INDIANAPOLIS (August 19, 2017) – Indy Eleven midfielder and former Mexican National Team star Gerardo Torrado tallies his first two goals for “Indiana’s Team” in Indy’s 3-3 thriller at MCU Park.

The “Boys in White” hit the ground running early in the first half after Torrardo netted his first goal as a member of the “Boys in Blue” in the 10^th minute. After earning a corner kick, midfielder Don Smart sent a charged pass from the corner flag towards Torrado at top left of the Cosmos’ 18-yard box. After a few quick touches, Torrado slammed the ball from the top left corner of the box into the upper right corner of the goal, collecting his first goal since joining Indy last June.

Minutes later, Torrado found another opportunity as the Cruz Azul legend slotted in his second goal for the night. In the 14^th minute, Eleven forward David Goldsmith charged into the right side of the Cosmos’ box unopposed. From there, Goldsmith sent the ball to forward Eamon Zayed in the center of the box to avoid an oncoming Cosmos defender. With a heavy touch, Zayed retained possession before passing towards the top of the box as multiple Cosmos defenders closed in. With the ball unattended, Torrado seized the moment once more, driving the ball center and into the back of the net.

It wasn’t long before New York came looking for answers. In the 18^th minute, the Cosmos nearly capitalized on the first of their chances after a right footed strike from midfielder Andres Flores struck the woodwork just to the left of Indy Eleven goalkeeper Jon Busch. Flores came knocking again two minutes later after receiving a pass from midfielder Eric Calvillo. Following the pass, Flores sent in a left footed effort, but it was easily collected by Busch and possession was returned to Indy once more.

However, New York found their first of the evening midway into the first half. In the 29^th minute, after being award a free kick, midfielder Emmanuel Ledesma sent service short to midfielder Javi Marquez at the top of Indy’s box. With a lofted pass, Marquez found Flores running along the left edge of the box. Following the pass, Flores gained control with his first touch before he lofted the ball to the right post, where defender Dejan Jakovic’s head sent the ball into the goal.

At the half, Indy remained in the lead after strong defensive efforts quelled the Cosmos’ continuous attacking pressure.  

The Cosmos came out of the gate swinging early in the second half, where the defending 2016 NASL Champions found their first equalizer just five minutes after the match restarted. In the 50^th minute, a strike from distance hurdled towards the top of Indy’s goal. Acting quickly, Busch leapt to the upper left corner of the goal in an attempt to save, only to have the ball deflect downwards off of the crossbar. While Busch was scrambling to recover, Cosmos striker Pablo Vranjican surged forward and headed the ball past the veteran goaltender.

Wasting no time, Indy looked to retaliate quickly. In the 53^rd minute, Zayed found the back of the net, elevating Indy back into the lead. Zayed’s goal came after a masterclass through ball from Goldsmith at centerfield. The Irishman stopped the pass before fancy footwork put down the opposing defender standing between Zayed and the goal. As Cosmos goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer came off his line to try and collect the ball, Zayed rocketed the ball above and beyond the former NASL Golden Glove recipient, scoring Indy’s third for the evening.

As the match wore on, both sides continued their pursuit for additional goals. And in the 84^th minute, New York found their second equalizer. After being awarded a corner kick, Ledesma directed a cross into the center of Indy’s 18-yard box. From the penalty spot, Cosmos substitute midfielder Juan Guerra headed the ball to the upper left corner of the goal. Despite getting a glove on it, Busch’s effort wasn’t enough to keep the ball from meeting the back of the net.

Despite late-game injury drama that saw the match into the 100^th minute, neither side could capitalize on opportunities created in the additional time. With the score level at the whistle, both sides walked away with a draw and a point for the record books.

Next up, Indy Eleven returns home to IUPUI’s Michael A. Carroll Stadium to host Jacksonville Armada FC on Saturday, August 26 at 7:30 P.M. ET. Tickets for the game – and all remaining 5+ 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 Fall Season
New York Cosmos 3 : 3 Indy Eleven
Saturday, August 19, 2017
MCU Park – Brooklyn, NY
 
Scoring Summary:
IND – Gerardo Torrado (Don Smart) 10’

IND – Gerardo Torrado (Eamon Zayed) 14’

NYC—Dejan Jakovic (Andres Flores) 29’

NYC—Pablo Vranjican 50’

IND—Eamon Zayed (David Goldsmith) 53’

NYC—Juan Guerra (Emmanuel Ledesma) 84’

Discipline Summary:
IND—Gerardo Torrado 35’

NYC—Jimmy Mulligan 57’

IND—Don Smart 90+8’
 
Indy Eleven lineup (4-5-1, L-->R):  Jon Busch (GK); Nemanja Vukovic, Daniel Keller, Colin Falvey ©, Marco Franco; Brad Ring, Gerardo Torrado (Kwame Watson-Siriboe 81’), Don Smart, Ben Speas, David Goldsmith (Justin Braun 72’); Eamon Zayed (Tanner Thompson 89’)

IND bench: Keith Cardona (GK); Cory Miller, Adrian Ables

New York Cosmos lineup (4-2-3-1, L->R): Jimmy Maurer(GK); Dejan Jakovic, Ayoze, Darrius Barnes, Jimmy Mulligan; Javi Marquez, Kobi Moyal (Juan Guerra 58’), Andres Flores, Emmanuel Ledesma, Eric Calvillo (Lucky Mkosana 62’); Pablo Vranjican (Eugene Starikov 72’)

NYC bench: Kyle Zobeck; Carlos Mendes, David Ochieng, Ryan Richter