NASL Indy Eleven

NASL RECAP: Indy Eleven Falls to Late FC Edmonton Goal in 2-1 Loss at Clarke Field

Published on October 2, 2016 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Indy Eleven News Release


EDMONTON (Sunday) - Indy Eleven saw their two-game winning streak snapped in a late 2-1 loss at FC Edmonton. Despite a solid outing from the "Boys in Blue," a 90+4' winner from substitute forward Ben Fisk sealed the win for the hosts.

The first half was an even, end-to-end contest between the two sides with a number of chances falling for both. In the opening five minutes, Eleven 'keeper Jon Busch made two great saves - one on Shamit Shome, one on Shawn Nicklaw - to keep things level, and just minutes later it was Indy's turn at the Eddies goal but defender Cory Miller struck a half-volley just wide of Edmonton 'netminder Matt VanOekel's post.

The hosts would test Indy once more in the opening half as Shawn Nicklaw was again at the center of the attack, this time finding midfielder Daryl Fordyce, but the Northern Irishman saw his effort collected well by the MLS veteran Busch. For the "Boys in Blue," the best first half chance came from midfielder Dylan Mares. Hot off an impressive showing against New York that included a goal and an assist, Mares took a pass and turned towards the Edmonton goal, rifling an effort at VanOekel that was tipped onto the crossbar but just couldn't find the back of the net. The pair would go scoreless into the halftime break.

PHOTOS: Click to download pictures from #FCEvIND from the NASL's FTP site monton/10-02%20Edmonton%20vs.%20Indy/)

STATS: Get detailed Opta statistics from #FCEvIND via the NASL MatchCenter (http://www.indyeleven.com/match-center/1261/fce-vs-ind)

The second half began quickly for Indy as the visitors looked to pounce straight from the whistle, but it would take ten minutes for a quality chance to fall their way - though forward Eamon Zayed would make the most of it. An almost carbon copy of Zayed's goal against the Cosmos, midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic collected the ball at the edge of the area and found Dylan Mares out wide to start the move. As the South Bend native forced his way towards the endline, he sent in an early ball across the center of the box that Zayed got a solid foot to, sending it through the legs of VanOekel and in. The goal was Zayed's 14th of the 2016 campaign and placed him just one behind the league leader Christian Ramirez (15) in the chase for the Golden Boot. Heavy pressure would continue to be placed on the Edmonton goal by Indy, but a second chance for Zayed and one for Dylan Mares both went begging as they looked to double the lead.

In the 80th minute, the tide turned in favor of the Eddies as Pape Diakite found an equalizer, smashing home a bouncing ball in the box to make it one-all. The hosts then cranked up the pressure on Indy's goal, but both 'keeper Jon Busch and his back line were well prepared and helped to repel three more opportunities in front of the net. Despite their efforts, in the last minute of stoppage time FC Edmonton hit on the break as again Fordyce and Nicklaw combined, this time to find Ben Fisk at the back post on a counter attack, and the substitute slotted past Busch at the death to give the Eddies the victory.

Indy Eleven has one more away match next weekend, but following its Oct. 8 contest at Jacksonville Armada FC, Indy Eleven will return home on Saturday, Oct. 15, when it hosts Carolina RailHawks FC on "College Night" at Carroll Stadium (7:30 p.m., live on WISH-TV & beIN SPORTS en Espaî=B1ol).

Tickets for that Oct. 15 game - featuring the matchup of former Mexican National Team legends Gerardo Torrado and Omar Bravo - remain available and can be purchased online at IndyEleven.com or by calling 317-685-1100 during regular business hours.

Check out the Indy Eleven Statistics

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North American Soccer League Stories from October 2, 2016


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