Armada Media Report (TV and Print) For Portfolio

US vs.
Portugal World Cup Beach Bash

May 30, 2014
WSOC-TV
Charlotte, NC
http://www.wsoctv.com/events/events/sports/us-vs-portugal-world-cup-
beach-bash/eCH3PC/
Join the Armada FC and JAXSPORTS at The Shim Sham
Room in Jacksonville Beach for an evening of soccer
activities and world cup soccer viewing, culminating with
the USMNT taking on Portugal in the second game for
the US in the 2014 World Cup group stage. Enjoy great
food, drinks and fun summer games and activities as you
watch the World Cup action Sunday, June
22When: 12pm - 8:30 p.m. Where: The Shim Sham
Room Game: USA vs. Portugal Activities: Multiple
large- and small-screen TVs Music Prizes and giveaways Engine 15
promotions

US vs. Germany World Cup Luncheon
May 30, 2014
WSOC-TV
Charlotte, NC
http://www.wsoctv.com/events/events/sports
/us-vs-germany-world-cup-luncheon/eCH3PD/

Join the Armada FC and JAXSPORTS at the
Omni Hotel in downtown Jacksonville for an
exciting business luncheon and watch the third
and final game for the US in the 2014 World
Cup group stage. There will be great lunch
selections and all the excitement of World Cup
soccer. Thursday, June 26 When: 11:30 a.m. - 2
p.m.Where: Omni Jacksonville Hotel 245 Water St. --
32202Game: USA vs Germany Portugal vs
GhanaActivities:Join guest speakers Daniel Davis, president, JAX Chamber;
Alan Verlander, COO, Jacksonville Sports Council; Mark Frisch, owner,
Armada FC; Steve Livingstone, president, Armada FC; and Dario Sala,
general manager, Armada FC, for presentations on the World Cup and the
Role of Business in Jacksonville Sports. The luncheon will also feature dishes
inspired by Germany, Portugal, Ghana and

US vs. Ghana World Cup Downtown
May 30, 2014
WSOC-TV
Charlotte, NC
http://www.wsoctv.com/events/events/sports/us-vs-
ghana-world-cup-downtown/eCH3mj/

Join the Armada FC and JAXSPORTS at The Jacksonville
Landing in Downtown Jacksonville for kick-off for the
USMNT journey to the 2014 World Cup Final of soccer
activities as we watch a full day of world cup soccer
culminating with the USMNT taking on Portugal in the second game in the
2014 World Cup group stage. Enjoy great food, drinks and fun summer
games and activities as you watch the World Cup action Monday, June
16When: 5-8:30 p.m. Where: The Jacksonville Landing Game: USA vs.
Ghana Activities: Stage with large-screen TVs and special viewing area
Live music before and after the game Samba dancers Food and other
vendors with food and drinks for purchase Soccer experience with
inflatables Prizes and giveaways Engine 15 bar

US vs. Nigeria Soccer Tailgate Party with Armada FC
May 31, 2014
WPXI-TV
Pittsburg, PA
http://www.wpxi.com/events/events/sports/us-vs-nigeria-soccer-tailgate-
party-with-armada-fc/eCH7BS/
You Are Invited To The Armada FC World Cup Send-Off Series Tailgate
Party** Pre-registration required below

Granados will be missed by all
June 2, 2014
Steve Hunt, Sports Day DFW
http://soccerblog.dallasnews.com/2014/06/granados-will-be-missed-by-
all.html/
Daniel Granados name might not be
all that familiar to most FC Dallas
fans, but the affable longtime club
employee has been a fixture with the
organization since its inaugural
season of 1996 when the club was
known as the Dallas Burn.
A huge soccer fan, Granados, whose
official title was assistant team
administrator with FCD, started with
the Burn way back when on a volunteer basis, but after working incredibly
hard and showing the powers-that-be that he had what it took to be an
asset to the organization, he landed a full-time gig.
For much of his time with FCD, he has been an able assistant to kit man
Marcus Owens, who is now in his 10th season with the club. Granados was
a fixture on the practice field, helping Owens set up the field for drills while
also ensuring every single bit of equipment was accounted for after each
session.
He was often seen retrieving wayward balls, even ones that landed on the
roof of the team store on several occasions.
Of course, the work was far from done once training ended as he and
Owens were constantly doing laundry and prepping for road trips. But
Granados also had additional responsibilities.
For one, he was an able if not enthusiastic translator for the non-Spanish
speaking members of the media like myself. Its hard to say how many
times he translated for me since I started covering the club in 2006, but its
a bunch and he never responded to a request to do so with anything but
great enthusiasm.
He also helped new players acclimate to joining the club, whether its
setting them up in a hotel when they first arrive or helping them out with
other day-to-day things many of us take for granted.
Granados was a huge asset for this organization and someone who
everyone, whether it would be coaches, his fellow employees, the players
or even the media, absolutely loved.
So if youre wondering why I say was, well the answer is simple. Thats
because Saturdays game with San Jose was Granados last with the club.
Last week, he informed me he was leaving his longtime home to work for
the Jacksonville Armada, the NASL expansion side set to begin play next
season.
I could tell he was very happy about starting this new chapter in his life
while simultaneously being a bit sad about leaving a place and an
organization he clearly loved with every fiber of his being.
But its a great move for him and his wife and an opportunity he will clearly
excel in. So, even though Daniel Granados isnt a household name or even a
name most FC Dallas supporters know, they should realize what an
important part of the behind-the-scenes goings on he has been since the
early days.
He leaves some pretty big shoes to fill and he will most definitely be missed
by all who were blessed enough to come in contact with him during his long
tenure with the club. Good luck, Daniel.

Suns Smoke the Smokies Through Monday
June 4,2014
Southern League (SL) Jacksonville Suns
http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4801962

JACKSONVILLE, FL - Your Jacksonville Suns will be home daily with five
games against Tennessee (CHC) from June 5-9!
The Homestand kicks off with the biggest party in town with Thursday Night
Throwdown, Shriner's Night & College Night! Enjoy Buds for a Buck and 2
for 1 Cocktails at the hottest spot in Jacksonville! It's also Shriner's night so
be sure to arrive early for the Shriner's pre-game parade and a special
performance from the Shriner's Clowns, courtesy of WW Gay! Plus it's
College Night! All college students get $5 General Admission tickets by
showing their student ID at the Suns Box Office! Sponsored by Budweiser,
Jim Beam, Absolut, Jagermeister, Malibu Rum, Maverick's, Go Pull-It & Buzz
Magazine!
Friday is Duck Dynasty Night with an appearance from Mountain Man,
Blood Alliance Blood Drive & NAPA Friday Family Fireworks! Don't miss
you chance to meet the one and only Mountain Man who will be on hand
and signing autographs at Bragan Field during the game, courtesy of Bud
Light, & 99.9 Gator Country! The Blood Alliance Bloodmobile will be at
Bragan Field and the Suns encourage all fans to donate blood! The first 25
donors receive 2 tickets to the game, a hot dog and soda voucher and a
special Suns gift! Also check out the hottest rides from your Southern Ford
Dealers which will be on hand. Stay after the game as we light up the skies
with the NAPA Friday Family Fireworks, presented by your NAPA AutoCare
center dealers!
Saturday is a special 3:05 Matinee and it's Soccer Day, Team USA Soccer
Scarf Giveaway & Blood Alliance Blood Drive! Join the Suns in celebrating
Team USA's appearance in Jacksonville with Soccer Day and arrive early as
the first 3,000 fans get a special Suns & Team USA Soccer Scarf courtesy of
Sea Best, Jacksonville Armada FC & 1010XL/92.5 FM! The Blood Alliance
Bloodmobile will be on hand and the Suns encourage all fans to donate
blood! The first 25 donors receive 2 tickets to the game, a hot dog and soda
voucher and a special Suns gift! Check out the hottest rides from your
Southern Ford Dealers which will be on hand

Gene Frenette: Another big crowd bodes well for
Jacksonville
June 6, 2014
Gene Frenette, Florida Times-Union
http://jacksonville.com/sports/columnists/gene-frenette/2014-06-
06/story/gene-frenette-another-big-crowd-bodes-well

When Jacksonville sets another record in the
Southeast for soccer attendance Saturday night at
EverBank Field where the United States mens
national team faces Nigeria in a World Cup sendoff
match dont be surprised if it leads to a return
engagement in 2018.
After a record 44,438 fans showed up at EverBank
for a 5-1 friendly win over Scotland two years ago,
U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann said to me upon
leaving a post-match news conference: Can you
arrange to bring all these people to Tampa?
Two weeks later, only about half that number
(23,971) attended a U.S. friendly with Antigua & Barbuda at Raymond
James Stadium. Klinsmann and his players notice the reception they get at
different venues, which is why a monster-sized crowd Saturday will put
Jacksonville in the mix for another World Cup send-off match in four years.
Its huge to see that kind of support, goalkeeper Brad Guzan said. To
have, hopefully, 50,000-plus at this game makes it exciting for everyone.
The U.S. Soccer Association is no different than any other capitalist major
sport. It goes where the money is.
Jacksonville was given a NASL franchise, the Armada, because it has evolved
into a legitimate soccer market. If that trend continues, Team USA will keep
coming back.
The Jaguars had only one significant player from the Southeastern
Conference, defensive end Jeremy Mincey (Florida), on their roster when
the tenure of former GM Gene Smith ended. Projecting the 2014 roster,
current GM Dave Caldwell might have no less than 10 players from SEC
schools as starters or big contributors.
When you examine the nuts and bolts of quarterback Colin Kaepernicks
bloated $121 million contract with the San Francisco 49ers, its a fair deal.
Kaepernick gets financial security, but the team isnt in salary cap peril if his
performance regresses. Thats smart negotiating.
To all the idiots on social media condemning LeBron James for not playing
through cramps in the fourth quarter of the Miami Heats Game 1 finals
loss to the San Antonio Spurs: That was not the equivalent of Michael
Jordan flu. Cramps dont just weaken the body, they lock it up.
Did you see the allegations made by ex-North Carolina player Rashad
McCants against coach Roy Williams and UNC basketball for putting him in
easy classes, rarely showing up, and getting high grades to stay eligible on
the 2005 national title team? The uproar would be far greater if a former
Kentucky player said the same thing about John Calipari. So, yes, image
does matter.
If heavy favorite California Chrome fails to win the Belmont Stakes, its hard
for me to think of it as a huge upset. The extra distance in this race is
primarily why the last 12 Kentucky Derby/Preakness winners couldnt
complete the Triple Crown.

Is Jacksonville Becoming a Soccer Town?
June 9, 2014
Nina Budieri
WJCT
http://news.wjct.org/post/jacks
onville-becoming-soccer-town

A growing number of people on
the First Coast are interested in
soccer.
The US Men's National Team
arrives at Everbank Field on
Saturday, June 7.
That seems to be the message sent by the record number of fans who
showed up for the US Mens match against Nigeria on Saturday, June 7 at
Everbank Field.
Joel Lamp, interim director of the city of Jacksonvilles Sports and
Entertainment department says its no surprise that attendance topped
52,000.
The crowd we had at Everbank Field over the weekend- that was a great
testament to what weve got going here in Jacksonville," he said. "Weve
set, now, the southeastern record for two US World Cup friendly matches
here in Jacksonville, so were continuing to build that soccer culture.
The citys new North American Soccer League team, Armada FC, hopes to
capitalize on that culture when it starts its first official season next spring.
Team President Steve Livingstone is optimistic about the growth of soccer
in Florida, and in particular, Jacksonville.
I think having soccer here in Jacksonville at the level were going to have
makes it a much more cosmopolitan city," he said. "Soccer is a global sport,
and we have the opportunity here to join the rest of the world, if you like,
in soccer. And I have no doubt that Jacksonville would be an excellent
center for soccer in the southeast.
The Armada hopes to continue to develop a soccer fan base in Jacksonville
by hosting watch parties for the World Cup throughout the summer.

Armada FC to announce new coach Wednesday
June 9, 2014
Dan Hicken, Action News Jax (WTEV)
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/sports/soccer/ar
mada-fc-announce-new-coach-wednesday/ngHGx/

The Armada FC will announce its first head coach later
this week.

