The Sporting Jax men’s team returned to Hodges Stadium on Saturday, June 13, to take on Detroit City FC.
Despite a strong start from Sporting Jax, they ultimately fell to Detroit City 6-2.
After a two-hour rain delay, Sporting Jax scored first when forward Emil Jääskeläinen found the back of the net with help from a Rafferty Pedder corner kick in the ninth minute of the match.
“We’ve been working on set pieces a lot, so it was great to see one finally go in,” Jääskeläinen said.
Detroit City went on to score the next four goals, but Sporting Jax did not quit.
Captain Kieran Sadlier scored a goal in the 69th minute, making it his second consecutive match with a goal. He also scored on June 10 in the second half of the match against Monterey Bay FC. He now has six goals for the season.
“I always try to make an impact where I can, whether I start or not, coming off the bench making a goal,” said Sadlier.
With the season entering a critical stretch, Sporting Jax continues to search for some momentum as they remain toward the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
Despite Saturday’s loss, Head Coach Liam Fox continues to be encouraged by the improvements he is seeing on the field.
“I actually thought we started the game really well tonight,” said Fox. “We passed the ball really well, we were pressing well, and then we got the goal.”
Sporting JAX will be back at Hodges Stadium on June 20 to face off against Charleston Battery FC at 7 p.m.
Sadlier said the team is going to continue working hard and improving.
“There’s always another game, we don’t just finish the season now, we’ve got to carry on and try to find something and improve big time,” he said.
