INDIANAPOLIS (October 7, 2017) – In the final regular-season meeting of the year, Indy Eleven and the New York Cosmos dueled to a 2-2 draw at “The Mike” as the team’s pursuit of a spot in the 2017 playoffs continues.

A testy opening twenty minutes saw Indy create the majority of chances but fail to capitalize, but the Cosmos would be first to worry the hosts with an effort in the 24^th minute. As Cosmos midfielder Emmanuel Ledesma weaved through the defense, he would pick out teammate Juan Guerra in the middle of the box, but all the fellow midfield man could do is flash a header wide.

Three minutes later, though, Indy Eleven’s attacking moves came to fruition via midfielder Don Smart. Taking a flick from defender Marco Franco, the Jamaican took a touch forward before unleashing an absolute belter into the roof of the net past Maurer, opening the scoring on his second goal of the year. However, the lead was shortlived as the Cosmos answered quickly via Ledesma. Following a bullet of an effort from Marquez that was impossible for Indy ‘keeper Jon Busch to hold, Ledesma tapped-in from close range to draw the score level at 1-1.

At halftime, the two sides shared the spoils with a goal apiece.

The first twenty minutes of the second half started as the first twenty in the first, but again Don Smart played a key role in helping Indy Eleven grab their second of the game. Moving out wide through a ball from Torrado, Smart turned scorer to provider as he lifted a beautifully weighted cross for Eamon Zayed to crash into. Bundling the ball into the back of the net to restore the lead, the Irishman tallied his 10^th goal of the year. Once again, though, the Cosmos would equalize in quick fashion as Javi Marquez finished a move started by Emmanuel Ledesma just four minutes after conceding.

Indy would continue to build the attack as chances for all of Zayed, Torrado, Smart, and Paulo Junior fell in the final 15 minutes, with the Brazilian substitute, in particular, creating a number of dangerous looks from a wide position after replacing Smart with eight to play. However, the “Boys in Blue” could not find the winner they sought after and their playoff push turns to a vital midweek contest in The Golden State.

Indy Eleven travels to face the San Francisco Deltas on Wednesday, October 11 at 10 PM ET before returning home to IUPUI’s Michael A. Carroll Stadium to host Miami FC on Saturday, October 14 at 3:00 P.M. ET. Tickets for the game – and all remaining 2+ 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
Indy Eleven 2 : 2 New York Cosmos
Saturday, October 7, 2017
Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis, IN
 
Scoring Summary:
IND – Don Smart (Marco Franco) 27’
NYC – Emmanuel Ledesma 36’
IND – Eamon Zayed (Don Smart) 65’
NYC – Javi Marquez (Emmanuel Ledesma) 69’

Discipline Summary:
IND – Colin Falvey 32’
IND – Brad Ring 52’
IND – Gerardo Torrado 53’
IND – Eamon Zayed 90’
NYC – David Ochieng 90’
 
Indy Eleven lineup (4-2-3-1, L-->R):  Jon Busch (GK); Daniel Keller, Cory Miller, Colin Falvey ©, Marco Franco; Gerardo Torrado, Brad Ring; Nemanja Vukovic, Ben Speas, Don Smart (Paulo Junior 82’); Eamon Zayed

IND bench: Keith Cardona (GK); Kwame Watson-Siriboe, Craig Henderson, Sinisa Ubiparipovic, Tanner Thompson, David Goldsmith

New York Cosmos lineup (4-1-4-1, L->R): Jimmy Maurer (GK); Ayoze, Carlos Mendes ©, David Ochieng, James Mulligan; Lucky Mkosana (Eugene Starikov 89’); Emmanuel Ledesma, Javi Marquez, Juan Guerra, Eric Calvillo; Pablo Vranjican (Bledi Bardic 80’)

NYC bench: Brian Holt (GK); Ryan Richter, Kobi Moyal, Danny Szetela, Darrius Barnes