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Armada fire head coach Guillermo Hoyos, general manager Dario Sala

Coach Hoyos

 

By SBI SOCCER

Having seen the club’s debut season turn sour, the Jacksonville Armada have made major changes throughout the organization.

The Armada announced Monday that general manager Dario Sala and head coach Guillermo Hoyos have been dismissed. In addition, assistant coaches Edison Ibarra, Rafael Perez Niño and Sebastian Fabres have also been relieved of their duties.

Mired in a five-game winless and scoreless streak, the Armada currently sits in last place in the NASL’s Combined Standings. The team has yet to win a road game this season, putting forth a record of 0-11-2.

“Since the inception of the Armada FC, I have made it clear that I have a very high standard for performance on and off the field,” owner and CEO Mark Frisch said. “To achieve success in this league, and win championships, we must defend effectively, attack relentlessly, score goals and win games – both at home and away from home – on a consistent basis. We have not done this.

“Following an in-depth analysis of the team and operations, I am confident that a new direction is needed to turn around our team. Our players and fans deserve our very best and I strongly believe this is what is needed for us to move forward.”

Eric Dade, Jacksonville FC executive director and Armada FC director of player development, has been named as the club’s interim coach, while Armada FC Director of Soccer Operations Nathan Walter will take on the role as assistant.

“We have not given up on the 2015 season,” Frisch said. “While the challenge of reaching the NASL championship playoffs in this, our inaugural season, is steep, I am confident in Eric’s ability to lead the team and show marked improvement for the remainder of the season.

“I will take further stock at the end of this NASL season to chart the best course of action and direction for our team moving forward.”

The team returns to action Saturday when the Armada hosts the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

What do you think of the Armada’s shake-up? How will the team fare the rest of the season? What expectations do you have for the club through 2015 and beyond?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

    • Mad props on injecting the possibility into the conversation. I don’t think that pair would head to the Armada. They just got fired (and still are most likely collecting a paycheck) by a guy who expects a championship. I don’t see them heading north to Jacksonville, given the circumstances.

      From where I’m sitting, it doesn’t seem like a good fit for those two. Probably not desirable for the Armada, either.

      Reply
  1. Given they’re an expansion team, you’d think they’d give the current regime another year or two to actually build something. It’s good to be the owner…

    Reply
  2. I am surprised by this move. I thought the team had really improved. They are particularly strong defensively; they were not as strong offensively but were also unlucky not to score in a few situations.

    Reply

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