NASL Indy Eleven

Indy Eleven Stay Unbeaten with 1-1 Draw at Jacksonville Armada FC

May 28, 2016 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Indy Eleven News Release


JACKSONVILLE - A crucial second half equalizer from forward Justin Braun secured an important point for Indy Eleven after a hard fought tussle with Jacksonville Armada FC ended 1-1 at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. The result temporarily moves "Indiana's Team" into a tie for second place on 14 points with two matches remaining.

Chances were few and far early on between as both sides took their time settling into the match. It was Armada FC who looked most eager early on and midfielder Junior Sandoval was the first to test Eleven 'keeper Jon Busch, though the veteran was equal to everything kicked his way in the opening fifteen minutes. For the visitors, forward Eamon Zayed came closest at the twenty minute mark as midfielder Don Smart whipped in a long, hanging cross that found the head of the Irishman, only for Armada FC 'netminder Sebastian Evers to make a point-blank save.

In the 29th minute, the match got chippy as defender Cory Miller entered the referee's book after fouling Jacksonville forward Danny Barrow just outside the Indy area. Again, it was midfielder Junior Sandoval standing over the free kick duties but his curling effort was deflected off the wall and off the underside of the crossbar to keep things level at zero.

However, one minute later the deadlock was broken. Following the free kick on the ensuing Jacksonville attack, Armada FC defender Matt Bahner took a pass and unleashed a powerful low drive to beat GK Jon Busch to his near post as the hosts jumped ahead.

The Eleven took their first steps to an equalizer in the 35th minute via a Nemanja Vukovic free kick. A favorable angle for the left-footed defender, he clipped the ball over the wall but could not keep it on frame as 'keeper Sebastian Evers saw the effort wide. Just before half, "Indiana's Team" had another golden opportunity after a long throw from winger Omar Gordon, but Evers was equal to the close range chance at the far post to keep his side 1-nil up.

Halftime came and went as neither side made changes for the second period of play. The Armada came out as the aggressors with an early opportunity that forced Jon Busch into one of his four saves, this time as he denied forward Alhassane Keita what would have been the go-ahead goal. Five minutes later, Jacksonville won a free kick that broke into the Indy area only for Busch to come off his line and take the effort with both palms.

Potentially a match-turning moment came in the 56th minute when Jacksonville 'keeper Sebastian Evers went down awkwardly following a free kick, forcing the hosts into their first change of the night bringing in Miguel Gallardo in his place.

The Eleven kept pounding towards the Armada goal, and in the 73rd minute they got their reward. Impact substitute Jair Reinoso found a yard of space outside the area and lifted a ball dead center of the area where his teammate Justin Braun was waiting. Indy's No.17 met the cross with a thunderous header leaving Gallardo scrambling on his line, with nothing to do to prevent the equalizer as Braun tallied his second goal in two weeks.

The "Boys in Blue" continued to press on the host's defense, but when Omar Gordon won a set-piece chance on the right flank in the 78th minute, Nemanja Vukovic's delivery was too near the 'keeper Gallardo and the opportunity was missed.

Jacksonville had one more quality look at goal in the 87th minute as substitute Matt Fondy did well to angle a pass into the path of his teammate Keita. The Guinean forward then turned towards Indy's goal to squeeze a shot past Busch, but defender Marco Franco was in the right place at the right time to clear the ball off the line, preserving the 1-1 scoreline. The match ended at one-all and Coach Hankinson and co. took their third point out of the Sunshine state in as many visits.

Indy Eleven returns home midweek on Wednesday, June 1, when it will host Louisville City FC in the Third Round of the 2016 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at Carroll Stadium. Tickets for last year's USOC rematch are available starting at $5 in the Brickyard Battalion sections at www.IndyEleven.com or over the phone at 317-685-1100 (Mon.-Fri., 9:00a.m.-5:00p.m.)

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North American Soccer League Stories from May 28, 2016


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