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NASL Midweek Rewind: Indy Eleven retake second place, Armada top Miami FC

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The Indy Eleven had been winless on the road in the fall season, but no longer.

The Eleven finally seized their first road victory of what’s been a long fall season on Wednesday night, as they dispatched the Tampa Bay Rowdies, 3-2, at Al Lang Stadium and took back second place in the Fall and Combined standings.

Meanwhile, further North in Florida, the Jacksonville Armada emerged victorious over their South Beach rivals by a final of 3-2. Miami FC surrendered a second half lead and collapsed further as the match wore on, ending with 10 men.

Here’s a recap of Wednesday’s NASL action:

INDY ELEVEN TAKE BACK SECOND PLACE WITH LATE GOAL

It was a tumultuous match, but a victory in the end for Indy Eleven as they banished their road woes and earned their first win away from home in the Fall season. The Eleven struck early and often, with Duke Lacroix and Jair Reinoso both scoring in the first half hour, while assisting one another, to place the visitors up 2-0 to open proceedings. But typical of the Eleven’s road struggles this year, the lead wouldn’t last.

The Rowdies struck back in a big way, with two goals in the first 20 minutes of the second half, both courtesy of Joe Cole. With all the momentum suddenly shifted to the home team, it seemed like the Eleven would be out of luck once again and would cede control of second place to FC Edmonton. But then, in the 85th minute, Nicki Paterson found his way onto the end of an assist from Gerardo Torrado and scored the winner for the visitors.

The win keeps the Eleven in second place in the fall and combined standings and hosting a playoff match. They’ll attempt to solidify that position when they play Puerto Rico FC this weekend.

ARMADA EMERGE VICTORIOUS IN NORTH VS. SOUTH FLORIDA BATTLE

The Jacksonville Armada have struggled both at home and away this year, earning just five victories all season through 30 matches. They managed to secure one of those five on Wednesday as they got the better of their South Beach rivals, Miami FC.

Charles Eloundou would put the Armada on the board immediately, as his first minute goal, assisted by Zack Steinberger, put the hosts up 1-0 extremely early. But Miami FC would strike back quickly as Kwadwo Poku assisted Ariel Martinez as the forward knotted things up at 1-1 just before the half hour mark.

Miami would take the initiative in the second half, as Gabriel Farfan subbed on during the break before heading home a cross from Jonathan Borrajo in the 65th minute to put the visitors up 2-1. But much like Miami did earlier in the match, the Armada struck back quickly as well, with Alex Dixson leveling the score at 2-2 just four minutes later on the second assist from Zach Steinberger.

It would be the Armada who would strike last, with Bryan Burke assisting Lucas Scaglia for the hosts third, and winning, goal of the match. Miami FC would attempt to battle back, but would be cut short and end the match down a man as Poku picked up two yellow cards within five minutes to be sent off for violent conduct.

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