The Sporting Jax men’s team officially has a win in the books as they got their first victory of the season on Wednesday, July 15, against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at Hodges Stadium.
Pittsburgh got on the board first with a goal in the 29th minute making the score 1-0 at the half. Five minutes into the second half, Kieran Sadlier found the back of the net to tie the game. This goal marked Sadlier’s eighth of the season, making him the club’s leading goal contributor with eight goals and one assist.
Following Sadlier’s goal and substitution in the 65th minute, Ahmad Al-Qaq took to the pitch. His breakthrough came in the 78th minute when his shot took a lucky bounce off a Pittsburgh defender's foot and squeezed past the goalie to give Jacksonville the 2-1 victory.
This win was a long time coming for the team, and Sadlier said it was a good feeling.
“It’s a feeling that we haven’t had yet in the league, and I think, regardless of how the goals went in, that’s the most important thing, and it’s nice to be able to get that off our back,” he said.
Sporting Jax went right back to work on Saturday, July 18, against Brooklyn FC at Hodges Stadium.
Jacksonville wasted no time getting things going Saturday night, striking first in the third minute. Emil Jääskeläinen scored first giving Sporting JAX an early 1-0 lead.
After Jääskeläinen’s goal, Sporting Jax went right back to work scoring another goal in the ninth minute courtesy of Ahmad Al-Qaq to make the score 2-0.
Brooklyn FC fought back, ultimately scoring two second-half goals to force a tie. Even though Sporting Jax did not earn the win, Saturday’s draw gives the squad another point in the standings and extends their unbeaten streak to three matches.
“Unbeaten in the last three, so we’ve got to keep that form and make sure we’ve got the winning mentality and not lose the next game and give everything in the next one,” Jääskeläinen said.
Next up, Sporting Jax will prepare to face El Paso Locomotive FC on the road Saturday, July 25.
