(NASL 2017 Spring) Indy Eleven 2v1 New York Cosmos

Saturday 8th July 2017

Michael A Carroll Stadium, Indianapolis   Attendance -  8,748

Just days after Indy were denied a victory in New York thanks to a controversial penalty, Indy gained a measure of revenge with a 2v1 win, extending the Cosmos' winless run in Indianapolis.

It would be a bitter pill to swallow for Cosmos as Indy were awarded a controversial penalty of their own and after New York had levelled and dominated for large periods of the 2nd half were hit by a sucker punch by a Braun header with 15mins remaining.

Indy came out strong and had the Cosmos on their heels early on and Braun made a dangerous run into the area, but the Cosmos defence managed to see the danger out.

New York had their moments at the other end, Starikov flashed a long range effort narrowly wide and Ledesma saw a free-kick go into the side netting.

But it was Indy who looked more threatening in the early stages and this continued after a poor backpass from Mulligan put Cosmos under pressure. Maurer could only head the backpass away, but his clearance went straight to Don Smart who returned the ball with venom, but Maurer had regrouped and made the save.

Indy were the recipients of an incorrect penalty call at the weekend, but they had a call go in their favour today as Braun was adjudged to have been fouled after a cross into the box from the right wing, with replays showing minimal contact had taken place.

Don Smart stepped up to send Maurer the wrong way and give Indy the lead.

Cosmos responded well and equalised soon after. A swift counter-attack saw Guerra find Calvillo who did well to lay it off for Ledesma who drove the ball past Busch at the near post.

Indy set about attempting to regain their lead and a long range effort from Ring had Maurer scrambling across his goal, although the effort went wide. With half time approaching a quickly taken throw in sent Braun away, but faced with a narrow angle he shot straight at Maurer.

Cosmos ended the half in the ascendancy however and were gifted an opportunity to go in at half time ahead. A miscued clearance by the home side fell in the path of Starikov, but Busch came out well to snuff out the danger.

Within seconds of the restart Speas had a good chance to put Indy ahead, but under pressure from Ochieng he shot weakly at Maurer, but it was the Cosmos who were looking more likely to get the next goal and had Szetela's touch not let him down in the box after being found by a long raking ball then they could have got the goal they deserved.

Cosmos continued to look dangerous and Ledesma flashed a stinging effort at goal which flicked the top of the bar and soon after struck the post from a free-kick on the edge of the box. Indy were hanging on now and Ochieng came close with an improvised effort, directing an effort narrowly over.

Indy had hardly troubled the Cosmos goal in the 2nd half but against the run of play got themselves ahead again. Ochieng gave away a needless corner and from the resulting corner Braun headed in unmarked at the far post.

With just 2mins left Vukovic had a chance to add a third after a long run from his own half, but his shot was straight at Maurer as Indy saw out the remaining few minutes and seal victory.