Indy Eleven Edge Puerto Rico FC at Home
Indy Eleven head into the final week of the NASL regular season on a roll as they come off a convincing victory over Puerto Rico FC on Saturday. The Boys in Blue set their sights on their The Championship Semifinal matchup with FC Edmonton scheduled for November 5th.
NASL Soccer News: Indy Eleven finished their 16-game home run in regular season play undefeated following a late first-half onslaught versus Puerto Rico FC. Goals by Justin Braun, Eamon Zayed and Dylan Mares lifted the “Boys in Blue” to a 3-0 victory at IUPUI’s Carroll Stadium.
Indy Eleven’s fourth shutout in their last six matches – aided by a red card shown to Puerto Rico FC forward Oliver – helped the Indiana side finish the regular season with a 13W-3D-0L home record. That record bodes well for Indy Eleven’s prospects with their postseason debut scheduled for Saturday, November 5th, when they host FC Edmonton in The Championship Semifinal.
“We were very impressed with the team’s effort tonight. To be able to play in front of that crowd with that energy was the best boost we could have asked for,” said Indy Eleven head coach Tim Hankinson. “I thought that we had a tough opening 20 minutes, but the goal helped to open the game up and when they went down to ten men, we knew we had to push.”
Indy Eleven broke through in the 36th minute when Braun first-timed Sinisa Ubiparipovic’s square ball past Puerto Rico goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg. A minute later Indy were both a goal and man up after Oliver picked up his second yellow card for elbowing Indy captain Colin Falvey off the ball.
From there it was one-way traffic for Indy Eleven, who doubled their lead shortly after Don Smart was pulled down inside the area by Ramon Soria. Spangenberg saved the initial low effort, but the rebound bounced right back to Zayed for his 15th goal of the season.
“The only element we need is that crowd,” said Zayed. “Playing in front of the Brickyard Battalion, and to go undefeated here the whole year – a lot of people were laughing at me when I said we could do it. But as a group we knew it was possible and we’re thrilled to have executed.”
Three minutes later, Mares put the match away with a right-footed shot that left Spangenberg flat-footed, pushing the lead to 3-0. The defensive effort was decisive for the Boys in Blue, who allowed only three shots – and none on goal to test Busch – en route to their 11th clean sheet of the 2016 campaign.
While their spot in The Championship has been secured since June, Indy Eleven could have an impact on the last playoff spot when they close out the regular season next Sunday versus the current holder of the fourth and final spot, Rayo OKC. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET.
Photo Credit: Indy Eleven