Jacksonville's professional soccer team is the 13th team
to join the North American Soccer League.

The first matches will take place in 2015.

The new head coach will be announced at a news conference Wednesday
afternoon. - See more at:
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/sports/soccer/armada-fc-announce-
new-coach-wednesday/ngHGx/#sthash.9MU8TlL4.dpuf

Jacksonville Armada FC to name first head coach
Wednesday
June 9, 2014
Matt Soergel, Florida Times-Union
http://jacksonville.com/news/2014-06-09/story/good-timing-jacksonville-
armada-fc-name-first-head-coach-wednesday

Jacksonville Armada FC, the citys pro soccer team, will announce its first
head coach Wednesday.
Its smart timing for the Armada coming just after an enthusiastic 52,000
people saw the U.S. mens team victory in Jacksonville Saturday, and just
one day before the World Cup kicks off in Brazil.
The Armada begins play in April in the North American Soccer League, the
second tier of professional soccer in the U.S., behind Major League Soccer.
The league hopes to eventually become a competitor to the MLS.
The new coach could be a name familiar to soccer fans. Earlier this year
there were rumors connecting former national team goalie Tony Meola to
the team, but those faded away.
Might the team look to make a similar splash on Wednesday? The
announcement is at 3 p.m. at the Omni Jacksonville Hotel.

Armada FC to announce new coach Wednesday
June 9, 2014
Dan Hicken, Action News Jax (WTEV)
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/sports/soccer/ar
mada-fc-announce-new-coach-wednesday/ngHGx/

The Armada FC will announce its first head coach later
this week.

Jacksonville's professional soccer team is the 13th team
to join the North American Soccer League.

The first matches will take place in 2015.

The new head coach will be announced at a news conference Wednesday
afternoon. - See more at:
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/sports/soccer/armada-fc-announce-
new-coach-wednesday/ngHGx/#sthash.9MU8TlL4.dpuf

Action News at 5:00 am
June 11, 2014
WAWS-JAX (FOX) Action News

Former Argentinian player and coach to lead Jacksonville soccer club
Armada FC
June 11,2014
Colleen Michele Jones, Jacksonville Business Journal
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2014/06/11/former-argentinian-player-
and-coach-to-lead.html?page=all

Jacksonvilles newest professional soccer team has a leader to launch its
inaugural 2015 season.
The Armada Football Club announced at a press conference this afternoon
it had appointed Argentinian Jos Luis
Villarreal as the teams first head coach.
The team whose name and logo was
unveiled by Armada owner and
executive vice president of Sea Best
Mark Frisch in February is the 13th
club in the North American Soccer
League. Dario Sala, another former
professional soccer star, will work
alongside Villarreal as the Armadas
general manager.
I am grateful to have this opportunity
with the Armada FC and to help build a
team from the ground up, Villarreal
said in a press release. I look forward to working with the leadership of the
team to build a winning club, grow local talent, become a leader in the
community and make our fans proud.
Villarreal, a retired soccer player, brings to the position nearly 30 years of
experience both on the field and along the sidelines as a coach in
professional leagues across South America and Europe, including Boca
Juniors and River Plate in Argentina; C.F. Pachuca in Mexico; Atltico
Madrid in Spain; and Montpellier Hrault SC in France.
Most recently, Villarreal served as deputy manager for the Chilean club
Colo-Colo, which plays in the Primera Divisin. Colo-Colo has the most wins
in Chilean first league history, with 30 titles, and has been in the top league
since it was founded in 1925.
Jos Luis has everything we are looking for in a head coach - passion,
determination, playing experience, strong international connections and
leadership," Sala said. "On the field, he will help set the Armada FC apart
with his style of coaching and play. His aggressive, attack-style approach is
not seen in the U.S. right now and will be a new dynamic for the NASL.
With recruiting experience under his belt as well, one of Villarreals first
priorities will be to build the teams roster and technical staff.
The Armada will kick off its first season in April 2015. As of April, the team
was deciding between playing at either the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville
or the University of North Florida.

Jacksonville Armada FC names new head coach
June 11, 2014
First Coast News
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/story/sports/so
ccer/2014/06/11/jacksonville-armada-fc-names-
new-head-coach/10346605/
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Armada FC,
Jacksonville's professional soccer team and the
13
th
club in the North American Soccer League,
today announced that Argentinian Jos Luis
Villarreal (Vee-jah-ree-ahl) will become the
club's first head coach. Villarreal will be charged
with building the team's roster and technical
staff before coaching the Armada FC in its
inaugural season in 2015.
Villarreal, a former professional soccer player, brings to Jacksonville nearly
30 years of experience between playing and coaching at the professional
level for premier and world-renowned leagues across South America and
Europe including Boca Juniors (Argentina), River Plate (Argentina), C.F.
Pachuca (Mexico), Atltico Madrid (Spain) and Montpellier Hrault SC
(France). Most recently, Villarreal served as deputy manager for Chilean
club Colo-Colo, which plays in the Primera Divisin. Colo-Colo has the most
wins in Chilean first league history, with 30 titles, and has been in the top
league since it was founded in 1925. In 2014, the club was crowned the
champions of the Primera Divisin spring season.

Jacksonvilles Professional Soccer Team Names First Head
Coach
June 11, 2014
Rhema Thompson, WJCT-TV
http://news.wjct.org/post/jacksonvilles-professional-soccer-team-names-
first-head-coach

After seven months of searching, the
Jacksonville Armada Football Club
announced Wednesday that
Argentinian-born Jose Luis Villarreal
will take the helm as the professional
team prepares to hit the field next
April.
The teams general manager Dario Sala
made the announcement at
Jacksonville's Omni Hotel Wednesday afternoon.
"His experience as a player, coach and recruiter and our shared vision for
the future for Armada FC will make him the perfect person to lead us to
success in 2015," he said.
Villareal brings 30 years of playing and coaching professional soccer to the
game. He got his start at age 16, playing for a local club in his hometown of
Cordoba, Argentina.
The new coach, whos English is limited, said he was happy to be in
Jacksonville. He recently relocated to the city with his wife and two
children. In the months to come, his mission will be to build and mold a
winning team and staff.
"My goal is to win and to make our fans proud," he said.

Web Extra: Jose Luis Villareals dream job
June 11, 2014
First Coast News WJXX-TV
http://archive.firstcoastnews.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=36182500300
01

Armada name Villarreal head coach
June 11, 2014
Channel 4 WJXT
http://www.news4jax.com/sports/armada-name-villarreal-head-
coach/26444520

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -

The Armada FC today announced that
Argentinian Jos Luis Villarreal would
become the club's first head coach.
Villarreal will be charged with building
the team's roster and technical staff
before coaching the Armada FC in its

I am grateful to have this opportunity with the Armada FC and to help
build a team from the ground up. I look forward to working with the
leadership of the team to build a winning club, grow local talent, become a
leader in the community and make our fans proud, said Villarreal. My
wife, children and I are excited to be in Jacksonville. We have enjoyed
exploring the city and believe it is one of the best-kept secrets in Florida. I
look forward to working and raising my family here.


Armada announces Jose Luis Villarreal as its first coach
June 11, 2014
Clayton Freeman, Florida Times-Union
http://jacksonville.com/sports/other-sports/2014-06-11/story/jacksonville-
armada-tabs-jose-luis-villarreal-its-first-coach

The Jacksonville Armada has found its admiral. Jacksonvilles new North
American Soccer League franchise hired Jose
Luis Villarreal as its head coach for its
inaugural 2015 season. The Armada
introduced Villarreal, 48, at a press
conference Wednesday at the Omni
Jacksonville Hotel with owner Mark Frisch,
general manager Dario Sala, and president
Steve Livingstone.
I have seen firsthand his strength as a
leader on the field, his love for the game,
and the confidence he inspires in those
around him, Sala said. His experience as a
player, coach, and recruiter, and our shared vision for the future of Armada
FC will make him the perfect person to lead us to success in 2015.
Villarreal, a native of Argentina, had a long playing career most noted for a
five-year spell at Boca Juniors in Buenos Aires in the early 1990s that won
him a place on the Argentine national team.
Blog: Argentine reunion: Jacksonville Armada GM hires former teammate
as NASL team's first coach
Hes a high-quality individual. Hes got a great family. His ambition, his
passion for the game, his experience, and his style of play, which is a very
specific style a fast-paced, ball-possession style that we want to have on
the field at our matches, Frisch said.Villarreal represented his nation eight
times, including qualification for the 1994 World Cup. He also has previous
experience with Sala after the two played together at the Argentine club
Belgrano in 1998.
I think my relationship with Dario was probably the most important part,
Villarreal said through a translator. Dario and I have been talking for quite
some time about coming here and being the head coach of this team.
Sala described Villarreal as his first mentor from his own playing career, and
he also said Villarreal was the strongest candidate on objective merit, citing
his passion, playing experience, strong international connections, and
leadership.
We will bring a new style of soccer to Northeast Florida, and that starts
with our head coach, Sala said.
The appointment of Villarreal seems to signal an emphasis on the crisp
short-passing game long practiced throughout Latin America.
I really like a dynamic style of play with a lot of player rotation, Villarreal
said. I like a lot of pressure on the field, and I like short plays, so theres no
space for the rivals to get anything.
Villarreals previous position was as an assistant coach at Chilean club Colo-
Colo. The Armada will be his first job as a head coach and his first coaching
position of any type in the United States.
Sala, who played five years in Major League Soccer as a goalkeeper for FC
Dallas, said that he has been working with Villarreal to prepare him for the
American game.
The Armada, which won its franchise in July 2013, will begin play next
spring in the 10-team NASL. The league is also adding franchises in
Oklahoma City and northern Virginia.
The club announced that tryouts would begin later in the summer. Frisch
also said that Villarreal has identified several players from overseas who are
under consideration.
Youve got to find the players to fit your scheme, Frisch said. Hes ready
with a list of those guys through his connections internationally, through
the countries hes been in. So its going to be a fun process.

Villarreal named first head coach of Armada FC
June 11, 2014
From Staff, Financial News & Daily Record
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=543167

The Armada FC, Jacksonvilles professional soccer team, said today that
Jos Luis Villarreal will become the clubs first head coach.
Villarreal (pronounced Vee-jah-ree-ahl) will be charged with building the
teams roster and technical staff before coaching the Armada FC in its

leader in the community and make our fans proud, said Villarreal.

He called Jacksonville one of the best-kept secrets in Florida.

Villarreal, a former professional soccer player, brings nearly 30 years of
experience between playing and coaching at the professional level across
South America and Europe including Boca Juniors (Argentina), River Plate
(Argentina), C.F. Pachuca (Mexico), Atltico Madrid (Spain) and Montpellier
Hrault SC (France).

Most recently, he served as deputy manager for Chilean club Colo-Colo,
which plays in the Primera Divisin. Colo-Colo has the most wins in Chilean
first league history, with 30 titles, and has been in the top league since it
was founded in 1925. In 2014, the club was crowned the champions of the
Primera Divisin spring season.

Jos Luis has everything we are looking for in a head coach - passion,
determination, playing experience, strong international connections and
leadership. But most importantly, he has a desire to be in Jacksonville, grow
our local talent and be a part of our community, said General Manager
Dario Sala. On the field, he will help set the Armada FC apart with his style
of coaching and play. His aggressive, attack-style approach is not seen in
the U.S. right now and will be a new dynamic for the NASL.

Owner Mark Frisch said in addition to possessing the skills necessary for the
position, Villarreal also demonstrated the leadership quality needed to
build a team from the ground up.

From day one, our team has shared a goal of putting a winning team on
the worldwide map, said Frisch. As a former player, coach and recruiter,
Jos Luis approach to the game, worldwide experience, connections and
passion for the sport will help us achieve that goal. His unmatched
experience and leadership abilities make him the perfect person to help
build the Armada FC.

Villarreal, along with his wife, Elisabeth, and two children, Sofia, 15, and
Lucas, 14, have relocated to Jacksonville.

