JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Less than two months ago, the Jacksonville Armada announced the addition of a women's team. Since their establishment, their fan base has only grown, drawing more than 1,000 fans to games.
David Gough, Jacksonville Armada FC U23 head coach, said, "Women's soccer is on the rise, it's been on the rise for decades. America still leads the way and to be part of that in Jacksonville was the draw, to be honest."
Gough came to Jacksonville to ignite success in women's soccer. He said there are elite soccer players right in Jacksonville, which made it the perfect destination to grow something special.
"I went to the World Cup with England in 2015, won a bronze medal there. For the last decade, I spent my life in women's football. For me, it's about using those skills and that experience to build something and to do it right here," Gough said.
In their first season, they've drawn quite a crowd, something midfielder Liz Anne Fogarty wasn't used to before joining the team.
"You know, I've only just looked for my parents in the crowd. Playing with them having drums in the background, and screaming and chanting, it's been a different experience and I'm so grateful to be part of it," Fogarty said.
Jacksonville embraced the Armada; a feeling Fogarty will hold on to.
"I got to see that the section 904 made a sign and it said, 'the women have arrived' and I teared up when I saw it. I didn't know that was something that was going to be in Jacksonville for us and so it was so cool to not only see it but to be in that starting 11 group," Fogarty said.
This is only the beginning for the organization, and soon, it will be a steppingstone to the pros.
"Building stadiums, that involves building a club and that involves everything the Armada has the ability to do. We're at the very start of that process now," Gough said.
Logan Gonzales, center/forward, added, "I think it's important that we support girls' soccer and girls in sports like we do with men. I think with this, it's a great start, it's an important start. We can't go back from here; we can only go forward."
You can catch the Armada as they'll be playing at home for the next three weeks at Jacksonville University.