The New York Cosmos and Jacksonville Armada FC will face off at MCU Park on Sunday, September 3 at 7:30 pm. The Armada are coming off a 3-2 triumph over Indy Eleven, their first win in nine NASL Regular Season games. Mark Lowry's men haven't had the best of luck on the road, conceding multiple goals in three of their last four NASL away matches (1W-2L-1D).

A steady defense and two productive, young players will be on the Cosmos' radar in Sunday's game:
 

Goalkeeper: Caleb Patterson-Sewell

Third in the NASL in clean sheets (6), Armada goalkeeper, Caleb Patterson-Sewell, has been an effective force in goal. He has saved 53 of 74 shots, making 21 clearances so far in the Regular Season. The shot-stopper hasn't conceded more than three goals since his team's 3-1 loss at North Carolina FC on May 13.

Patterson-Sewell has only faced the Cosmos on two occasions, but has done well in both, conceding one goal in each Spring Season matchup while saving two of three shots at MCU Park and three of four shots at Hodges Stadium. Getting past the six-foot three-inch keeper will be a challenge.

Defender: Mechack Jérôme

Center back, Mechack Jérôme, leads the NASL in total clearances (115). The Haitian international is one of two players on his team to start 22 games, and has the most minutes for the Armada so far this year (1,910) – good for fourth-most minutes in the NASL.

Jérôme played 90 minutes against the Cosmos in both Spring Season matches. He saw more of the ball on home turf, getting 87 touches at Hodges Stadium. However, Jérôme recorded better defensive stats at MCU Park, winning all three of his duels and making five clearances. The defender has not seen a win in all five meetings against New York, and the Cosmos will look to keep it that way.

Midfielder: Jack Blake

Armada top scorer, Jack Blake, is tied for fourth in the NASL in goals scored (7), with one more goal than New York's Emmanuel Ledesma. The midfielder also leads Jacksonville in total crosses (97) and is second in his team in chances created (26). Blake's hat-trick against Indy Eleven earned his team their first three points of the 2017 Fall Season, snapping an eight-game Regular Season winless streak in the process. The 22-year-old became the third player in the NASL to record multiple goals from outside the box in a single match since the start of the 2016 Season, and the first to score three from outside the box.

Blake had four interceptions at MCU Park, and was a key distributor in both Spring Season games against the Cosmos. New York will need to watch for his long-range efforts and set pieces, as two of his three goals last Saturday came from free kicks.

Forward: Derek Gebhard

One of the Armada's up-and-coming young players, 21-year-old Derek Gebhard has impressed in his team's attack, leading Jacksonville in shots (25). Gebhard has also shown his prowess in long passes, completing 87.5% of them. At the same time, he has proven to be a successful finisher, scoring all four of his goals inside the penalty area.

The Cosmos kept Gebhard from creating any chances in the teams' last meeting. However, he did have a notable presence as a late substitute at MCU Park in April, winning both of his tackles, as well as three duels, in 11 minutes of play.

New York will take on Gebhard and the rest of the Armada in Brooklyn on Sunday, September 3 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are on sale now. For more information, click here.