Armada FC names Jose Luis Villarreal as inaugural head
coach
June 11, 2014 12:03 pm
Fox 30 Jax
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/content/topstories/story/Armada-FC-
names-Jose-Luis-Villarreal-as-inaugural/COpqU4BBK0mOSsICz6NoNw.cspx

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Armada FC announced a former soccer star as its
first head coach.

Jose Luis Villarreal, a former Argentinian soccer player, will lead the team in
its inaugural season.

Villarreal, who started his soccer career at the age of 16, played in premier
leagues across the world including Boca Juniors and River Plate in
Argentina, Atletico Madrid, C.F. Pachuca in Mexico, and Montpellier Herault
SC in France.

He most recently served as deputy manager for Colo-Colo, a Primera
Division team with the most wins in Chilean first division history with 30
titles. It has been in the top league since its founding in 1925.

"I am grateful to have this opportunity with the Armada FC and to help
build a team from the ground up," said Villarreal. "I look forward to working
with the leadership of the team to build a winning club, grow local talent,
become a leader in the community and make our fans proud," he added.

Jacksonville's professional soccer team is the 13th team to join the North
American Soccer League.

New coach named for Armada FC
June 11, 2014
Stuart Webber, Action News Jax (video)

Armada names its admiral
June 11, 2014
Clayton Freeman, St. Augustine Record
http://staugustine.com/sports/local-sports/2014-06-11/aramada-names-
its-admiral#.U62nqxYdHB0

The Jacksonville Armada has found its admiral.
Jacksonvilles new North American Soccer League franchise hired Jose Luis
Villarreal as its head coach for its inaugural 2015 season. The Armada
introduced Villarreal, 48, at a news conference Wednesday at the Omni
Jacksonville Hotel with owner Mark Frisch, general manager Dario Sala,
and president Steve Livingstone.
I have seen firsthand his strength as a leader on the field, his love for the
game and the confidence he inspires in those around him, Sala said. His
experience as a player, coach and recruiter, and our shared vision for the
future of Armada FC, will make him the perfect person to lead us to
success in 2015.
Villarreal, a native of Argentina, had a long playing career and was on the
Argentine national team.

WJXT-JAX News4Jax at 6PM
June 11, 2014
Channel 4 WJXT

Say hello to JLV. It's shorter
and easier. With nearly 30
years' experience playing and
coaching at the professional
level, he played in Argentina,
along with Madrid and JLV
introduced at a press
conference this arch. Hell be
called upon to build this team's
roster from the ground up. He's still working on his English, so the armada
called upon former channel 4 intern Christy Endowar to translate. >> I really
like the city. I actually came here last year. and I could really tell that people
here have a passion for soccer. >> I know firsthand I was his teammate and
I know how he can develop local talent. >> First and foremost, it's the type
of person he is. He is an amazing man, a great family. Hes going to bring a
revolutionary style to the NASL. Were looking forward to seeing him.

Argentine reunion: Jax Armada GM hires former
teammate as NASL team's first coach
June 11,2014
http://jacksonville.com/opinion/blog/400617/gene-frenette/2014-06-
11/argentina-reunion-jax-armada-gm-hires-former-teammate

When Dario Sala was a 23-year-old goalkeeper during the 1998 season for
Belgrano in his native Argentina, the team brought in an aging star at the
back end of his career named Jose Luis Villarreal.Sala looked up to him as a
teacher and mentor, which made for a strange dynamic when the
Jacksonville Armada FC general manager began his search last October for
the NASL expansion teams first soccer coach.
Life came full circle for both men Wednesday when Villarreal, who has
never played or coached soccer in the United States, was introduced as the
Armada coach by Sala in a press conference at the Jacksonville Omni Hotel.
It was very strange and very hard for me, Villarreal said through an
interpreter about being interviewed by Sala for his first head coaching job.
We were talking in the car on the way and we couldnt believe the
circumstances, Sala added. During our search, I never favored *Villarreal+
because he was my mentor. I was objective about the decision. He was off
the charts, the best candidate in every way.
Villarreal, 48, brings a wealth of international coaching and playing
experience, including most recently as deputy manager for club Colo-Colo
in Chile, the 2014 spring season champion of the Primera Division.Though
hes only been in the United States for 10 days, Villarreal and his family
(wife, Elisabeth, two kids) are excited about him coaching in America. He
speaks little English, but hopes to improve in the coming months before
Armada begins preparations for the 2015 season.
I had a lot of *coaching+ offers, but coming to the United States interested
me more, Villarreal said. The NASL is growing and I want to be a part of
that.
Armada owner Mark Frisch trusted Salas judgment on the coaching search.
Both are counting on Villarreals international experience to recruit the best
foreign players (limit of 7 per NASL team), but more importantly, to develop
local talent to fill out the roster.
I talked to Dario a long time about his relationship with *Villarreal+, said
Frisch. Your head has to rule over your heart on these things. That first
hire is crucial. First and foremost, the head coachs job is to get the best
players on the field to put us in position to win. I think we have that guy.

WJXT-JAX- The 10 Oclock News
June 11, 2014
Channel 4 WJXT

2014 world cup kicks off
tomorrow but here at home,
Jacksonville newest soccer club,
head coach Jos Louis Villarreal.
JLV brings 30 years of experience
as player and coach. Now that
they have a coach, time to find
talent on the field. >> Now that
we have our head coach, we are really going to start focusing on players.
He has a specific set of players that will match perfectly with the system. >>
Players with technical skills that have a great passion for soccer. That could
identify with the Jacksonville armada. >> The translator for the armada
none other than channel 4 intern.
WAWS-JAX (FOX) Action News at 10:30pm
June 11
Action News Jax

Your new coach of the Jacksonville
Armada is Jose Luis Villarreal,
Jacksonvilles other futbol team,
twenty years after the Jags started,
get their version of tom Coughlin,
Stuart Webber has more on the new
armada coach.

Action News at 11:00pm on CBS47
June 11, 2014
Action News

Your new coach of the
Jacksonville Armada.... is Jose
Luis Villarreal.... Jacksonville's
other futbol team...twenty years
after the jags started...gets their
version of tom Webber has more
on Coughlin.... Stuart the new
armada coach.... trt - 1:02 oc - standard time to get to know villarreal. The
Argentina native played professionally for 18 years most notably a brief
stint for atletico de Madrid. After playing he

WJXT Channel 4 News at 11pm
June 11, 2014
WJXT Channel 4 News

A new coach for a new coach for the
Jacksonville armada... Jos Luis villa-
real introduced at a press conference
this afternoon. J-l-v...brings 30 years
of experience as a player and a coach
... the armada...set to debut in 2015...
first task for villa-real...f

First Read: Thursday, June 12, 2014
WJCT News
http://news.wjct.org/post/first-read-thursday-june-12-2014

Jacksonville Armada names first head coach: the Jacksonville Armada
Football Club announced Wednesday that
Argentinean Jose Luis Villarreal will take
the helm as the team prepares to hit the
field next April. (WJCT)

Armada FC welcomes first head
coach
June 12, 2014
Max Marbut, Financial News and Daily Record

Jose Luis Villarreal was introduced Wednesday as the inaugural head coach
of the Jacksonville Armada FC. He is pictured with team General Manager
Dario Sala. A native of Argentina, Villarreal played and coached in Europe
and South America for nearly 30 years. Sala said Villarreal was selected for
his aggressive, attack-style approach. Team owner Mark Frisch said
Villarreal will offer fans an experience that only the Jacksonville Armada FC
can bring to the field. The Armada is the newest member of the 13-team
North American Soccer League and will begin play in 2015.

Is Jacksonville part of a new American soccer culture?

June 12, 2014
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2014/06/12/is-jacksonville-part-of-a-new-
american-soccer.html

At Wednesdays public announcement of new Armada head coach Jos Luis
Villarreal, team owner Mark Frisch commented on the increasing popularity
of pro-soccer once more of a European and Central/South American
sport expanding to the United States.
Frisch told the Business Journal its why he first began discussions two years
ago to bring football (as soccer is known in other parts of the world) to
Jacksonville with a minor league team of its own to compete in the North
American Soccer League.

The franchise will launch its inaugural season in April 2015.
Fifty-two thousand people coming out on Saturday? Frisch said, referring
to the crowd at EverBank field last weekend for the U.S.-Nigeria mens team
soccer matchup
that set the stage for the World Cup, which kicks off today in Brazil. The
numbers continue to amaze me.
A recent article in the New York Times used Saturdays tournament in
Jacksonville to underscore the growing interest among mainstream sports
fans in the sport.
Will the Armada Football Club set sail at exactly the right time and place to
ride this wave of popularity?
Lets hope, said Frisch, lets hope.

Armada name Villarreal head coach
June 11, 2014
Channel 4 WJXT
http://www.news4jax.com/sports/armada-name-villarreal-head-
coach/26444520

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -

The Armada FC today announced that
Argentinian Jos Luis Villarreal would
become the club's first head coach.
Villarreal will be charged with building
the team's roster and technical staff
before coaching the Armada FC in its

leader in the community and make our fans proud, said Villarreal. My
wife, children and I are excited to be in Jacksonville. We have enjoyed
exploring the city and believe it is one of the best-kept secrets in Florida. I
look forward to working and raising my family here.


LISTEN: Armada Soccer Show 6 13 14
June 13, 2014
SportsRadio 930 AM
http://www.sportsradiojax.com/onair/jax-
armada-soccer-show-54742/listen-armada-soccer-
show-6-13-12461206/

No Plans? No Problem! Things to Do This Weekend on the
First Coast
June 13, 2014
WJCT-TV
http://news.wjct.org/post/no-plans-no-problem-things-do-weekend-first-
coast-18
Monday, June 16 The Jacksonville Armada Football Club hosts a free World Cup
watch party of team USA's first match against Ghana from 5-8 p.m. at Jacksonville
Landing. The game will be shown on the big screen in the courtyard with live music
before and after, a samba dancer, soccer "experiences" and prizes.

Gene Frenette: Florida's lack of transparency is a problem
for football team
June 13,2014
http://jacksonville.com/sports/college/florida-gators/2014-06-
13/story/gene-frenette-floridas-lack-transparency-problem

In trying to rebound from a 4-8 season, one thing the University of Florida
football program and coach Will Muschamp didnt need was adding more
baggage to the recovery process.
Not that losing receivers coach/recruiting coordinator Joker Phillips is an
insurmountable hurdle. But the secretive nature of his resignation under
the generic disguise of personal reasons amid reports that he
committed some type of NCAA violation on the recruiting trail only raises
uncertainty about the programs direction.
Since the Urban Meyer era, Floridas athletic department has been
increasingly reluctant to be forthcoming about any news thats remotely
negative. For a program needing to regain momentum and accumulate
some goodwill with fans, the lack of transparency over Phillips exit is a bad
call.
Incidentally, the timing of Phillips departure made it virtually impossible
for Muschamp to not promote Chris Leak. The better option was to hire
someone familiar with first-year coordinator Kurt Ropers offense and hope
Leak can positively impact an underachieving position group.
Looking back, the 30-foot, par-saving putt at the 17th hole that Martin
Kaymer made to propel him to victory at The Players Championship looks
even bigger now. The second-round leader
at the U.S. Open could become the first
golfer to win that event and the Players in
the same year.
Phil Mickelson has become more of a feast-
or-famine player in recent years. Until his
putter is more cooperative, its going to be
tough for the six-time U.S. Open runner-up
to complete the Grand Slam or snap out of
the most prolonged slump of his career.
Jaguars rookie D.J. Tialavea bears a strong resemblance to Mark Sanchez.
The undrafted tight end admits being out in public and getting mistaken for
the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback.
Question for national media treating the EverBank Field upgrades and pool
installation like its a news-breaking story: Do you realize Blaine Gabbert
now works for the San Francisco 49ers?
With another month to decide on a temporary two-year home, Jacksonville
Armada owner Mark Frisch is genuinely torn on whether to play NASL
games at the University of North Florida or the Baseball Grounds. Since UNF
is a soccer venue, thats probably the better option.
Even with LeBron James in his prime, the Miami Heat look old and
disengaged. Between the San Antonio Spurs depth and the strategic genius
of coach Gregg Popovich, what everyone anticipated would be an even
series is a total mismatch. If the Heat had Carmelo Anthony, it still might
not be enough to overcome San Antonios team of quiet assassins.
No matter what the outcome in the lawsuit against the NCAA brought by Ed
OBannon and other athletes, the primary beneficiary is still going to be the
lawyers.

