In a news filled couple of days in the NASL, another event has occurred but this time it concerns Jacksonville Armada Football Club. Head Coach Guillermo Hoyos has received a contract extension with the club until 2019, a deal coming after a 6th place finish in the Spring Season with a record of 3-3-4. The coach also led Jacksonville to a third round exit in the U.S. Open Cup at the hands of Richmond Kickers.
Other than the Barcelona B team from 2001-2006, Jacksonville Armada will be the first team that Hoyos has coached for more than a year. Though results have not been in heavy favor for Armada, there is no doubt in the implementation of his teams play style.
From the beginning, owner Mark Frisch envisioned an attacking minded team with flair that could obtain substantial amount of possession in matches. So far, Armada have proved to be a brilliant team in attack and have had their way with most NASL teams. Hoyos has done a decent job at running the team how the organization had dreamed, but results have not gone in Jacksonville’s way.
Nothing is wrong with playing an attacking style, but Armada can be prone to lack in defense and that is what have let the Northeast Florida team down in the league. News of a contract extension is a surprise but if I’m being brutally honest, he has done a fair job. Armada have almost always been the better team in games this season due to their fast pace and possession orientation. Hoyos has also done a decent job in the transfer market, recruiting players like Marcos Flores, Alhassane Keita, and Jemal Johnson to play for the expansion side. Other than errors in tactical adjustments throughout the season, the Argentine has been good. The swagger Jacksonville plays from week to week is a confidence booster to any fan and the extension of Guillermo Hoyos is fully supported.
