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Indy Eleven

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Indy Eleven Gameday & Match Preview
Indy Eleven vs New York Cosmos
Saturday, September 24, 2016 – 7:30 p.m. ET
IUPUI's Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis, IN


Watch/Listen Live:


Follow Live:

  • Facebook Live pre-game with Greg Rakestraw and Brad Hauter at 7:00 p.m.
  • In-game updates: Follow @IndyElevenLive on Twitter
  • Live stats: Visit the NASL.com MatchCenter for in-depth Opta statistics
  • Vote for the Indy Eleven “Man of the Match” on the @IndyEleven Twitter feed immediately following the match

 

Team Records

Indy Eleven:​

  • ​Fall Season: 7W-3D-5L, 24 pts, 4th place
  • Combined Season: 11W-9D-5L, 42 pts., 3rd place

New York Cosmos: ​

  • Fall Season: 9W-4D-2L, 31 pts, 1st place
  • Combined Season: 15W-4D-6L, 49 pts, 1st place


Click here for the complete NASL Fall Season standings


Media Game Notes:

Last Time Out – Indy Eleven 2 : 1 Miami FC

Indiana's Team took care of business in orderly fashion last Saturday with a 2-1 win over the Miami FC snapping a five-game winless streak.

During the middle of the week, Indy Eleven head coach Tim Hankinson stressed the importance of the team "finding themselves" again as the chase for the fall championship continues. In doing so, Hankinson re-introduced midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic into the fold, and the Bosnian earned his first start since the Spring Season on Saturday.

The first half began with both sides easing into the match, but a 25th minute strike by Dylan Mares cannoned momentum in Indy's favor. Miami FC 'keeper Daniel Vega was clearing his lines off a restart, but his pass found the chest of Indy forward Justin Braun who laid it off for Mares, the latter doing the rest for the goal. Heading into the break up 1-0, Indy began to flex their muscle in the beginnings of the second half.

Just before the hour mark, Don Smart doubled Indy's lead after Eamon Zayed headed on a cross by Nemanja Vukovic, and the second of three "Indiana Originals" was on the scoresheet after beating the ball past Vega for the second time. Ten minutes later, Miami FC would make things interesting with a goal off a corner kick by forward Vincenzo Rennella, but Indy would repel further efforts to secure the three points. 

Keeping their unbeaten streak alive at Carroll Stadium, Indy Eleven extended the run to 17 games total but remain in 4th place in the Fall Season standings despite winning the top four clash.


Last Time Out – New York Cosmos 0 : 0 FC Edmonton

The New York Cosmos also successfully defended their home turf last Saturday against second place FC Edmonton in an eventful nil-nil draw.

Despite out-shooting the opposition 20-10 total and 4-1 on target, New York was unable to find the back of the net with chances for starters Sebastian Guenzatti and Juan Arango and substitute David Diosa all being saved by Eddies 'keeper Matt VanOekel. In addition, the Cosmos held a 72-28% lead in possession while completing 81.8% of their 477 passes (compared to 55.8% of 181 passes for FCE), and also held an 11-2 advantage on corners.

Though unable to break down FC Edmonton in front of a crowd just shy of 3750 at Shuart Stadium, the Cosmos retain their place at first in the Fall and Combined Season standings.
 

Unbeaten Again?

Indy Eleven is riding a major streak at Carroll Stadium – 17 games unbeaten – which spans all the way back to almost a calendar year ago when a win over Minnesota United in October kicked things off. On Saturday night against New York, they have the chance to extend the streak to 18, which would tie a joint all-time NASL record set by the Carolina Railhawks and the New York Cosmos in separate seasons.

The run has produced moments of frustration – draws that could have been wins and nights that the ball just wouldn't find the back of the net – but more importantly, moments of magic – the 4-2 win over Minnesota in May, the 4-1 win over Carolina that clinched the Spring Season championship, the 5-2 thrashing of Jacksonville Armada FC that exerted Indy's dominance in August, and of course, the 2-1 win over New York that propelled the team forward in April.

In order to keep the magic alive, the "Boys in Blue" are looking at perhaps their toughest test yet in this Cosmos team – a team which beat them 3-0 less than a month ago in the Big Apple – but are relishing the opportunity for revenge. 
 

Who to Watch, Indy Eleven edition: MF Gerardo Torrado

After the loss in New York in August, midfielder Gerardo Torrado knew there was work to be done. Compounded by a 1-1 draw away to Ottawa and a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat in Carolina just a week earlier, the defeat sent Indy back to the Circle City with a determination to get things right and fight back off the break.

