Preseason: Orlando City Set to Face Jacksonville Armada FC

It’s only Orlando City’s second preseason match (the first of which fans could actually buy tickets), but by the way the two fan bases have been going at each other on social media you’d think otherwise.

It would appear there is no love lost between Orlando City and the NASL’s Jacksonville Armada who play just a few short hours up I-95. Orlando City President Phil Rawlins wrote an Open Letter to fans in advance of the match, showing just how much passion should be expected this weekend, even for a preseason game.

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Orlando City set to face Jacksonville Armada FC at 6pm on February 13th.[/caption]

This will be the first match between the two clubs, kick off is scheduled for 6pm. To those not making the trip, whether there will be a stream available for viewing is still unknown.

“We want to see the stuff that we have been working on this week. The specifics that we need to improve on from last year, and thats what the focus has been on at training,” said Head Coach Adrian Heath. “I want to see if we can implement them into the game, and more importantly see that they are taking the information on board and getting better at what we think we need to be better.”

The Armada may seem oddly familiar to those making the trip to Community First Park in Jacksonville, as the club features a host of former Lions including Akeil Barrett, Bryan Burke, Mechack Jerome and Miguel Gallardo.

On Orlando City’s side, Kaká and Brek Shea are expected to get their first game action of the preseason and we should see a slightly more regular approach to the match than in the first game against Eastern Florida State University. The club has been laser focused on defensive shape heading into the match, so it should be expected to see that area emphasized on Saturday.