INDY ELEVEN GAMEDAY & MATCH PREVIEW
Indy Eleven vs. New York Cosmos
Saturday, April 11, 2015 – 7:30 p.m. ET
IUPUI's Michael A. Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis, IN

GAMEDAY FAN GUIDE at IndyEleven.com
STADIUM IMPROVEMENTS FOR 2015 at IndyEleven.com 

WATCH LIVE:
TV: WISH-TV 8 
RADIO (SPANISH): Exitos Radio 1590 AM
In the United States: Streaming video via ESPN3.com 
Internationally: Streaming video via various ESPN online platforms

LISTEN LIVE:
Spanish-language coverage on Radio Exitos 1590AM

FOLLOW ONLINE:  
In-game updates: Follow the @IndyElevenLive Twitter feed
Live stats: Visit the NASL.com MatchCenter
Game Notes: Click to read the match notes vs. Atlanta 

 

After hanging tough and earning an important point on rock-hard turf in Atlanta, Indy Eleven returns home to Mike A. Carroll Stadium for the club’s 2015 home opener Saturday night against a star-studded New York Cosmos team.

 

2014 Overview vs. Cosmos: 0W-3D-0L

NYC  1 : 1  IND – May 24, 2014: Indy Eleven’s penchant for giving up early goals continued in the team’s first visit to Long Island when Sebastian Guenzatti scored just four minutes in. After being outshot 11-0 in the first half, the visitors slowly crept back into the match it the 2^nd half, and when midfielder Brad Ring stripped Marcos Senna in midfield and slotted home after a lengthy run to even things up in the 76^th minute it helped Indy Eleven gain deserved road point – the first in club history.

IND  2 : 2  NYC – Aug. 30, 2014: Another early goal (David Diosa – 6’) was compounded by Mads Stoekklein’s 42^nd minute tally to put Indy Eleven down 2-0 at the half. But that set up a memorable second half comeback as a 61^st minute Mike Ambersely goal and 90^th minute strike from Jermaine Johnson gave the home side a share of the spoils and again frustrated the defending Soccer Bowl champs.

NYC  0 : 0  IND – Oct. 4, 2014: This was a classic “a point on the road is a point on the road” result for Indy, which used 7 saves from Kristian Nicht to keep the season series against the Cosmos even with a third consecutive draw.

 

How they did last week…

Both teams began the 2015 Spring Season with positive results on the road last weekend.

Visiting Atlanta and the old-school-Astroturf-like surface at Silverbacks Park, Indy Eleven was at times dominant against the new-look side, but fell behind after a broken set piece dropped in front of goal for Shaka Bangura just after halftime. Showing late resolve, Indy left back Jaime Frias earned a stoppage time penalty kick and Don Smart converted, taking the score to 1-1 and steaing a point from Atlanta.

“First game of the season it was good to see the guys push on and fight back and get a goal at the end to take a point,” said Indy Eleven head coach Juergen Sommer. "Jaime did well to earn the penalty and Don Smart was cool and comfortable from the spot. We’ll take the point out of Atlanta, we still see a lot of potential out of the group and it just became a difficult environment to play down there, just given the way they wanted to play, knocking balls forward and dealing with the turf.”

Due south, New York put the pedal down on the Fort Lauderdale Strikers, outshooting the home side 14-8. Spanish striker Raul made his Cosmos debut, going 53 minutes against before being removed after “experiencing some discomfort” in the second half. Five minutes later, the Cosmos saw the game’s only goal come from Philadelphia Union loanee Leo Fernandes, who rose above the pack to nod home Walter Restrepo’s 58^th minute corner kick in the 1-0 victory.

“"The team showed a lot of character and personality tonight," Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese said after the match. "We were able to battle and keep a clean sheet in a game that was very difficult. We looked like a team that was ready to step onto the field and battle."

 

Frias for Team of the Week

While he earned the penalty kick that won a point for Indy in Atlanta, second-year defender Jaime Frias was arguably Indy Eleven’s best defender on the night as well, locking down the left side and springing forward on numerous counter attacks. For his efforts, the Chivas de Guadalajara loanee was named to the NASL’s Team of the Week, along with Cosmo’s midfielder Marco Senna and center back Roversio Rodrigues.  It was actually the second straight nod for Frias, who was named to the league's final weekly Best XI last November (Fall Week 18).

 

Infirmary Update:

Following the match, Savarese said Raul’s removal was more precautionary than anything. Reports indicated that the former Ream Madrid striker has returned to training in preparation for the Cosmos visit to Indy Eleven on Saturday.

“We want to make sure we don't push our players," Savarese said. "We felt it was better for him to come out. It's important for him to be ready for the next game."

Meanwhile, Indy Eleven’s own world-class performer, midfielder Kleberson, missed the team’s opener at Atlanta with left hamstring tightness. However, the Brazilian midfielder has progressed in training this week with the club’s technical staff hoping he’ll be available off the bench in some measure for Saturday’s home opener. 

 

Who to Watch, Indy Eleven edition: MF Osman Melgares

Though winger Victor Pineda was questionable with ankle soreness ahead of the Atlanta match, the former Chicago Fire midfielder got the start, but made way for newcomer Osman Melgares after experiencing ankle pain in the 62^nd minute.

The Honduran was energetic and active for the remaining half hour against Atlanta, commanding the ball at every opportunity. Listed as questionable again heading into Saturday’s opener, if Pineda is unable to go, Melgares could go from the start against the Cosmos.

 

Who to Watch, New York Cosmos edition: Raul

Duh! 

One of the most prolific goal scorers to play professionally in North America, the Spanish striker brings 395 goals in 909 competitive matches to “The Mike” on Saturday. Having won three UEFA Champions League and six La Liga titles while with Real Madrid, Raul’s ability to finish puts him in a different class of strikers and will no doubt test the Indy Eleven backline throughout the match on Saturday.  

 

Match-up to Mark: Indy MF Sergio Pena vs. New York MF Marco Senna

The way New York chooses to attack on Saturday will dictate how active Pena is able to be going forward for Indy. If the Cosmos flow the bulk of the attack through Senna in the middle, Pena will need to sit further back to disrupt and frustrate the Spaniard. If the Cosmos choose to utilize wingers Roversio and Leo Moura up the flanks, Pena should be able to better support Dylan Mares in the attack and, perhaps, provide a patented long-range effort, should the moment call for it.

 

Final Thought: Pro Experience

Of the 21 players currently on the Indy Eleven roster, all have at least one year of professional experience under their belt - that's in stark contrast to 2014, when six players on the opening day roster were making their professional debuts. Most experienced are midfielder Kleberson and goalkeeper Kristian Nicht who are in their 16^th and 13^th professional seasons this year, respectively.