In New York, Torrado had a good showing after completing 34/48 passes, winning 5/10 duels, collecting 5 interceptions and creating one chance. On Saturday, he will likely be in a similar defensive mindset in front of a sturdy backline charged with neutralizing a hot Cosmos attack.

Torrado has shown his ability to adapt in different roles in the Eleven midfield playing with attacking, defensive, and a more neutral mindset on more than one occasion, and he must do a little of all three on Saturday if Indy is to get a good result. 
 

Who to Watch, New York Cosmos edition: FW Juan Arango

Scoring two goals against Indy in their 3-0 win has Arango hungry to repeat the feat at Carroll Stadium. With 11 goals in 24 matches, Arango is just one shy of the Eleven's leading scorer Eamon Zayed (12) in one less game, and his four assists also have him level with the other two of the top three in the league scoring charts.

Arango showed his cool from the penalty spot for his first against Indy and put his second in a position where Eleven 'netminder Jon Busch just couldn't reach it, but will have to be equally as clever when the pair meet again. The Venezuelan forward has not scored in three full matches as New York has collected five points from their last three total, but still remains the biggest threat to Indy's success this weekend. 
 

Match-up to Mark: FW Justin Braun vs. GK Jimmy Maurer

All eyes might be on Eamon Zayed this weekend as the foward aims to continue racking up goals in his quest for the NASL Golden Boot, but the match-up to mark involves his striking partner Justin Braun and opposition 'keeper Jimmy Maurer. 

Braun made his full return to fitness in a 2-1 loss away to Fort Lauderdale two weeks ago and marked his return with a late goal that nearly helped Indy pull back a point in the Sunshine State. Fast forward to last Saturday's 2-1 win over Miami FC and again Braun was at the heart of things, getting the assist on Indy's first goal via Dylan Mares. Now Braun faces one of the statistically best 'netminders in the league in Cosmos' Jimmy Maurer, who has kept four straight clean sheets.

With Zayed likely attracting plenty of attention on Saturday, the opportunity is there for Braun, who will attract plenty of attention on his own, to sneak in behind the defense with darting runs that put him through on goal. On the attacking end, Indy's gain continues to be Justin Braun's return.

FOLLOW: #INDVNYC

Indy Eleven Gameday & Match Preview
Indy Eleven vs New York Cosmos
Saturday, September 24, 2016 – 7:30 p.m. ET
IUPUI’s Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis, IN


Watch/Listen Live:


Follow Live:

  • Facebook Live pre-game with Greg Rakestraw and Brad Hauter at 7:00 p.m.
  • In-game updates: Follow @IndyElevenLive on Twitter
  • Live stats: Visit the NASL.com MatchCenter for in-depth Opta statistics
  • Vote for the Indy Eleven “Man of the Match” on the @IndyEleven Twitter feed immediately following the match

 

Team Records

Indy Eleven:​

  • ​Fall Season: 7W-3D-5L, 24 pts, 4th place
  • Combined Season: 11W-9D-5L, 42 pts., 3rd place

New York Cosmos: ​

  • Fall Season: 9W-4D-2L, 31 pts, 1st place
  • Combined Season: 15W-4D-6L, 49 pts, 1st place


Click here for the complete NASL Fall Season standings


Media Game Notes:

Last Time Out – Indy Eleven 2 : 1 Miami FC

Indiana’s Team took care of business in orderly fashion last Saturday with a 2-1 win over the Miami FC snapping a five-game winless streak.

During the middle of the week, Indy Eleven head coach Tim Hankinson stressed the importance of the team “finding themselves” again as the chase for the fall championship continues. In doing so, Hankinson re-introduced midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic into the fold, and the Bosnian earned his first start since the Spring Season on Saturday.

The first half began with both sides easing into the match, but a 25th minute strike by Dylan Mares cannoned momentum in Indy’s favor. Miami FC ‘keeper Daniel Vega was clearing his lines off a restart, but his pass found the chest of Indy forward Justin Braun who laid it off for Mares, the latter doing the rest for the goal. Heading into the break up 1-0, Indy began to flex their muscle in the beginnings of the second half.

Just before the hour mark, Don Smart doubled Indy’s lead after Eamon Zayed headed on a cross by Nemanja Vukovic, and the second of three “Indiana Originals” was on the scoresheet after beating the ball past Vega for the second time. Ten minutes later, Miami FC would make things interesting with a goal off a corner kick by forward Vincenzo Rennella, but Indy would repel further efforts to secure the three points. 

