Cosmos Held to Draw by Indy Eleven

Published on October 4, 2014 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
New York Cosmos News Release


NEW YORK (October 4, 2014) - The New York Cosmos began the final full month of the NASL Fall Season with a 0-0 draw with Indy Eleven, in front of a home crowd at James M. Shuart Stadium on Saturday night.

The Cosmos were returning home after two weeks on the road, and they drew with Indy for the third time this season, this time on a cool, windy night under the lights at Shuart Stadium. New York entered the match on the heels of a 1-1 draw away to FC Edmonton on Sunday, Sept. 28 while Eleven looked to regroup following a defeat at home to the Carolina RailHawks last Saturday.

"We played very well in the second half," said Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese after the match. "We created plenty of chances, and I think what we were missing today was capitalizing on those chances that we had. We played with good intensity. [Indy Eleven] works hard. They are a team that doesn't give up. I'm content about the chances that were created. I think there are a lot of positives to come out of it."

The visitors started the match brightly through Eleven midfielder/forward Don Smart, who made a purposeful run on the right flank, and produced a teasing cross that had the Cosmos defense on alert just four minutes into the match. Indy was nearly in again after a giveaway from center back Rovérsio allowed forward Charlie Rugg a clean run at goal in the 8th minute, but Cosmos goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer was quick off his line to make the interception.

The Cosmos found their feet in the match soon after and nearly had a goal of the week contender in the 11th minute. Forward Danny Mwanga played in midfielder Andrés Flores with a fantastic chip over the top, but Flores missed wide with his header. New York was nearly in again just two minutes later. Flores was played into the box and rounded Indy goalkeeper Kristian Nicht with a great first touch, but defender Kyle Hyland was well positioned to clear Flores' shot off the line.

The hosts continued to pour pressure on the Indy back line, and forward Mads Stokkelien nearly found the back of the net after latching onto midfielder Danny Szetela's cross in the 20th minute. The cross was just slightly ahead of Stokkelien, though, and his shot went wide of Nicht's goal in the end.

The pace of the game simmered a bit after Hyland was forced off with what appeared to be a nasty ankle sprain in the 27th minute, and the chances slowed at both ends before the halftime whistle.

New York was off and running after the restart, and Flores came very close to scoring the game's opening goal with a well-struck effort in the 51st minute. Flores was played in with a wonderful threaded pass from midfielder Marcos Senna, but Nicht was in the right spot to make the reaction save with his left leg. That began a flurry of chances for the Cosmos, including a free kick from the edge of the area that was nearly curled in by fullback Ayoze, and a blistering dead ball effort from fullback Hunter Freeman that was tipped onto the bar and out for a corner in the 58th minute.

Indy Eleven could have had the first goal of the match against the run of play in the 64th minute, after Maurer was caught in no-man's land, but midfielder Dylan Mares blasted his effort over the wide-open goal.

The Cosmos created the next great chance of the game, with Senna forcing Nicht into action with a thunderous free kick from 35 yards out in the 76th minute. New York was denied on the rebound as well.

The Cosmos continued to heap wave after wave of attack on the Indy goal, and made one final push to find a winner through Freeman's bold first-time volley in the 94th minute. His effort landed into the hands of Nicht, though, to ensure the match ended at 0-0.

"We tried [tonight], but we couldn't put the ball in and that's what counts," said Flores following the match. "We just have to keep going. Sometimes you have some teams that always have good games against you, and that's how it is. We just have to keep working to get better."

The Cosmos return to Shuart Stadium on Oct. 11 to face Ottawa Fury FC. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. ET.

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