New York Cosmos tie Indy Eleven
May 24, 2014 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Indy Eleven News Release
PSTEAD, NY "" Indy Eleven ended its four-match losing streak by putting in a gritty second-half effort against the New York Cosmos that resulted in a 1-1 draw at Shuart Stadium on the campus of Hofstra University. After allowing an early goal by Cosmos forward Sebastian Guenzatti, a 76th minute equalizer from Indy midfielder Brad Ring allowed the visitors to end their slide and gain a point and some added confidence on the road.
Indy Eleven's (0-4-3, 3 pts.) streak of allowing the first goal moved to six straight games, and it took the Cosmos (4-2-1, 13 pts.) only four minutes to move the scoreboard through forward Guenzatti. The Uruguayan worked a nifty 1-2 with fellow forward Mads Stokkelien up the center of the field before curling a perfect curling effort from 20 yards past stranded Eleven goalkeeper Kristian Nicht to put the Cosmos up 1-0 early.
It was pretty much one-way traffic for the Cosmos in the first 45 minutes, who outshot the Eleven 11-0 but could only take the one-goal advantage into the break. Nicht was active throughout the half, as the German "Ëkeeper darted off his line on several occasions to thwart a Cosmos attack force eager to put the game out of reach by the halftime whistle.
The second half was a different story, as the visitors became more physical and grabbed the game by the collar in an attempt to even up the proceedings. While several half-chances in and around the area were presented to Indy, it was a stellar individual effort by Ring that evened things up in the 76th minute. The veteran midfielder stepped into a tackle near midfield and carried the ball 40 yards before ripping a low shot that found its way past Maurer to tie things up at 1-1 and set up a nervous finish.
Both sides traded trips into the final third over the last quarter-hour, and while Indy had the more quality of the chances, neither side threatened seriously, causing a share of the spoils in the end. While the result keeps Indy Eleven winless in seven matches to start the season, tonight's result did gain the checkered-clad side its first-ever away point and build momentum for a busy week ahead.
Indy Eleven will return home to Michael A. Carroll Stadium at IUPUI for a pair of contests this week, starting on Wednesday, May 28 with its debut in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against the Dayton Dutch Lions of the USL Pro League. Kickoff for the Third Round match-up is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. On Next Saturday, May 31, Indy Eleven will round out the home portion of its 2014 Spring Season schedule with another 7:30 p.m. kickoff, this time against the San Antonio Scorpions. Limited tickets for both matches remain available and can be purchased online at IndyEleven.com.
INDY ELEVEN HEAD COACH JUERGEN SOMMER
"It was tough going down early once again, but it took a world-class finish to do it and I thought the guys responded well enough for the rest of the half to keep it at 1-0."
"The second half was probably the best 45 minutes we've played this season because of the commitment the guys showed both individually and collectively. The work rate was where it needed to be and this gives us a good base to work off of moving forward."
"I was incredibly happy for Brad [Ring] to get the goal because he really helped set the tone with the work he put in all over the field. He got stuck in on a great tackle, showed the initiative to push forward and got rewarded for it."
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North American Soccer League Stories from May 24, 2014
- New York Cosmos tie Indy Eleven - Indy Eleven
- RailHawks Earn Road Tie in Minnesota - North Carolina FC
- Minnesota United FC Remains Ahead in NASL Spring Season - NASL
- Silverbacks Grind out Tough Road Win in Edmonton - Atlanta Silverbacks
- New York Cosmos Draw 1-1 with Indy Eleven to Remain - New York Cosmos
- FCE Fall to Visiting Silverbacks - FC Edmonton
- Strikers Lose to Tampa Bay Rowdies 3-2 on a Late Goal - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Minnesota United Earns a Point in Front of Record Home Crowd and Remains on Top of NASL Standings - Minnesota United FC
- Extra-Time Winner Lifts Rowdies Past Ft. Lauderdale Strikers 3-2 - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- San Antonio Scorpions Win Wild 3-2 Match with Late Goal - San Antonio Scorpions
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