Good Morning Jacksonville Sunrise
June 16, 2014
WTLV-JAX (NBC)

Happening today--
Jacksonville's new
professional soccer team, the
armada, will host a soccer
party at the landing. More
than a thousand fans are
expected to join to view the
u-s men's national team battle Ghana in its opening match of the world cup
finals. The game will be shown on big screens with free samples and an
appearance from the new head coach. Theyll also be announcing a new
social media reward service for fans.

Action News At 5 am
WAWS-Jax (FOX)
June 16, 2014

The Jacksonville armada
football club is teaming up
with the city's sports council
to host two fan watch parties
for the cup. There will be
food and drink offerings
competitions and giveaways at the Jacksonville landing from 5 to 830 pm
today. As the US takes on Ghana. Another party will be at Nippers beach
grille in Jacksonville Beach this Sunday for 3 back-to-back matches.

Action News at 7 am
WAWS-Jax (FOX)
June 16, 2014

with the city's sports council
to host two fan watch parties
for the cup. There will be
food and drink offerings competitions and giveaways at the Jacksonville
landing from 5 to 830 pm today. As the US takes on Ghana. Another party
will be at Nippers beach grille in Jacksonville Beach this Sunday for 3 back-
to-back matches.

Action News at 8 am
WAWS-Jax (FOX)
June 16, 2014

with the city's sports
council to host two fan
watch parties for the cup.
There will be food and drink
offerings competitions and
giveaways at the
Jacksonville landing from 5
to 830 pm today. As the US takes on Ghana. Another party will be at
Nippers beach grille in Jacksonville Beach this Sunday for 3 back-to-back
matches.

Cole Pepper: U.S. Start World Cup Play, Armada Names
First Head Coach, Kaymer Wins U.S. Open
June 16, 2014
http://news.wjct.org/post/cole-pepper-us-start-world-cup-play-armada-
names-first-head-coach-kaymer-wins-us-open

Looking ahead with the Armada
Speaking of the Armada, they named their new coach last week, Jose Luis
Villareal. He's from Argentina and has know the Armada GM Daria Sala for
years.
There are a number of questions to be answered about the Armada. One of
the questions I hear a lot around town is how good of a league they'll be
playing in; this will give you an indication.
Over the weekend, the U.S. Open Cup was being contested. It's a
tournament with teams from all over the country, amateur and
professional. Three games included teams from the MLS vs. NASL teams.
The NASL took all three. To be fair, there were a few MLS starters who were
unavailable because they were playing in the World Cup for their national
teams, but it shows you the quality of the NASL as the Armada get set to
join.

Team USA prepares to face Ghana
Micheal Kelly, WJCT
June 16, 2014
Micheal Kelly, WJCT
http://www.news4jax.com/sports/te
am-usa-prepares-to-face-
ghana/26515382

NATAL, BRAZIL
It's not a bad way to start your work
week with Team USA gearing up for its opening match in the 2014 FIFA
World Cup against Ghana.
"For one month every four years, the world stops, everybody is watching,"
said team captain Michael Bradley. "To have the opportunity to represent
our country, to wear our colors, there's nothing else like it."
This is a chance at redemption for Team USA. Ghana knocked the U.S. out
of competition in each of the past two World Cups.
Monday's match is set for 6 PM. The Jacksonville Armada will host a World
Cup watch party at the Jacksonville Landing from 5 PM to 8:30 PM.

Local soccer fans gather to witness USA World Cup Win
June 16, 2014
Joy Purdy, Channel 4 WJXT
http://www.news4jax.com/entertainment/local-soccer-fans-gather-to-
witness-usa-world-cup-win/26521974
Natal, BRAZIL -
U.S. soccer fans had this
match circled on the
calendars for four years;
revenge against Ghana, the
team that knocked the United
States out of competition two
World Cups in a row.
The excitement continued to
build at The Jacksonville Landing at a giant watch party with hundreds of
fans.
It was all put on by Jacksonville's own soccer team, The Armada.

"We're organizing a few World Cup watch parties all around the U.S.," said
President of The Armada, Steve Livingstone. "It's fantastic for us to put this
on to rally the fans and show the team on!"
Fans didn't have to wait long for the home team to strike. The U.S. scored a
goal early in the match.
The excitement for the U.S. National team could help grow support for
Jacksonville's soccer team.
"I'm glad we have a team that is out here supporting the national team. It's
going to be a good thing for the city and the sport itself," said local soccer
fan Imir Flores.
Hundreds of people showed up for the watch party at The Landing in
Downtown Jacksonville. Some didn't know everything about the sport;
others actually play or coach the game, like the Castleman sisters.
"I'm going to play college, so this makes me more motivated to play," Kara
Castleman explained.
He sister shared that sentiment.
"I'm really glad to see the support here," Kayla Castleman said.
"We had the game in Jacksonville that was really awesome to see," Kayla
said, referencing last weekend's friendly international soccer match
between Team USA and Nigeria.
"We're just glad to be out here," she said, smiling and looking around at the
crowd gathered at The Landing.
The better the U.S. team does in the World Cup matches over the next
month, the more fans will have to cheer.
The Armada plans to put on more watch parties whenever Team USA plays.

Jacksonville Armada Hosts World Cup watch party
First Coast News
http://archive.firstcoastnews.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=36260082450
01

WTLV-JAX (NBC) First Coast News at 6:00 PM
June 16, 2014
First Coast News

It's a world cup watch
party hosting by the
Jacksonville Armada
football club, the new
soccer team in town that
begins playing next spring.
These US soccer fans were
going crazy when Clint
Dempsey scored in the first 30 seconds of the match against Ghana. It was
the quickest goal ever by a US soccer team in the world cup. So we're going
to be watching the fans reactions all night long here during the match.
Right now they are a little quiet.

The 10 Oclock News
WJXT Channel 4

Excitement continued to build at the landing, giant watch party with
hundreds of fans. All put on Jacksonvilles own soccer team. >> We were
organizing world cup watch party events all around the US games.
Hopefully they will get forward.

WAWS-JAX Action News at 10:30 pm
June 16, 2014
Action News Jax

Update of the final score - the Jacksonville Armada doing a nice job
building soccer fever around here.

Action News at 11:00 pm on CBS47
June 16,2014
Action News

The Jacksonville armada doing a nice job building soccer fever around here.
Former Bartram trail football and baseball star Kyle Parker got the call of a
lifetime -- called up to the big club - the Colorado Rockies -- the former
Clemson star is playing out field and first base in the minors - he's hitting
292. Sports wrap <11p break #3

Action News at 4:30 AM
June 17, 2014
Action News
The viewing party is at
Nippers beach grille in
Jacksonville Beach... this
Sunday... for 3 back-to-
back matches. The u-s will
take on Portugal at 6 p-m.

Action News at 5:30am
June 17,2014
Action News
ave a good tuesday Im Brent
Martineau action sports and
the Jacksonville Armada Futbol
Club= is hosting a second
watch party for fans... this
Sunday -- when the us men's
team plays next. There will be
food and drink offerings==
===competitions and giveaways.. At nippers beach grille in Jacksonville at
nippers beach grille in Jacksonville Beach... this Sunday... for 3 back-to-back
matches. The u-s will take on Portugal at 6 p-m.

Action News at 5:30am on CBS47
June 17, 2014
Action News
See you there - have a good
Tuesday Im Brent Martineau action
sports and the Jacksonville armada
football club= second watch is
hosting a party for fans... this
Sunday -- when the us men's team
plays next. There will be food and
drink offerings== ===competitions and giveaways.. At nippers beach
Jacksonville grille in at nippers beach grille in Jacksonville this Sunday... for
3 back-to-back matches. the u-s will take on Portugal at 6 p-m.

Action News at 6:00am
June 17, 2014
Action News

See you there - have a good
tuesday Im Brent
Martineau action sports and
the Jacksonville armada
football club= second watch
is hosting a party for fans...
this Sunday -- when the us
men's team plays next.
There will be food and drink
offerings== ===competitions and giveaways.. at nippers beach Jacksonville
grille in at nippers beach grille in Jacksonville this Sunday... for 3 back-to-
back matches. the u-s will take on Portugal at 6 p-m.

Action News at 6:00 am on CBS47
June 17, 2014
Action News

This Sunday... the
Jacksonville Armada is
hosting a watch party for 3
back-to-back matches
including the game against
Portugal. There will be
food...drinks... ==
competitions... == and
giveaways. == At nippers beach grille in Jacksonville Beach. The event kicks
off at 11 a-m.

Jacksonville fans celebrate US 2-1 World Cup win over
Ghana
June 17, 2014
Associated Press, news source.
First Coast News
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/story/sports/s
occer/world-cup/2014/06/16/dempsey-
brooks-us-ghana-world-cup/10643741/

NATAL, Brazil (AP) -- Clint Dempsey scored one
of fastest goals in World Cup history and John
Brooks scored the game winner on a header in
the 86th minute of a 2-1 U.S. victory over
Ghana, which had knocked the Americans out
of the previous two World Cups.
Dempsey's goal came on a low shot just 32
seconds into the match. The lead held until Ghana's Andre Ayew leveled in
the 82nd minute. Ayew's goal appeared to have stolen the victory from the
U.S., until Brooks' goal off a corner from Graham Zusi.
Dempsey' goal made him the first U.S. player to score in three different
World Cups and was the fastest ever scored by an American in the
tournament. The US is now tied with Germany atop of Group G.
At the Jacksonville Landing fans crowded the courtyard to watch the World
Cup as U.S.A. took on Ghana. Soccer is no doubt growing in popularity in
Jacksonville. More than 52,000 people filed into Everbank Field on June 7 to
watch the US men's national team beat Nigeria 2-1. And again Monday
night a large crowd of people rallied behind team USA.
USA fans all across the River City couldn't contain themselves as the
American squad kicked that final goal beating its nemesis Ghana.
"They've knocked us out the past couple of years but I'm thinking we can
get a little bit of redemption," said Nick Breines.
We caught up with Breines at the Landing before the game. He was
confident that for the U.S. the third time would be the charm. The Black
Stars have knocked the U.S. out of competition the last two go-rounds, in
2006 and 2010.
"I'm really excited," said soccer fan, Tyler Haynes. "I've been waiting for
four years."
Haynes is among the fans who chose to make a bold fashion statement
wearing a decorative headband with an American flag inspired bow on top.
"I definitely think it's a growing sport and gaining popularity especially here
in Jacksonville," said Ben Whitley.
The scene on June 7 at Everbank Field is a familiar one. Jacksonville hosted
the send-off match for team USA heading into the World Cup. The
momentum continued to build and came to a head Monday night.
"I got really nervous when we tied it up," yelled an excited fan. "I wasn't
sure we could come back but I had faith in my boys and we're number
one!"
Jacksonville Armada football club hosted Mondays watch party. They'll
host another watch party on Sunday June 22nd when USA plays against
Portugal.
It will be held from noon to 8 p.m. at Nippers Beach Grill.

