INDIANAPOLIS (May 27, 2017) – In a tight contest at Clarke Stadium, Indy Eleven fell for the third time in the 2017 season in a 2-1 loss to FC Edmonton.

A match that asked plenty of both ‘keepers Jon Busch (IND) and Chris Konopka (FCE), it was Indy who nearly got on the scoresheet in the opening minute. Skipping forward, defender Nemanja Vukovic flicked a touch that set up a beautiful strike, but the ball skimmed off the crossbar and out of play for a goal kick.

Indy looked the more likely of the two sides to open the scoring, but momentum shifted the way of the home side in the 24^th minute when midfielder Dustin Corea drew a penalty on Kwame Watson-Siriboe. Flying into the box, Corea attempted to strike the ball before hitting the ground and the head official took no time to point straight at the spot after seemingly spotting a foul by the veteran defender. On the first spot kick, Corea ripped a left-footed effort off the underside of the crossbar and out. While Indy thought they were clear of the situation, the head official pulled back play after spotting an infringement and the penalty would be taken again. On the second go-round, Corea calmly placed the ball to his left and sent Busch the wrong way to get on the board first.

The visitors continued to press bodies forward, but Edmonton would double their lead in first-half stoppage through Adam Straith. On a free kick from the right flank, Corea was again involved as his cross met the head of Straith deep in the box, who made no mistake heading past Busch.

Into the second half, “Indiana’s Team” introduced David Goldsmith and Jason Plumhoff in an attempt to inject some fresh legs. Instead, it was forward Justin Braun who nearly found the scoresheet, but headers in the 58^th and 64^th minute could not beat Konopka and their chase for a goal wore on. In the 79^th minute, Indy would eventually break through thanks to super sub Jason Plumhoff. On a bouncing ball in the area, Plumhoff, a former Edmonton player, produced an acrobatic finish to pull one back for his team.

Just two minutes later, midfielder Ben Speas nearly found his team’s second goal, but he sent his left-footed rocket off the bar and away from danger. The “Boys in Blue” kept pushing until the end, but Edmonton’s two first-half strikes would prove enough to earn an important three points.

Indy Eleven faces the San Francisco Deltas on the road next weekend but returns home to IUPUI’s Michael A. Carroll Stadium to host Jacksonville Armada FC on Saturday, June 10 at 7:30 P.M. ET. Tickets for the game – and all remaining 12+ NASL matches at “The Mike” in 2017 – can be purchased for as little as $11 online at www.IndyEleven.com or by phone at 317-685-1100. 

NASL Spring Season
FC Edmonton 2 : 1 Indy Eleven
Saturday, May 27, 2017
Clarke Stadium – Edmonton, CAN
 
Scoring Summary:
FCE – Dustin Corea 27’
FCE – Adam Straith 45+2’
IND – Jason Plumhoff 79’
 
Discipline Summary:
IND – Colin Falvey 10’
IND – Gerardo Torrado 25'
FCE – Netan Sansara 59’
 
Indy Eleven line-up (4-2-3-1, L-->R):  Jon Busch (GK); Nemanja Vukovic, Colin Falvey ©, Kwame Watson-Siriboe, Marco Franco (Anthony Manning 89’); Daniel Keller (Jason Plumhoff 73’), Brad Ring (David Goldsmith 67’); Sinisa Ubiparipovic, Gerardo Torrado, Ben Speas; Justin Braun

IND bench: Keith Cardona (GK); Tanner Thompson, Brandon Poltronieri

FC Edmonton line-up (4-1-4-1, L->R): Chris Konopka (GK); Allan Zebie, Abdoulaye Diakite, Albert Watson, Netan Sansara; Adam Straith; Sainey Nyassi (Pedro Galvao 65’), Nik Ledgerwood, Dean Shiels (Mauro Eustaquio 76’), Dustin Corea; Tomi Ameobi

FCE bench: Tyson Farago (GK); Shawn Nicklaw, Ben Fisk, Sabri Khattab, Jake Keegan