(NASL 2014 Fall) New York Cosmos 0v0 Indy Eleven

Saturday 4th October 2014
Hofstra University, New York   Attendance -  6,225

There was plenty of good news for the Cosmos prior to the Indy clash, with the home side fielding what looked like a full strength side for the first time this season, with the return of Roversio in defence. In addition Spanish superstar Raul was in an executive box, fuelling rumours of a move to the Club, and to cap it off an attendance of 6k+ was a Fall season high.

Unfortunately on the pitch the Cosmos failed to deliver again as they endured another frustrating draw with Indy, leaving their place in the playoffs ever more precarious.

Cosmos were the better team for long periods, but found a determined Indy side too difficult to break down, with Nicht, the Indy Keeper in fine form.

Both sides started full of attacking intent and Carlos Mendes had to intervene to send a dangerous cross over his own crossbar, with Pena missing an early chance by sending a free header wide fro the resulting corner. Indy continued to threaten as Roversio showed signs of rustiness as he had a pass intercepted by Rugg who outpaced the defender as he homed in on goal, only for a heavy touch to allow Maurer to collect.

But Cosmos almost responded with a goal as Flores and Mwanga linked up with a one, two, with Flores' header rolling the wrong side of the post from the home sides perspective. Flores was in on goal again seconds later thanks to a great ball from Diaz. Flores took the ball round Indy Keeper Nicht, only for Hyland to make a goal saving clearance off the line for the away side.

A goal looked inevitable, but the Cosmos continued to squander chances. This time Stokkelien was at fault as he shanked the ball wide from a good cross from Szetela on 20mins. The flurry of chances dried up with Indy working hard to prevent the Cosmos building up any rhythm, The next notable chance came early in the 2nd half when Stokkelien fired a dangerous low ball across the Indy area, but Mwanga was not able to get a touch on the cross to finish it off.

Soon after Flores had another chance after good work from Senna, but the El Salvador International's shot was too close to Nicht who blocked the effort. The Cosmos started the 2nd half well and Nicht was in action again as he made  save from an Ayoze free kick with Indy scrambling the rebound away. Nicht was proving a difficult obstacle to overcome as he tipped a Freeman free kick over the bar.

But for all the Cosmos 2nd half dominance Indy should have taken the lead after a defensive error. The Cosmos centre backs were not having the best of games, this time it was Mendes who almost cost Cosmos a goal as his short back pass put Maurer under pressure which left Indy's Mares with a glorious chance, but with Maurer flat on the turf, the Indy player blasted the ball well off target with a wild effort.

In the 76th minute Nicht produced a great save from a deflected free kick from Senna, with Indy blocking an effort from Stokkelien from the rebound. Cosmos piled forward in the closing minutes against a 10 man Indy after Ambersley was forced off injured after they had used their full allocation of subs, but there was not to be a late winner as the Cosmos recorded a 3rd consecutive draw against the Eleven.