Mark Frisch went from not caring about soccer to owning
the Armada FC
June 17,2014
Max Marbut, Financial News & Daily Record

In just 14 months, Mark Frisch went from not knowing very much or even
caring very much about soccer to being owner of one of the North
American Soccer Leagues new expansion teams, the Jacksonville Armada
Football Club.
Frisch described his rapid evolution in the soccer business Monday to the
Rotary Club of Jacksonville.
I didnt grow up playing soccer. I didnt grow up liking soccer. I watched it
every four years maybe, he said, referring to the FIFA World Cup soccer
championship, which is underway in Brazil.
That all changed May 26, 2012, when Frisch was invited to be on the field
before the U. S. Mens National Team vs. Scotland match at EverBank Field.
Being surrounded by more than 44,000 soccer fans and hearing the Star
Spangled Banner performed was described by Frisch as no better moment
in sports.
When the match began, he was impressed by the size and speed of the
players. By the time the fans were leaving the stadium, Frisch had a
different perspective on the sport and its future in Jacksonville.
I gained a new appreciation for soccer when I felt the fans experience, he
said. I decided we needed a professional soccer team in Jacksonville.
The next step, Frisch said, was to look into the pro soccer landscape, an
evaluation of what Jacksonvilles professional soccer options might be.
Frisch said he looked at Major League Soccer, but decided Jacksonville isnt
ready for the premier American league. That led him to look at the North
American Soccer League, which was the predominant professional soccer
league in the 1980s with teams including the New York Cosmos and Tampa
Bay Rowdies. The league had the top players, including Pele, and drew as
many as 80,000 fans to games. But the league failed financially and was
replaced by MLS in 1996, Frisch said.
The revived North American Soccer League comprises 13 teams, including
the Armada, and has a goal to expand to 18 teams by 2018.
Frisch described the franchise format as independent, with no league-
mandated salary cap. He said the teams players will be recruited from a
global free agency pool.
The 30-player roster may include a maximum of seven international
players. Frisch said he plans to sign as many as seven local soccer players to
the Armadas inaugural squad.
The rest will be guys looking to make MLS rosters, Frisch said.
Leading the recruiting effort will be Armada General Manager Dario Sala
and Jose Luis Villarreal, who was introduced last week as the Armadas first
head coach.
The coaching staff grew on Monday when Eduardo Frisacaro was named
first assistant coach and Fernando Argila Arque joined the Armada as
second assistant coach.
Interest in joining the team has been strong, Frisch said. As soon as the
franchise was awarded last July, his telephone began ringing and his email
inbox began to fill with messages and resumes.
When we announced our team here in little old Jacksonville, I started
getting emails and YouTube videos from all over the world, Frisch said. It
kind of caught me off guard.
Invitation-only tryouts will be conducted for actively recruited talent and
Frisch said open tryouts also will be on the teams schedule to give local
players the opportunity to compete for a spot on the roster.
Asked about Jacksonvilles history with professional soccer, which has been
a series of failures, Frisch said he didnt do any research on that subject.
We dont look at failures. We are focused on how we can be successful,
he said.
Frisch also said hes not counting on the team showing a profit or even
breaking even in its first season, which begins in April.
You have to plan to spend money to market the brand for a couple of
years. We will give fans a reason to come to a match and then give them a
great game day experience, he said.
The Armada hosted a U.S. vs. Ghana World Cup watch party Monday
evening at the Jacksonville Landing. On June 26, the team will host a World
Cup watch party from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Omni Hotel. Tickets are $30
per person or $300 for a table of 10, including lunch and a beer sampling
provided by the Engine 15 craft brewery.
Frisch said when he booked his appearance at Rotary, no one knew it would
be the U.S. teams first World Cup action.
Theres a little bit of destiny in everything in my life, he said.

World Cup popularity bodes well for soccer in Jacksonville
June 17, 2014
Alexa Epitropoulos, Jacksonville Business Journal
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2014/06/17/world-cup-
popularity-bodes-well-for-soccer-in.html?page=all

The 1-2 World Cup victory over Ghana represented a major triumph for the
U.S. team, but also the coming-of-age of a new soccer culture a scene
Jacksonville is at the center of.
As viewership of the World Cup increases dramatically in the U.S., up from
the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the popularity of soccer appears to be
rising.
No one knows that better than Mark Frisch, co-owner of Jacksonvilles first
national soccer team, Armada FC, who hosted a watch party for the game
on Monday night.
With the match, a lot of fans were coming out to support not only the U.S.
team, but what were trying to do, Frisch said.
Frisch said he sees a noticeable difference in excitement for soccer across
the board, including in Jacksonville.
There are more people talking about the World Cup now than there were
four years ago, Frisch said. Thats a positive development for us.
The popularity of the World Cup also has massive implications for
Jacksonvilles economy, which will celebrate Armada FCs inaugural season
in 2015.
Paul Astleford, president of Visit Jacksonville, says soccer is already
attracting fans from across the country, to the benefit of local hotels,
restaurants and stores.
Soccer didnt used to be a big thing, but now everyone is finding that it is
truly increasing in popularity, Astleford said. It will have a huge economic
impact.
The ascent of soccer in Jacksonville began in 2012, when 45,000 fans
attended the game between U.S. and Scotland at EverBank Field. This
months game between the U.S. and Nigeria attracted even more fans, with
52,000 in attendance.
The teams debut will only continue to cement Jacksonvilles reputation as
a destination for sports fans, Astleford said.
I think the timing of the Armada FC is perfect, Astleford said. It is starting
to magnify Jacksonville as a sports community and were loving it.

Action News at 6:00pm on CBS47
June 18, 2014
Action News

The united states had the day off down in brazil -- a rest day before their
match coming up on Sunday night against Portugal the Jacksonville armada
hosting another watch party -- it's been moved from nipper's grill to the
shim sham room. trt - 5 oc - oh what a response Stuart Webbers homeland
of the Netherlands against Australia today..

Action News at 10:30
pm
June 18, 2014
Action News

The Jacksonville Armada is hosting another watch party -- it's been moved
from nipper's grill to the shim sham room. trt - 5 oc - oh what a response
that was a tremendous goal by Australia to tie the Netherlands in the first
half -- off the volley, crossbar and in, but in the end Stuart Webbers
homeland of the..

June 19, 2014
Action News

The Jacksonville Armada
Football Club is hosting a
free official watch party this
Sunday for that match.. It
has been moved to the shim
sham room in Jacksonville
Beach. The party starts at 4 with live music == prizes and giveaways == USA
takes on Portugal at 6.

Action at 5:00 am on CBS 47
June 19, 2014
Action News

football club is hosting a free
official watch party this
Sunday for that match. It has
been moved to the shim
sham room in Jacksonville the
party start beach. At 4 with
live music == prizes and giveaways == USA takes on Portugal at 6.

Action News at 5 am on CBS 47
June 19, 2014
Action News

Meanwhile -- team u-s-a will wait
until Sunday to take on Portugal..
The Jacksonville armada football
club is hosting a free official watch
party this Sunday for that match. It
has been moved to the shim sham
room in Jacksonville the party start
beach. At 4 with live music == prizes
and giveaways == USA takes on Portugal

Action News at 5:00 am on CBS 47
June 19, 2014
Action News

Meanwhile -- team u-s-a will wait
until Sunday to take on Portugal.
club is hosting a free official watch
party this Sunday for that match. It
has been moved to the shim sham
room in Jacksonville.

No Plans? No Problem! Things To Do This Weekend
June 20, 2014
Patrick Donges
Kerry Speckman
WJCT Online
http://news.wjct.org/post/no-plans-no-problem-things-do-weekend-first-
coast-19

Sunday, June 22 Jacksonville Armada Football Club and the Jacksonville
Sports Council host a World Cup watch party at Shim Sham Room as the
U.S. takes on Portugal at on Sunday evening. The free event, which includes
live music, lawn games, prizes and giveaways, starts at noon and runs
through the end of the match, which is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. More
info at ArmadaFC.com.

Listen: Armada Soccer Show 6 20 14
SportsRadio 930 AM
June 20, 2014
armada-soccer-show-54742/listen-armada-
soccer-show-6-20-12486823/

June 21, 2014
Action News

Jacksonville armada f-c is hosting
another team u-s-a watch party
tomorrow night. this was
originally scheduled for been
moved to shim nippers but has
sham room down game time on
jax beach. Tomorrow is six p- m.
bit of a shocker here but if you
missed the first 90 minutes of
Argentina Iran you didn't miss anything. It wasn't until stoppage time when
Lionel messi saves his argentine squad from an unexpected draw keeper. By
beating the one nothing Argentina the final, nearly a huge shocker.

June 21, 2014
Channel 4 News
Tomorrow the Jacksonville
armada showing watch
parties. It starts tomorrow at
4:00. You can check out the
details on arrest -- armada
fc.com.

WJXT Channel 4 News at 6 pm
June 22, 2014
WJXT

The Jacksonville armada at the player's grille on Hendricks Avenue. Other
events tonight are going on in Jacksonville Beach. One is at nippers beach
grille on Beach Boulevard. The other is at the shim sham room on 1st
street. The match just started, and if the u-s wins tonight -- they cement
their spot in the round of 16.

Action News
June 23, 2014

Scenes like that one at the
Jacksonville armada's
watch party... were all
across the country
Sunday. After Portugal
came in to tie 2-2 with the
u-s in the world cup. Action sports Brent Martineau and Dan Hicken have all
the soccer fever in your Monday morning sports.

June 23, 2014
Action News

watch party...were seen
all across the country
Sunday. After the u-s
scored their second goal.
But the good times were
short- lived.

June 23, 2014
Action News
watch party...were seen
all across the country
Sunday. After the u-s
scored their second goal.
But the good times were
short- lived.

Packed Jacksonville Beach bars bodes well for Armada Football Club
June 23,2014
Catherine Byerly, Jacksonville Business Journal
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2014/06/23/packed-
jacksonville-beach-bars-bodes-well-for.html

Public parking lots at Jacksonville Beach were full before the 6 p.m. World
Cup game Sunday, and representatives from the Armada Football Club
were out in full force, converting enthusiasm for the international event
into awareness of the local team.
If the lack of parking didn't spell it out, the lines
to get in the bars did clearly there's a good
population in the Jacksonville community cares
that about soccer.
Within minutes of the game starting,
Jacksonville Beach bar Shim Sham was at
capacity. Fans stood in the open air porch in
the rain chanting "I believe that we will win."
Armada marketing head Matt Verrecchia said, "It's one more example of
the passion for soccer we have in this community."
The Shim Sham Room event was one of many that the Armada team is
setting up to build awareness for Jacksonville's new soccer team.
While Verracchia said he expected to be a success, feedback from the
community has "exceeded all of our expectations."
Despite not having a venue nailed down, he said the team has sold over
2,000 season tickets.
The popularity of the World Cup also has massive implications for
Jacksonvilles economy, with Armada FCs inaugural season coming up in
2015.
Sunday wasn't the end of the road for the U.S. soccer team, or Armada
events: Together with the Jacksonville Sports Council, the team is hosting a
World Cup business luncheon Thursday to watch the U.S. team take on
Germany.
The luncheon, held at the Downtown Omni Hotel, will feature:
Live ESPN broadcast of the U.S. v Germany match on large-screen TV-
Pre-match and half-time speakers including U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame
and former NASL goalkeeper Arnie Mausser; Daniel Davis, president,
JAX Chamber president; Alan Verlander, COO, Jacksonville Sports;
Mark Frisch, owner & CEO, Armada FC; Dario Sala, general manager,
Armada FC
Lunch inspired by World Cup countries Germany, Portugal, Ghana
and the U.S
Autographs from Armada FC Head Coach Jose Luis Villarreal
Engine 15 beer sampling
World Cup trivia, competitions and prizes
Tickets for the event, which runs from 11:30 a.m to 2 p.m., are $30 per
person or $300 for a table of 10.

Jacksonville Armada Soccer
June 24, 2014
Channel 4 (WJXT)

Soccer is a growing presence in
Jacksonville with a new team
called the Jacksonville Armada
World Cup fever is taking over.
The U-S Mens National Team's
last match against Portugal was
the most viewed soccer game in
U-S HISTORY. A record 24
MILLION viewers were watching.
And as team U-S-A prepares for
Germany - that record could be broken again. We know many people here
in Jacksonville are watching. Joining me this morning to talk about to
growing presence of soccer in Jacksonville and the new addition of
Jacksonville's own soccer team is Jacksonville Armada F-C President, Steve
Livingstone. Talking points- how is world cup affecting a team like Jax
Armada? - What does this mean for the sport of soccer on a whole - talk
about Jacksonville Armada FC and what it means for Jacksonville - Jax
Armada held watch parties for the past games - what was the atmosphere
like? - What does USMNT need to do in order to beat Germany? You can
team up with Jacksonville Armada FC at the downtown Omni Hotel for a
networking lunch in support of the USA as they take on Germany. Its
Thursday from 11am to 2pm. Tickets is 30 dollars a person - or you can get
a table of 10 for 3-hundred dollars. That includes a three-course lunch and
beer samples from Engine 15.

