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NASL Indy Eleven

Indy Eleven Fall to Third in NASL Fall Season Standings

July 30, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Indy Eleven News Release


MIAMI - Indy Eleven fell to Miami FC on the road Saturday night after goals by Dario Cvitanich and substitute Ariel Pedro Martinez sealed a 2-1 win for the hosts.

The first half began with Argentine striker Cvitanich putting Miami FC in front after just four minutes following a headed pass by the defender Bernstein off a corner. Just six minutes later, the first chance of the game for the Eleven came after Marco Franco whipped in a cross towards winger Omar Gordon, who headed off the bar and saw a subsequent effort deflected and cleared off the line.

A second chance for Indy came when Nemanja Vukovic angled in a driven ball again towards the Jamaican Gordon, but the latter was unable to bring down his lobbed effort on goal. Perhaps the best chance of the first half came just after the half hour mark when again Nemanja Vukovic was again involved. The left-back marauded up the wing to swing in a lifted cross towards forward Justin Braun, but the American could not test opposition 'keeper Vega with his header.

Halftime saw Indy Eleven down 1-nil, but "Indiana's Team" continued knocking on a door that just wouldn't break. At the hour mark, the first substitution of the night saw head coach Tim Hankinson bring on midfielder Don Smart for Omar Gordon, and the former made an immediate impact winning multiple corners in successive minutes.

In the 66th minute, Smart was on the end of a cross-come-shot by Nemanja Vukovic and chose to lift the ball over the top towards forward Eamon Zayed. Though in excellent position, the Irishman was unable to keep his header on frame as the match drew out. Fifteen minutes later, it was substitute Sinisa Ubiparipovic's turn to test Miami FC 'netminder Vega, but the opposition 'keeper produced a great save that prevented the rebound from falling cleanly to forward Justin Braun.

Not finished, the hosts would double their advantage in the 85th minute when substitute midfielder Ariel Martinez found the end of a Blake Smith pass to knock home past Eleven 'keeper Keith Cardona. Despite the two goal deficit, Indy Eleven continued to push against the Miami FC defense and would eventually break through thanks to forward Eamon Zayed, who rifled home in the 89th minute to make the score 2-1.

With seven minutes of added time, Nemanja Vukovic was in the middle of defense and attack as his sliding clearance prevented the hosts from going 3-1 up before sending a free kick just wide of Vega's post on the other end of the pitch. In the end, Coach Hankinson's side ultimately fell 2-1 despite a valiant effort at FIU Stadium.

Indy Eleven will return home for a three-game homestand that will start on Wednesday, August 3, against Jacksonville Armada FC. The 7:30 p.m. match will mark the first Indy Eleven broadcast on CBS Sports Network, and the match can also be heard live on Exitos Radio 1590 AM and www.Exitos1590.com 95&id789905fbbd&eee02f21f4a) (Spanish). Tickets for the contest are available starting at just $11 and can be purchased online at IndyEleven.com 95&id2f05051e26&eee02f21f4a) or over the phone at 317-685-1100 weekdays from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

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North American Soccer League Stories from July 30, 2016


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