NASL Indy Eleven

Indy beats Atlanta

Published on September 7, 2014 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Indy Eleven News Release


ATLANTA - Indy Eleven added to its road resume tonight against the Atlanta Silverbacks, using first half goals from forward Jermaine Johnson and midfielder Blake Smith to build a lead and hold on for a 2-1 victory in front of a sellout crowd of 5,000 at Atlanta Silverbacks Park. Silverbacks midfielder Blair Gavin tallied for the home side just before the halftime break in a match that closed out the season series between the two clubs and snapped Indy Eleven's six-match winless streak in the process.

"Our defenders worked extremely hard tonight with the offensive threat that Atlanta proposed to us," said Indy Eleven coach Juergen Sommer. "We had some of our midfielders step back and defend in the second half, so all credit to Atlanta. They really pushed us to physical extremes tonight and our guys stood up to the task and dug their heels in and defended well. Very pleased with the result tonight."

After an opening 15 minutes that would see both sides trade chances of equal quality, it was Indy Eleven that would get on the board first through Johnson. The Jamaican would be played behind the Atlanta backline by a Sergio Pe�=B1a through ball, which he carried just into the area before slotting a low shot inside the far left post to give the visitors the early 1-0 advantage. Indy Eleven would receive a bit of bad news shortly thereafter, when defender Kyle Hyland was forced from the match due to injury and replaced by A.J. Corrado in the 17^th minute.

Atlanta found ample attacking opportunities down the flanks as the half continued on, but saw several shots miss frame and dangerous crosses cleared away by a pieced together Eleven backline that included debutant Cory Miller and Corrado, a midfielder by trade. Atlanta would pay for a missed chance off a corner kick in the 37^th minute, when Smith finished off a textbook counter attack, knocking home Mike Ambersley's early cross to double the Indy Eleven advantage to 2-0.

Atlanta fought to the end of the first half and was rewarded in the 45^th minute with Gavin's first goal of the season. After a foul outside the corner of the Indy Eleven penalty area, Pablo Cruz served into the heart of the area, where an unmarked Gavin redirected home to cut the Indy Eleven lead to 2-1 heading into the halftime break.

Just five minutes into the second half Indy Eleven would have a golden opportunity to go back up a pair when Edgar Espinoza handed down Pe�=B1a's cross inside the area to set up a penalty kick. However, Indy Eleven midfielder Kleberson would be denied from the spot for the first time in six tries this season, as Silverbacks 'keeper Eric Ati dove right and knocked the Brazilian's attempt away.

Atlanta would see more and more of the ball as the second half ticked away, with midfielder Kwadwo Poku often serving as the catalyst and giving the home side hope down the right flank. However, Eleven goalkeeper Kristian Nicht was on the spot when he needed to be, making six saves on the night, including three at his near post in the final 15 minutes to keep the scoreline at 2-1 for the visitors.

With tonight's result, Indy Eleven moves to eighth place in the NASL Fall Season standings on 11 points from a 3W-5L-2T record (3-10-6, 15 pts. overall). Indy Eleven will look to build on its third win of the season - all of which have come on the road during the Fall Season - when it returns home next Saturday, Sept. 13, to take on FC Edmonton (4-4-2, 14 pts. in Fall; 6-9-4, 22 pts.) for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff at Carroll Stadium. Tickets for the match, which will include the evening's Hispanic Heritage Night (Nuestra Noche con Los Eleven) festivities, remain available and can be purchased via IndyEleven.com.

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North American Soccer League Stories from September 7, 2014


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