In one respect, it's hard to call any game in the fall crucial, as Indy has already wrapped up a playoff spot and a home game in the semifinal round. But with Indy coming off a calamitous three-game road trip, and the Cosmos suddenly rampant, a win here is crucial if the Boys in Blue are to maintain any hope of securing home field throughout the playoffs. Indy is facing uncertainty on the back line. With Corey Miller suspended due to Wednesday's red card, and Greg Janicki suffering from plantar fasciitis (ouch), the team's media game notes suggest that Daniel Keller is likely to start. After surrendering seven goals in the last three games, the last thing Indy needs is more defensive uncertainty. On the plus side, it is possible that Justin Braun will be back up front, though probably only as a sub. Tampa Bay broke a three game losing streak last weekend, beating troubled Rayo OKC. Despite the win, the Rowdies stand tenth in the fall table, with only 11 points in 11 games. This is a winnable game for the Eleven–indeed, the kind of game that a good team must win. It should be a beautiful evening for a return to the Mike, and hopefully a big crowd will turn out.
A set piece goal by TB after a period of Indy dominance, then an Indy goal by Gordon off a scramble in the box.
A frustrating draw is better than a loss. Attendance was 9,098, and for the first time I can remember I overestimated it--I saw very few empty seats.
Meant to add that it's laughable that there were only three minutes of added time. Joke Hole alone spent almost two minutes rolling around on the pitch around the 67th minute, ultimately calling for medical attention (before returning seconds after the restart); a few minutes later, another Rowdie was down for an extended time. Add time for several subs and various time-wasting before the end of regulation, and there should have been 5-6 minutes, easy. (Yes, extra time ukrimaate,y went to 3:50, but there was an additional substitution by the Rowdies, and more time-wasting).