WXPI- Real Madrid Foundation/Jacksonville Armada
Player Development Clinics
June 24, 2014
WXPI-Pittsburg, PA
http://www.wpxi.com/events/events/outdoors-
recreation/real-madrid-foundationjacksonville-
armada-player/eCKqHk/

The clinics will bring former players from Real
Madrid, one of the world's premier professional
soccer clubs, and coaches from the Real Madrid
Foundation to Northeast Florida for a series of
eight competitive clinics. The clinics are designed
to develop the talents and skills of the best young players in the region
while exposing them to other players, new coaches, new instruction and
professional programs. Over the course of the week, players will take part
in practices, games, presentations and special positional sessions. Each
clinic includes five days of top coaching by world-class Real Madrid
Foundation coaches, exclusive training T-shirt, gift bag including souvenir T-
shirt and Armada FC tickets, closing presentation and certificate and a
chance to win a trip for two to see Real Madrid play in Spain.

Jacksonville's own soccer team, Armada FC, plans
networking party for Thursday's U.S. World Cup game
June, 24 2014
Roger Bull, Florida Times-Union
http://jacksonville.com/business/2014-06-24/story/jacksonvilles-own-
soccer-team-armada-fc-plans-networking-party-thursdays

Watching soccer can be pretty rowdy stuff, what with the face painting, the
costumes, the chants.
So Steve Livingstone doesnt know what to expect for what hes arranging
Thursday a businesspersons lunch to watch the United States play
Germany in the World Cup. What he does know is that there will be a
crowd. Hes already got 250 people signed up to gather at the Omni
Jacksonville Hotel for lunch, networking, beer and soccer.
Livingstone is president of the Jacksonville Armada FC, the North American
Soccer League team that begins play next year in Jacksonville. Since the
team was announced earlier this year, its been hosting soccer watching
parties at various bars. But its picked it up for the World Cup.
He said about 2,000 people attended two events for the U.S.-Portugal game
on Sunday. Now comes Thursdays noon game that will determine whether
the U.S. will advance in the World Cup or not.
Because of the lunch hour, he said, instead of a party in the pub, we
thought wed have more of a business atmosphere.
So he got with the Jacksonville Sports Council and came up with the
business luncheon. There will be speakers before the game and at half
time. There will be lunch. And then there will be the game at noon on large-
screen TVs.
Engine 15, a Jacksonville Beach brewery, will supply the beer.
It will be interesting to see what kind of response we have, he said.
Hopefully some of the businessmen will show their colors.The Armada
kicks off next April, but hasnt announced where it will play yet. Livingstone
said theyre looking at a temporary facility, perhaps the University of North
Florida or the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville, for the first few years.
But he said the team hopes to build a downtown stadium by 2018.
Tickets for Thursdays luncheon, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. are $30 per person,
$300 for a table of 10; www.armadafc.com, (844) 227-6232.

First Coast News at 11:00 pm
June 25, 2014
First Coast News

As a huge soccer community in
Jacksonville and has been a long
time. >> Reporter: he serves at
president of the football club. Hes
watched as the popularity has
grown and is banking on the
continued growth. The world cup is
giving them a boost. Capitalizing on
team USA's talent. Around 500 supporters at landing for the US vs. Ghana
and the USA tied to Portugal and sold without 300 people antidepressed.
>> soccer. Theyre very passional. I don't think they can wait professional
soccer return to Jacksonville. And we can't wait to get to you. >> Keitha
Nelson reporting tonight. He goes onto say they're aiming to make a final
decision on the stadium they'll play in July. The next step is to start building
the team itself. Theyll have a series of open tryouts. If you're interested,
the armada football club's gold is to have their own stadium by 2018.

First Coast News @ 4:30
June 26, 2014
First Coast News

Soccer fever is catching on and has
reached new levels in the river city.
club is cashing in on all of the world
cup excitement. The team has
narrowed down two sites for play in
the upcoming 2015 season. The
baseball grounds in downtown and the university of north Florida soccer
stadium are in its sights. Even though a final decision has not been made
and the team is still being formed, around 2,000 people have already
purchased season tickets. @11:12 Steve Livingstone/pres."Our fans are
there... to them either." capitalizing on team USA's talent, the armada
football club has hosted parties for fans and will continue as the team
advances. An estimated 500 soccer fans gathered at the landing for the US
versus Ghana game, 2,000 people packed into nippers and the shim sham
room, as the US tied to Portugal. And for todays game against Germany,
the team is hosting a luncheon at the Omni Jacksonville hotel. The event is
sold out.

June 26, 2014

Team USA is just hours away
with its showdown with
Germany in the world cup. The
game happens at noon today our
time. Meanwhile, soccer fever
has reached new levels in the
river city. The Jacksonville
armada football club is cashing
in on all of the world cup
excitement. Theyve narrowed down two sites for play in the upcoming
2015 season. The baseball grounds in downtown and the university of
north Florida soccer stadium are in their sights. even though a final decision
has not been made and the team is still being formed, around 2,000 people
have already purchased season tickets. @11:12 Steve Livingstone,
president. "Our fans are there... to them either." capitalizing on team USA's
talent, the armada football club has hosted parties for has hosted football
club armada talent, the on team USA's capitalizing on team USA's talent,
the armada football club has hosted parties for fans and will continue as
the team advances. For todays game against Germany, they're hosting a
luncheon at the Omni Jacksonville hotel. But, the event is sold out. 300
people are anticipated to attend

Good Morning Jacksonville
June 26, 2014
First Coast News

The Jacksonville Armada football club
is cashing in on all of the world cup
excitement. Theyve narrowed down
two sites for play in the upcoming 2015 season. The baseball grounds in
downtown and the university of north Florida soccer stadium are in their
sights. Even though a final decision has not been made and the team is still
being formed, around 2,000 people have already purchased season tickets.
Steve Livingstone/pr es."Our fans are there... to them either." capitalizing
on team USA's talent the armada football club has hosted parties for fans
and will continue as the team advances. Theyre even hosting a luncheon at
the Omni Jacksonville hotel for the game today. We have a list of places you
can go to watch the game -- at first coast news dot com. the u-s the u-s
soccer coach has an excuse for you and your boss to miss work.
Local Businesses banking on U.S. Soccer Team
June 26, 2014
Lorena Inclan, Action News Jax
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/n
ews/local-businesses-banking-us-soccer-
team/ngTFJ/

Soccer fever has taken a firm grip on
Jacksonville, and it's not letting go. Meanwhile, businesses are raking in the
cash.

The enthusiasm is evident anywhere you go in Jacksonville Beach on game
day. Bars rolled out their red, white and blue game announcements on
marquees and there was even a line outside of Lynch's Irish Pub, in
Jacksonville Beach.

Inside Lynch's, "I believe we will win" chants took over the room. The bar
reached capacity at noon on a Thursday. Down the road at Sneaker's, there
wasn't an empty seat.

Downtown Jacksonville also got in on the action. The Jacksonville Armada
held a watch party at the Omni Hotel. Lynch's general manager, Keith
Doherty, said the cash register hasn't stopped since the send-off match at
EverBank field.

"For example, our game on Sunday when we played Portugal, we probably
did the same type of business as we would on a New Year's Eve or a
Florida-Georgia weekend," said Doherty. - See more at:
http://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/news/local-businesses-banking-us-
soccer-team/ngTFJ/#sthash.MNCXMJYo.dpuf
Groups like American Outlaws, which dedicates itself to gaining support for
the United States national soccer teams, are adding to the growth in
popularity. The Jacksonville chapter president, Matthew Calise, said since
the start of the World Cup this year, they've gained 4,000 new members
nationally.

He and about a dozen other members head to local bars every time there is
a game.

"Four years ago, we couldn't have imagined that this is where we'd be.
There were people waiting outside to get in the bar," said Calise.

Doherty said if there was any doubt before, this year's World Cup has
proven Jacksonville is a soccer city and he hopes the craze is here to stay.

"Next year we have Copa America. If we can get games here in Jacksonville,
it's definitely a benefit to the city and obviously there's a trickle-down
effect to the businesses," said Doherty.

According to the director of the Gator Bowl, Alan Verlander, it's possible
Jacksonville could throw its name in the ring for the opportunity to host a
Copa America game.

Meanwhile, the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce president and CEO,
Daniel Davis, said he's confident the Jacksonville Armada will keep the
soccer craze going. - See more at:
"We have thousands of people come to our community and spend money
in our community and enjoy a really exciting time, so we look at all our
different sporting events to be able to do that. We've seen history of being
able to do that, and we know that the Armada is going to do the same
thing," said Davis.

Commercials promoting the team have aired during World Cup matches in
the hopes of it translating into ticket purchases.

"We've always known that soccer is a hotbed here in Jacksonville; a lot of
people are participating and getting involved in it," said Steve Livingstone,
president of the Jacksonville Armada.

Verlander said this year's World Cup solidifies Jacksonville not just as a
soccer city but also as a soccer sport destination. He said they're working to
attract Major League Soccer teams to hold their spring training in
Jacksonville and bring more friendlies to the area. Leaders are working to
bring more women's soccer matches, as well.

Adding more to the local soccer excitement is the Real Madrid Foundation.
The organization is hosting soccer clinics in Jacksonville through August. At
the end of the clinics one young soccer player will have the chance to travel
to Spain to watch the team play in-person.

In the meantime, the U.S. Men's National Team advances to the round of
16, giving local businesses yet another opportunity to shine. - See more at:

First Coast at Noon
June 26, 2014
First Coast News
Good afternoon ... Im Katie Jeffries.
Not a lot work is getting done right
now because the u-s is about to take
on Germany in the world cup. Right
now, the game is just getting started
in a very soggy Recife, Brazil. Take a
look at this picture that team u-s-a posted on twitter this morning. It says,
"flooding in Recife. Teddy Goalsevelt guiding our car through the tough
waters. Onwards to the stadium! Despite 6 to 8 inches of standing water,
the game is still being played. And our Lindsey Boetsch is live at a local
world cup watch party. Lindsey ... good afternoon Katie! Yes -- we are at
the Omni hotel here in Jacksonville the Jacksonville armada football club is
hosting a watch party here... this is just one of thousands of watch parties
around the country today... let's take another look at the flooding in Recife.
They had 2 to 5 of rain this morning in a very short period of time. Tim ...
you were telling me earlier that the rain they got today in Recife is very
similar to what we get during a noreaster? Sticking with the world cup for a
second ... Suarez has been suspended for four months for biting an Italian
player. Opponent. The ban is effective immediately. That means, Suarez has
been ruled out of the rest of the world cup and the start of the upcoming
premier league season. The Jacksonville armada football club is cashing in
on all of the world cup excitement. Theyve narrowed down two sites for
play in the upcoming 2015 season. The baseball grounds in downtown and
the university of north Florida soccer stadium are in their sights. Even
though a final decision has not been made and the team is still being
formed, around 2,000 people have already purchased season tickets.

First Coast gears up for World Cup match against
Germany

June 26, 2014
Keitha Nelson, First Coast News
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/story/sports/s
occer/world-cup/2014/06/25/world-cup-
germany-us-brazil/11388453/
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Soccer fever is
catching on and has reached new levels
in the River City. The Jacksonville Armada Football Club is cashing in on all
of the World Cup excitement.
They've narrowed down two sites for play in the upcoming 2015 season.
The Baseball Grounds in downtown and the University of North Florida
soccer stadium are in their sights. Even though a final decision has not been
made and the team is still being formed, around 2,000 people have already
purchased season tickets.
In May of 2012 approximately 44,000 thousand people poured into
Everbank Stadium as Team USA took on Scotland. Two years later around
52,000 people crowded Everbank to watch the U.S. beat Nigeria.
"There's a huge soccer community in Jacksonville and there has been for a
long time," said Steve Livingstone.
He serves as the President of the Armada Football Club. Livingstone has
watched as the sport's popularity has grown over the years in Jacksonville.
He says the World Cup is giving them a boost. Capitalizing on Team U.S.A's
talent they've hosted parties for fans and will continue as the team
advances.
An estimated 500 soccer fans gathered at the Landing for the U.S. Versus
Ghana game, 2,000 people packed into Nippers and The Shim Sham Room,
as the U.S. tied to Portugal. And for Thursday's game against Germany, The
Armada Football Club is hosting a luncheon at the Omni Jacksonville Hotel.
The event is sold out. 300 people are anticipated to attend.
"Our fans are there, it's soccer they are very passionate about it," said
Livingstone. "I don't think they can wait to see professional soccer return to
Jacksonville. And we can't wait to give it to them either."
Livingstone says they're aiming to make a final decision on a playing site in
July. The Next step is to start building the team itself.
The Armada will have a series of open tryouts in the next few weeks. The
Armada Football Club's goal is to have its own stadium 2018.

