The Sporting Jax men’s team took on Brooklyn FC on May 31 at the University of North Florida’s Hodges Stadium.
Both clubs are in their inaugural seasons and are currently holding the bottom two spots of the conference standings.
The match ended in the 74th minute via a decision from the United Soccer League (USL) after several stoppages due to inclement weather delays. The final score was 2-2, which means Sporting Jax earned a point in the standings.
This was the first matchup between Sporting Jax and Brooklyn FC, and it proved to be a good one. Brooklyn scored the first two goals of the match, but the Sporting Jax attack came to life in the 37th minute when a deflected ball found its way to defender Tyshawn Rose, who fired a shot from outside the box. His shot soared past Brooklyn goalkeeper Jackson Lee to put Sporting Jax on the board and make the score 2-1. This was the first goal of Rose’s USL Championship career.
Sporting Jax had a strong start to the second half as they fought to find the equalizer. Edgardo Rito was a difference maker all day, especially in the second half when he regained possession of the ball, passing it to captain Kieran Sadlier. Sadlier worked his way into the box and passed the ball to Rafferty Pedder, who completed the sequence with the team’s second goal of the day.
This marked two matches in a row that Sporting Jax earned a point in the standings as they tied with San Antonio FC 4-4 on May 27.
The men’s team will return to Hodges Stadium on Saturday, June 6, for Florida Man Night. Fans are encouraged to dress up as the Florida man or woman, and there will be a contest for the best mullet. The team will take on their in-state rival Tampa Bay Rowdies.