Keeping their unbeaten streak alive at Carroll Stadium, Indy Eleven extended the run to 17 games total but remain in 4th place in the Fall Season standings despite winning the top four clash.


Last Time Out – New York Cosmos 0 : 0 FC Edmonton

The New York Cosmos also successfully defended their home turf last Saturday against second place FC Edmonton in an eventful nil-nil draw.

Despite out-shooting the opposition 20-10 total and 4-1 on target, New York was unable to find the back of the net with chances for starters Sebastian Guenzatti and Juan Arango and substitute David Diosa all being saved by Eddies ‘keeper Matt VanOekel. In addition, the Cosmos held a 72-28% lead in possession while completing 81.8% of their 477 passes (compared to 55.8% of 181 passes for FCE), and also held an 11-2 advantage on corners.

Though unable to break down FC Edmonton in front of a crowd just shy of 3750 at Shuart Stadium, the Cosmos retain their place at first in the Fall and Combined Season standings.
 

Unbeaten Again?

Indy Eleven is riding a major streak at Carroll Stadium – 17 games unbeaten – which spans all the way back to almost a calendar year ago when a win over Minnesota United in October kicked things off. On Saturday night against New York, they have the chance to extend the streak to 18, which would tie a joint all-time NASL record set by the Carolina Railhawks and the New York Cosmos in separate seasons.

The run has produced moments of frustration – draws that could have been wins and nights that the ball just wouldn’t find the back of the net – but more importantly, moments of magic – the 4-2 win over Minnesota in May, the 4-1 win over Carolina that clinched the Spring Season championship, the 5-2 thrashing of Jacksonville Armada FC that exerted Indy’s dominance in August, and of course, the 2-1 win over New York that propelled the team forward in April.

In order to keep the magic alive, the “Boys in Blue” are looking at perhaps their toughest test yet in this Cosmos team – a team which beat them 3-0 less than a month ago in the Big Apple – but are relishing the opportunity for revenge. 
 

Who to Watch, Indy Eleven edition: MF Gerardo Torrado

After the loss in New York in August, midfielder Gerardo Torrado knew there was work to be done. Compounded by a 1-1 draw away to Ottawa and a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat in Carolina just a week earlier, the defeat sent Indy back to the Circle City with a determination to get things right and fight back off the break.

In New York, Torrado had a good showing after completing 34/48 passes, winning 5/10 duels, collecting 5 interceptions and creating one chance. On Saturday, he will likely be in a similar defensive mindset in front of a sturdy backline charged with neutralizing a hot Cosmos attack.

Torrado has shown his ability to adapt in different roles in the Eleven midfield playing with attacking, defensive, and a more neutral mindset on more than one occasion, and he must do a little of all three on Saturday if Indy is to get a good result. 
 

Who to Watch, New York Cosmos edition: FW Juan Arango

Scoring two goals against Indy in their 3-0 win has Arango hungry to repeat the feat at Carroll Stadium. With 11 goals in 24 matches, Arango is just one shy of the Eleven’s leading scorer Eamon Zayed (12) in one less game, and his four assists also have him level with the other two of the top three in the league scoring charts.

Arango showed his cool from the penalty spot for his first against Indy and put his second in a position where Eleven ‘netminder Jon Busch just couldn’t reach it, but will have to be equally as clever when the pair meet again. The Venezuelan forward has not scored in three full matches as New York has collected five points from their last three total, but still remains the biggest threat to Indy’s success this weekend. 
 

Match-up to Mark: FW Justin Braun vs. GK Jimmy Maurer

All eyes might be on Eamon Zayed this weekend as the foward aims to continue racking up goals in his quest for the NASL Golden Boot, but the match-up to mark involves his striking partner Justin Braun and opposition ‘keeper Jimmy Maurer. 

Braun made his full return to fitness in a 2-1 loss away to Fort Lauderdale two weeks ago and marked his return with a late goal that nearly helped Indy pull back a point in the Sunshine State. Fast forward to last Saturday’s 2-1 win over Miami FC and again Braun was at the heart of things, getting the assist on Indy’s first goal via Dylan Mares. Now Braun faces one of the statistically best ‘netminders in the league in Cosmos’ Jimmy Maurer, who has kept four straight clean sheets.

With Zayed likely attracting plenty of attention on Saturday, the opportunity is there for Braun, who will attract plenty of attention on his own, to sneak in behind the defense with darting runs that put him through on goal. On the attacking end, Indy’s gain continues to be Justin Braun’s return.

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