Armada FC and Jacksonville Sports Council hosting
#IBelieve luncheon
June 26, 2014
Courtney Jones, First Coast News WTLV
http://www.firstcoastnews.com/story/sports/soccer/world-
cup/2014/06/26/armada-fc-jacksonville-sports-council-hostin--ibelieve-
luncheon/11434531/
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. Jacksonville Armada FC and the Jacksonville Sports
Council hosted a business-networking luncheon on Thursday, June 26 as
the US took on Germany in the World Cup Group G decider match.
Over 400 people showed up to the luncheon that kicked off at 11 a.m. with
special pre-game presentations by Daniel Davis, president, JAX Chamber;
Alan Verlander, executive director, Jacksonville Sports Council; and others.

World Cup fever buoys interest in Armada soccer
June 26, 2014
http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2014/06/26/world-cup-
fever-buoys-interest-in-armada-soccer.html?page=all

If the sold-out World Cup-watching party sponsored by the Armada
Football Club today was any indication, Jacksonville is without a doubt a
soccer town.
Workers poured out of office towers Downtown to gather around large-
screen TVs set up in an Omni Hotel ballroom and root on the U.S. national
soccer team as it took on Germany in the World Cup earlier this afternoon.
I think we have a really good chance *to win+ with the quality of our
players ... plus, theyre really motivated, said Dario Sala, general manager
of the Armada Football Club.
The Jacksonville-based franchise, which will begin playing in spring 2015,
has begun assembling its leadership team in recent months including
picking up Sala, a former professional soccer player from Argentina.
Its a great time to introduce professional soccer in Jacksonville, said Sala.
We couldnt have picked a better time, really.
Surveying the crowd many wearing either patriotic red-white-and-blue
or the blue-and-gold of the Armadas team colors it was clear that
interest in soccer in Jacksonville seems at an all-time high. Of course, the
live broadcast of the USA v. Germany matchup at a prime afternoon time
slot in the North American time zone probably didnt hurt, either.
At $30 per person, attendees could enjoy a buffet with foods inspired by
the countries playing today: hamburger (United States), rice with
vegetables (Ghana), spice-rubbed chicken (Portugal) and Vienna sausage
(Germany). That, and the raucous atmosphere created by hundreds of fans
hoping to see the U.S. team advance in real time (which they later did with
the loss of Ghana to Portugal, even as Germany ended up beating the
United States).
Thirty-one-year-old Annie Howe came with her friend Sue Kowalewski, 47.
The two women have already purchased season tickets for the Armadas
inaugural season.
My dad is from England, so I grew up with football *soccer+, not American
football, in my house, said Howe. I played it growing up, and Ive seen
Jacksonville become much more of a soccer town through the years.
America more so, too.
Steve Livingtone, president of marketing for the Armada FC, is originally
from Scotland where soccer was as popular as football is here. The irony is
that Livingtone became involved with the NFL, eventually rising to a
management position with the Jacksonville Jaguars, which he voluntarily
left this year to take a job with the Armada.
I pinch myself every day who wouldnt want to go back to your
childhood passion? said Livingstone.
Hes confident the Armada are on their way to developing a big following
here in Jacksonville.
This is a big soccer community here in Northeast Florida, with a lot of
activity and interest at the youth level and now a whole other group of
fans, Livingtone said. Were growing a community of soccer fans almost
every day it seems.
Indeed.
More than 2,000 Armada season tickets have already been sold.
And thats without the players being announced or where were going to
play, said Sala. The response has been just amazing.

Jacksonville soccer fans gathered in sports bars and at
watch parties across the city to tune into what was
ultimately a losing World Cup match for the U.S. mens
national soccer team.
June 26, 2014
Meredith Rutland, Florida Times- Union
http://members.jacksonville.com/news/
metro/2014-06-26/story/us-fans-enjoy-
mid-day-soccer-break-despite-loss

Throughout the game, fans were on edge.
It was hard not to be since the U.S.
already tied their last match by allowing a
last-minute goal from Portugal, meaning
this game could kick them out of the
World Cup.
Im just consistently nervous throughout the whole thing, said downtown
employee Megan Schumann.
Soccer fans munched on burgers and chewy pretzels at the Jacksonville
Armada FCs watch party at the Omni hotel as two large screens displayed
ESPNs telecast of the game from Brazil.
As the match started, soccer fans abandoned their half-eaten plates and
focused on the action.
Fans came to the lunch decked out in American flag hats and red, white and
blue accessories over their business clothes. Some wore the navy blue
scarves of the Jacksonville Armada FC.
Jacksonville resident Pam Moore came to the watch party with red pants
and a red, white and blue baseball cap.
Supporting the national team is about more than just this one competition.
Its about getting more Americans interested in soccer in general. The U.S.,
after all, is football country, but maybe a World Cup win will help change
that.
At Lillians sports bar on the Westside, Jim Hughes watched as the German
team defeated the U.S. 1-0. Despite the loss, he said it was fun to watch the
game with friends and enjoy the energy in the restaurant.
The place has just been packed and electric, he said.
As the energy died down, fans watched post-game coverage and finished
their meals.
Theres no fault in our Stars and Stripes, one viewer joked.
The U.S. team moved on to the next round despite the loss and plays again
Tuesday.

U.S. soccer fans enjoy mid-day soccer break despite loss
June 26, 2014
Meredith Rutland, Florida Times-Union
http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2014-06-26/story/us-fans-enjoy-mid-
day-soccer-break-despite-loss

Jacksonville soccer fans gathered in
sports bars and at watch parties
across the city to tune into what was
ultimately a losing World Cup match
for the U.S. mens national soccer
team.
Throughout the game, fans were on
edge. It was hard not to be since the
U.S. already tied their last match by
allowing a last-minute goal from Portugal, meaning this game could kick
them out of the World Cup.
Im just consistently nervous throughout the whole thing, said downtown
employee Megan Schumann.
Soccer fans munched on burgers and chewy pretzels at the Jacksonville
Armada FCs watch party at the Omni hotel as two large screens displayed
ESPNs telecast of the game from Brazil.
As the match started, soccer
fans abandoned their half-eaten
plates and focused on the
action.
Fans came to the lunch decked
out in American flag hats and
red, white and blue accessories
over their business clothes.
Some wore the navy blue
scarves of the Jacksonville
Armada FC.
Jacksonville resident Pam Moore came to the watch party with red pants
and a red, white and blue baseball cap.
Supporting the national team is about more than just this one competition.
Its about getting more Americans interested in soccer in general. The U.S.,
after all, is football country, but maybe a World Cup win will help change
that.
At Lillians sports bar on the Westside, Jim Hughes watched as the German
team defeated the U.S. 1-0. Despite the loss, he said it was fun to watch the
game with friends and enjoy the energy in the restaurant.
The place has just been packed and electric, he said.
As the energy died down, fans watched post-game coverage and finished
their meals.
Theres no fault in our Stars and Stripes, one viewer joked.
The U.S. team moved on to the next round despite the loss and plays again
Tuesday.

June 26, 2014
Action News

Our crews out today spotted
thousands of fans rooting on the
u-s team...including here at the
armada f-c watch party at the
Omni hotel. Action news has
team coverage of the u-s soccer
success. Starting with action news Lorena Inclan... Lorena..there were a lot
of excited people at those parties today.

First Coast News at 5:30pm
June 26, 2014
First Coast News
Lindsey Boetsch shows us
how one organization in
Jacksonville is hoping to score
big. Look live intro: usually
fun food and football means
jaguars here in Jacksonville
but today people are wearing
red white and blue to support
the USA. A lot of people at the Omni hotel for the armada football club's
gathering to watch the game, and it means a little bit more to the people of
the armada than just this soccer game. Bite: Steve Livingstone, armada
president: "I think it's a huge testament to how well the us team has been
playing, and all of the enthusiasm that is building around that. Its just great
to see people coming out, to join the support for the us, and really
appreciate the beautiful game." bite: fango USA! Im American since 2000,
so I love this country, support this country and I just love it!bite: fana lot of
people just watch it during the world cup but I think it's going beyond that.
Bite: fan it's great for the country; you feel that the country is coming
together, and if it takes sports to do that, it's great. Id like to see soccer
become more popular in the United States. It's world wide, the passion and
the excitement is great. Standup: and the folks with the armada hope this
fan base continues into their season next year. Livingstone "obviously it's
going to be pretty important to connect with some of the people here
today, to get them involved in the armada to capitalize on that, and
hopefully put 10,000 fans at our games when we start to play next year.
Standup: so, either way Jacksonville fans are excited to continue supporting
soccer here in the river city at the Omni. Fans flocked to downtown
Orlando to watch the big match-up in Brazil. The workday came to a stop as
thousands packed Wall Street to cheer on team USA.

Action News at 6:00 on CBS 47
June 26, 2014
Action News

Jacksonville's newest
franchise...the armada football
club is capitalizing on world cup
fever...airing commercials during
matches...hoping that will
translate into tickets purchases.
Livingstone, armada president 7:02 we've always known that soccer is a hot
bed here in Jacksonville a lot of people participating and getting involved in
it leaders tell me they hope to attract major league soccer teams to train in
Jacksonville during the spring...the city says it's also throwing it's hat in the
ring in the hopes of getting a Copa America next year. 12:25 whenever we
can bring more people to our community enjoy a great time a safe time in
an environment that is exciting they're going to see what we are all about
everyone from leaders to business owners

Action News at 10:00 pm
June 26, 2014
Action News

Downtown Jacksonville also got in
on the action with a watch party.
It was hosted by the Jacksonville
armada at the Omni hotel. Keith
Doherty, General Manager of
lynch's 6:03 as long as the us
soccer authorities recognize that
Jacksonville is a hub for soccer and actually gives us more games in the
future I think that will perpetuate the chances of longevity here that we are
going to be a soccer town leaders say. Armada FC will fill in the gap after
the world cup is over. But they will continue working to bring other soccer
matches to the river city.

Armada and Sports Council Watching Party
June 26,2014
Bruce Lipsky, Florida Times-Union
http://jacksonville.com/slideshow/2014-06-26/armada-and-sports-council-watching-
party-0%23slide-7#slide-1

The fans react to Germany scoring a goal. The Jacksonville Armada FC and the
Jacksonville Sports Council hosted a business luncheon and watching party for the USA
vs. Germany World Cup match on Thursday, June 26, 2014, at the Omni Jacksonville in
Jacksonville, Florida.

Listen: Armada Soccer Show 6 27 14
June 27, 2014
Sports Radio 930AM
armada-soccer-show-54742/listen-armada-
soccer-show-6-27-12511812/

Despite loss, World Cup watching party is a hit
June 27, 2014
Max Marbut, Financial News and Daily Record

More than 300 people were in the ballroom at
the Omni Hotel on Thursday to watch the U.S.
Mens Soccer Team lose to Germany 1-0 in a
World Cup match in Recife, Brazil.

Fortunately for the Americans, while they were
playing their match, Portugal beat Ghana 2-1
allowing the U.S. team to advance on goal
difference to the next round.
Before the match began, Jacksonville Sports Council Executive Director Alan
Verlander said he was impressed by the sold-out crowd that came to watch
a soccer game on television at midday on a Thursday.
This is a serious statement that Jacksonvilles sports community and its
soccer community are coming together, he said. There is an energy
around Jacksonville. Were breaking out and becoming the sports entity we
know we can be.
Jacksonville Armada Football Club owner Mark Frisch also was impressed
with the turnout for the soccer-watching party and business networking
luncheon. This is incredible, he said.
Frisch said the Armada has sold more than 2,000 season tickets, although
the team wont play its first game until April. He also said he would
announce within a few weeks where the Armada will play next season,
likely either the University of North Florida or the Baseball Grounds of
Jacksonville.
The U.S. Mens Team will play Belgium on Tuesday.

