas Scaglia formed a fairly flat base of Jacksonville’s midfield triangle, with Steinberger nominally the point, tucking in behind center forward Alhassane Keita.

Pascal Millien and Danny Barrow played on the wings.

Matchup

Minnesota should have more than enough attacking firepower to blast through the Armada’s porous defense. And while the Loons have played better in the friendly confines of the National Sports Center than on the road, their struggles with artificial turf can not be used as an excuse this afternoon.

In what should be as easy a win as Minnesota is likely to secure with what remains of the Fall Season, the Loons need to show they possess the mental focus needed to control the game against less-talented opposition. Tampa Bay, while decently positioned in the combined table, were a slumping team when they arrived in Blaine midweek. While the Loons wound up 2-0 victors, the game was closer than the scoreline indicated.

Today presents an excellent opportunity for Minnesota to exhibit the killer instinct Craig has publicly sought from his charges, and especially so given the turnover in the wake of Tony Meola’s firing.