NASL Indy Eleven

Indy Eleven Returns to Win Column, Top of NASL Standings

Published on July 23, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Indy Eleven News Release


INDIANAPOLIS - In a clash of two of the NASL's top teams, Indy Eleven emerged the winner from a hard fought 1-0 result over FC Edmonton in front of 8,119 fans at IUPUI's Carroll Stadium. With its return to the win column following its first loss of 2016 a week prior, Indy Eleven also returned to the top of the NASL standings both for the Fall and Combined Seasons.

"We talked during the week about the old sports expression 'from hero to goat and back again,'" said Indy Eleven head coach Tim Hankinson. "The most important word I have in my life as a sportsman and in my life is resilience - the ability to get knocked down and fight your way back into it. If you can apply resiliency it will go a long way for this team to getting back on top again."

After being victimized by two early goals last weekend in Minnesota, Indy Eleven (3W-1D-1L, 10 pts. in Fall Season; 7W-7D-1L, 28 pts. in Combined Season) came out and flipped the script via defender Greg Janicki's third tally of the season just 13 minutes in. The chance was created when defender Nemanja Vukovic was tripped up 30 yards from goal to set up Dylan Mares' perfect free kick service to Janicki, who headed home from eight yards to move the scoreboard for the home side.

Edmonton striker Jake Keegan was unlucky not to even things up in the 22^nd minute as he ran onto a free ball just 10 yards from goal, but his rising shot just missed the upper right corner. Two minutes later Indy 'keeper Jon Busch spilled Adam Eckersley's well-served cross from the left side, and while Daryl Fordyce was there to pounce on the loose ball he couldn't turn to shoot and the danger was eventually cleared by the Eleven backline.

Mares almost played provider once again before the half hour mark when he gathered a turnover on the right flank and fired a far-post cross for Eamon Zayed, but Matt VanOekel came off his line and just got a piece of the service to stop a certain second for the "Boys in Blue."

Indy Eleven had two more chances to push the lead at the end of the first half, first on a long-distance chance by Zayed that VanOekel got two hands to and steered just wide. On the ensuing corner it was Vukovic steering a header on frame, but it fell right to a waiting VanOekel on his line.

The first quality look of the second half came at the stroke of the 58^th minute when Eamon Zayed was played behind the backline, but VanOekel cut off the angle well at his left post, going low to block the shot wide. One minute later, the first starting appearance in NASL play for Indy Eleven midfielder Gerardo Torrado would come to a finish, the famed Mexican international exiting his central midfield spot for Nicki Paterson.

A nice run to the endline by Edmonton striker Tomi Ameobi caused panic in the Indy six-yard box in the 62^nd minute, but his cutback pass would be overrun by a trio of Eleven defenders in addition to its intended target, winger Dustin Correa. The end-to-end action would continue with two more chances for the Eleven in quick succession, but forward Justin Braun's open header off a Vukovic cross was sent right to VanOekel, who moments later got just enough of Mares' far post shot to push it wide for a corner.

Indy Eleven looked like it padded its lead in the 75^th minute when substitute Don Smart's diagonal through ball sprung Braun behind the backline. While Braun's square ball was finished off by Zayed into an open net, the offside flag went up to keep the visitors within striking distance. Two minutes from time it was Smart almost helping Indy find paydirt again when he sent a pinpoint cross to Zayed, whose header had VanOekel beat but fell just wide of the right post.

Edmonton had two chances deep into stoppage time, first when Daryl Fordyce's headed at the near post was deflected out for a corner. VanOekel would venture forward and get on the end of the ensuing set piece, but his header from 10 yards was punched out by Busch, securing the return to the win column for Indiana's Team.

Indy Eleven will return to action next Saturday, July 30, when it heads back to South Florida for a second meeting of the season against the Miami FC. Kickoff from Ocean Bank Field is set for 8:00 p.m. ET for a match that can be viewed live on beIN SPORTS and beIN SPORTS en Espanol in addition to the channel's online component, beIN SPORTS CONNECT.

Indy Eleven will then 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 795&id0457b5b4c2&eee02f21f4a) (Spanish). Tickets for the contest are available starting at just $11 and can be purchased online at IndyEleven.com 95&iddb83e1526f&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 23, 2016


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