Jacksonville Armada on WAWS-JAX
June 28, 2014
Action News

Despite coming off a
loss against group winner
Germany. The runner up finish
in-group does mean the u-s gets
a tougher opponent in the form
of Belgium. Well see if jurgen
klinsman waffles on his lineup
heading into Thursday
matchup. One thing you can be
sure of is that the folks in Jacksonville will be watching. Thursdays
game against Germany drew big crowds across the river city, I was at
colanes and you could hardly move around the place. The
Jacksonville armada will host another watch party for the round of
sixteen this time at black fin in the town center. Speaking of the armada,
team leaders announcing they will have open tryouts throughout
the month of July and beyond so if you think you can dribble with the best
of them get some more information at armada f-c dot com. I had a chance
to catch up with n-a- s-l commissioner bill Peterson recently and get his
thoughts on how Jacksonville's soccer team is progressing. Very
successful person by the way a Ponte Vedra resident so he'll get a first
hand look at the growth of this team. More soccer talk right after a
quick timeout. Including your world cup update, we've got our
first shootout and it's Brazil on the brink.

Armada +soccer on WAWS JAX (Fox)-
June 29, 2014
Stuart Webber
Action News Sports 360

Talk of the town and
while the best in the
world compete in
brazil, the Lamar hunt
u-s open seeks to
find the best
soccer team in the
states. Imagine
a tournament between
all the m- l-b teams as
well as those in triple-a, double-a, etc. the future home of the Armada f-c
is the n-a-s-l and with the cup down to eight, two hail from that league. I
had a chance to chat with league commissioner Bill Peterson about that
success and the impact of the world cup. trt - 37 oc - before the
world cup more soccer oc - before the world cup more soccer news from
today as former Brazilian star kaka will be coming to the sunshine
state. Kaka is set to join Orlando city s-c next year when they join the m-l-
s. Kaka most recently played for a-c Milan in Italy.

June 30, 2014
Action News
If you want to watch the team
u- s-a game == with the
Jacksonville armada football
club. == That watch party is at
Blackfinn at the town center.
The game is tomorrow at 4 p-
m. And no -- Belgium waffles
allowed until after the match is over.

June 30, 2014
Action News

If you want to watch the team u- s-a
game == with the Jacksonville
armada football club. == That watch
party is at black Finn at the town
center. The game is tomorrow at 4
p-m. And no -- Belgium waffles
allowed until after the match is
over.

Jozy Altidore cleared to play
June 30, 2014
Michael Kelly
WJXT-Online

SALVADOR, BRAZIL -
Jozy Altidore has been cleared to play for Team USA on Tuesday against
Belgium, but how much he will actually play remains a question.
"It's difficult to say how many minutes," said head coach Jurgen Klinsmann.
Altidore injured his left hamstring back on June 16th in the U.S. win over
Ghana in the first match of the World Cup. He did not play the next two
games against Portugal and Germany.
The U.S. plays Belgium on Tuesday afternoon at 4 PM. The Jacksonville
Armada will host a World Cup watch party at Blackfinn in St. Johns Town
Center.

Action News at 5:30pm on CBS 47
Action News WTEV-JAX (CBS)
June 30, 2014

Whether the United
States world cup will
be decided in 24
hours. The u-s will take on
Belgium in the knockout
round tomorrow.
The match starts at 4 p-
m. You can cheer on the u-
s with
football club. Its hosting a watch party at Blackfinn at the St. Johns town
center.

July 1, 2014
Action News

Team u-s-a will take on
Belgium in the
knockout round. The
match starts at 4 p-m. You
can cheer on the u-s with
football club. It is hosting
a watch party at blackfinn
at the Saint Johns
town center.

July 1, 2014
Action News

Take on Belgium in the
knockout round. The match
starts at 4 p-m. You can cheer
on the u-s with
football club. it is hosting
a watch party at blackfinn at
the saint johns town center.

July 1, 2014 5:50 am
WTLV First Coast News

Armada will be hosting an armada will be hosting a world cup fan watch
party today as Belgium takes on team u-s-a. The soccer game will start at 4
this afternoon. But the watch party will begin at 3 and end at 6 at Black Finn
grill. Not only do you get to not only do you get to watch the game you can
get an autograph from armada head coach. Entry will be free.

Good Morning Jacksonville
July 1, 2014
WTLV-JAX NBC First Coast News

And Jacksonvilles own soccer team will host a world cup fan watch party
today -- for free! The watch party will start at 3 over at Black Finn grill. Not
only do you get to watch the game you can get an autograph from armada
head coach. Theres also a similar event over at the Jacksonville landing
as well.

WAWS-JAX Action News at 8:00 am
July 1, 2014
Action News

You can cheer on the US with the Jacksonville Armada football club at black
fin at the St. Johns town center.

First Coast News at Noon
July 1, 2014
First Coast News WTLV Jacks (NBC)

The Armada will be hosting an armada will be hosting a world cup fan
watch party today as Belgium takes on team u-s-a. The soccer game will
start at 4 this afternoon. But the watch party will begin at 3 and end at 6
at black finn grill. Not only do you get to not only do you get to watch the
game you can get an autograph from armada head coach. Entry will be
free.

First Coast News at 4:30pm
WTLV-JAX (NBC)
July 1, 2014

Armada will be hosting a world
cup fan watch party today, as
Belgium takes on team u-s-a.
The soccer game will start at 4
this afternoon. But the watch
party will begin at 3 and end at 6
at Black Finn grill. Not only do
you get to watch the game you can get an autograph from armada head
coach. Entry will be free.

July 1, 2014
WJXT Channel 4

Every one of them out here
in red, white and blue, having
a great time, cheering on
the USA. It is unbelievable to
see how much the passion has
grown for soccer just in these
last few weeks. I talked to the
president of the Jacksonville
Armada, the local soccer team,
and he says the amount of people who have showed up to these events --
events every time the US has had a game, it's exciting. They're hoping to
host another one of these parties coming up on Saturday. The good news
for business in Jacksonville is many of them aren't open on Saturdays so
a lot of people won't have to skip work or leave early like they have over
the last couple of weeks to take in these matches. These fans are not
going anywhere anytime soon.

WJXT-JAX The 10 Oclock News
July 1, 2014
WJXT Channel 4

Hope, optimism? >> we'll see. we
have hope. there's always hope. >>
in the end, hope
wasn't enough. The president of
the armada tells us each watch
party they have had has grown
bigger and bigger soccer in
Jacksonville. He is hopeful when they begin their first season next
year, soccer fans will show up for that as well. Saint john's town center. >>
Coming up in less than ten minutes, Michael Kelly joins us with what the
USA coach had to say about his team's performance. Coming up in
sports. >> Well, Graco gives in and issues a re-call for nearly 2 million infant
car seats. Why the government has been demanding the massive re-
call. Stories ahead. >> Tropical storm Arthur as the storm churns in the
Atlantic.

Armada FC to host open tryouts this month
July 4, 2014
The Beaches Leader
http://www.beachesleader.com/article_412e3c72-02cc-11e4-82a5-
001a4bcf887a.html

Jacksonvilles new mens professional soccer team, the Armada FC, will
begin the process of building the team that will represent Northeast Florida
and Southeast Georgia in the North American Soccer League next spring, by
hosting a series of Open and Invitational Tryouts in Jacksonville starting July
26 and 27 at the Patton Park soccer complex.

Gene Frenette: Now that World Cup Fever has
ebbed, hard work tarts for citys new soccer team
July 5, 2014
http://members.jacksonville.com/sports/columnists/gene-frenette/2014-
07-05/story/gene-frenette-now-world-cup-fever-has-ebbed-hard

Every time the U.S. mens national team had a World Cup match, it
presented a marketing opportunity to promote his teams brand around
the First Coast. The Armada held public watch parties to advertise their
product.
But with American football soon taking over the sports consciousness,
Frisch is a realist about the limits of World Cup fever.
Some soccer zealots embellish the actual impact the Americans feel-good
story will have on the sport once the World Cup curtain closes, but Frisch
knows better.
He understands that any U.S. professional league, whether its Major
League Soccer or NASL, cant possibly capture the publics heart in the same
way.
Its hard to measure the degree of the long-lasting effect [the World Cup]
will have on soccer over the next four years, Frisch said. For sure, theres
more fan engagement about [the Armada].
I just dont pretend that this level of World Cup fever will transition over
to Armada fever. Will a percentage of it? Yes. But those 20,000 people you
saw at Soldier Field *to watch the World Cup+ isnt going to translate into
Chicago Fire hooligans.
However, those who dismiss the fervor Americans showed for the U.S.
team as a non-factor also miss the mark. Television ratings indicate soccer
is making significant gains. ESPNs two highest soccer ratings in history
occurred for the U.S. teams 2-2 draw with Portugal (24.7 million viewers)
and Tuesdays 2-1 knockout loss to Belgium (21.6 million).
Both eclipsed averages for the NBA Finals and World Series.
Four years ago, the U.S. team also reached the round of 16, yet current
World Cup ratings are up 44 percent over 2010. Its hard to imagine the
Armada wont be a beneficiary.
With record crowds for the U.S. teams last two appearances at EverBank
Field, Jacksonville earned a reputation as a growing soccer hotbed. Well
see if the return of pro soccer after three decades will work as well here as
in MLS cities like Seattle and Kansas City.
Armada president Steve Livingstone, a former soccer writer in the United
Kingdom and the Jaguars senior director of marketing for nine years, is
encouraged by 2,000 season tickets the team has already sold.
He believes the goal of reaching 7,000 by next spring is doable, especially
with 65 percent of individual game tickets in the $10-$25 price range.
Its all about building momentum until the season starts, and what the U.S.
did in the World Cup definitely helps, said Livingstone.
But that momentum only goes so far.
Ultimately, the Armada must prove to be a soccer equivalent of the
baseball Suns creatively market its product and put a team on the field
that Jacksonville can embrace.

Cole Pepper: World Cup Down To Four, Murphy Makes
All-Star Squad, Bambino's Ghost Launches Fireworks
After the matches over the weekend, we are down to four teams with a
chance to win the world cup. Brazil plays Germany on Tuesday and the
Netherlands will face Argentina on Wednesday with the final set for
Sunday. Brazil will have to play without their star Neymar, who has a
broken vertebrae, sustained in the closing minutes of Brazil's 2-1 victory
over Colombia.
An ongoing story is how this World Cup is going to impact soccer in
America. The TV ratings this year were up 45 percent from the last World
Cup four years ago and up 124 percent over 2006. The U.S. vs. Portugal
match was the most viewed soccer match in the U.S. ever, averaging over
18 million viewers.
The Jacksonville Armada have already had over 2,000 season tickets
reserved and they haven't even settled where they will play their games in
the spring. We're early here, but I think we're seeing a change in the way
the American public interacts with soccer.
Armada tryouts this month
Speaking of the Armada, they have announced that they're holding open
tryouts on July 26 and 27 at Patton Park. Anyone who thinks they have
what it takes to be a pro soccer player can tryout.
The registration fee is $100 per player. You can sign up online at
ArmadaFC.com. You must be 16 or older. The Armada has said that they
intend on having six or seven players from the region on the roster when
they begin play next spring.

First Coast News at Noon
July 7, 2014
First Coast News
Do you think you have what it takes to play professional soccer?
Jacksonville's new men's team the Armada FC are having tryouts on July
26th and 27th. The tryouts will be at Jacksonville's Patton Park soccer
complex. Men have to be 16 and older to try out and pre-register on the
armada's website. It will cost 100 dollars to participate in the tryout.

First Coast News at 5:30
July 7, 2014
First Coast News
Do you think you have what it takes to play professional soccer?
Jacksonville's new men's team the Armada FC are having tryouts on July
26th and 27th. The tryouts will be at Jacksonville's Patton Park soccer
complex. Men have to be 16 and older to try out and pre-register on the
armada's website. It will cost 100 dollars to participate in the tryout.

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