Busch's Big Night in Goal Helps Indy Eleven to 0-0 Draw at Fort Lauderdale
Published on May 14, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Indy Eleven News Release
FORT LAUDERDALE - The Fort Lauderdale Strikers were all over Indy Eleven from the beginning this evening at Lockhart Stadium, but Eleven goalkeeper Jon Busch was there at every turn to help the visitors earn a crucial standings point from a 0-0 draw in a rain-delayed affair in South Florida.
Busch came through with an inspired effort, making a season-high six stops - a few of the highlight-reel variety - to help keep "Indiana's Team" the lone undefeated team in the NASL on the season.
With the draw, Indy Eleven (2W-4D-0L, 10 pts.) remained in fourth place in the Spring Season standings, while Fort Lauderdale (1W-3D-2L, 6 pts.), a week after beating the then-league-leading Carolina RailHawks on the road, saw their momentum halted by sticking in eighth position. More importantly for Indy Eleven, the "Boys in Blue" managed to stay within a game of first place, which for now is occupied by next week's opponent at Carroll Stadium, Minnesota United FC (13 pts.). However, the second-place New York Cosmos (12 pts.) will help round out Week 7 action tomorrow afternoon at FC Edmonton.
Busch was alert from the early-going, starting in the 8th minute when he adjusted well to Geison Moura's deflected shot from the top of the area. Scrambling to his right post, Busch dove to get a hand - and then a foot - to the ball on the line to keep it out. Four minutes later a failed clearance sat up around the penalty spot for a hard-charging Maicon Santos, but his rocketed shot would be kept out by Busch's two-handed parry.
While it wasn't a save, Busch came up big again in the 21st minute when Santos got behind the Eleven backline. The Indy 'keeper came off his line to force Santos wide, and while the Brazilian was able to get a shot towards the open net, Eleven center back Colin Falvey and forward Justin Braun combined to keep it out of goal and clear the danger.
Indy's offense finally showed some bite in the final 15 minutes of the half, starting when midfielder Omar Gordon latched onto Justin Braun's cross from the right endline and fiercely headed a shot just wide of the left post. Gordon was at it again in the 38th minute as he pounced on a loose ball and fired from 15 yards out, but what could have been a dangerous shot was blocked by a diving Gale Agbossoumonde. A minute later Falvey was able to get on the end of a corner with a free header from 10 yards out, only to push the chance wide left.
The halftime break was an extended one, as storms that entered the area forced a nearly hour-and-a-half delay in the action. Coming out of the break it was the Strikers nearly striking first in the 48th minute when Jose Angulo cut across the area and rifled a shot from 10 yards out that smacked off the crossbar but stayed out of goal. Three minutes later it was Busch again thwarting Santos with his finest effort yet, diving and extending fully to steer a header from eight yards around the right post.
The Eleven made things more interesting with better possession and attacking presence throughout the second half, but it wasn't until the 69th minute that Fort Lauderdale goalkeeper Diego Restrepo was forced to make a save. And it was a quality one, as he dove low and right to bat away defender Nemanja Vukovic's low, skipping effort from 30 yards out on the slick turf.
Down the stretch the Strikers would press for the decisive tally, but Busch had other ideas, first stopping defending NASL Player of the Week Nana Attakora's point-blank effort in the 88th minute. Then in stoppage time it was the veteran goalkeeper batting away Dalton's header from the top of the six off a set-piece delivery from Ramon Nunez, a play that helped Indy Eleven - and the 20-year pro Busch - to a second clean sheet in 2016.
Indy Eleven returns home next weekend on Saturday, May 21, when it will host Minnesota United FC on IMS & Military Appreciation Night at Carroll Stadium. Tickets for the pivotal 7:30 p.m. ET showdown at "The Mike" are available starting at $11 in the Brickyard Battalion and East Goal Top sections at www.IndyEleven.com or over the phone at 317-685-1100 (Mon.-Fri., 9:00a.m.-5:00 p.m.).
North American Soccer League Stories from May 14, 2016
- Minnesota United Jumps into First Place, Joe Cole Debuts in Tampa - NASL
- Armada Can't Convert Key Chances in 2-0 Loss to United FC - Jacksonville Armada FC
- Strikers Held to Scoreless Draw by Unbeaten Indy Eleven - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Busch's Big Night in Goal Helps Indy Eleven to 0-0 Draw at Fort Lauderdale - Indy Eleven
- Tampa Bay Rowdies Held to Unlucky 1-1 Draw against Rayo OKC - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- United Moves to Top of the Table with 2-0 Win - Minnesota United FC
- RailHawks Remain Tied for First Place After Draw against Miami FC - North Carolina FC
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