This is it: the match I've been waiting for since January 2013, when it was announced that Indy would join the NASL, the first visit of the New York Cosmos to Indianapolis. Sadly, they're not my Cosmos: no Beckenbauer, no Carlos Alberto, no Pelé. But I'm still looking forward to being in the stands to watch the Cosmos take the field--and then, I hope, get crushed by Indy Eleven. The Cosmos have struggled in the fall season, and like Indy have only two wins in eight games. Unlike Indy, however, they're still battling for a playoff position thanks to their strong spring and resulting decent overall record. They should be motivated. It will be a tough game. I just keep telling myself that one of these weeks the breaks have to go our way again, as they did against Edmonton but mostly have not all season.
i'm missing this one too. i'll be at the lake for the long weekend. here's hoping for 3 points in my absence. on a side note, if anyone has tickets they can't use in the future, check with your local big brothers big sisters office. our local bbbs was really excited to have our tix for saturday.
Good to see we have stopped using Kleberson on corner kicks. He is the only one we have who hits anything close. How many times do we have to see Ambersley kill an attack by playing the ball in the wrong direction. He spends too much time running the wrong way. Smith, the MLS loanee has been a major disappointment. Yes, I am frustrated tonight. Another lazy return by the back line, another goal.
Completely different half, someone talked to Ambersley at half and he played forward, Smith woke up and we get a tie. Best performance to date from Pineda, good to see Spencer back.
Well, well. As Otis suggests, the first half was same old, same old. The first goal was an open header from eight yards in acres of space--Hyland was temporarily off the field receiving treatment, and it looked like both central defenders were cheating toward the right to cover, leaving the center completely undefended. Two Indy Eleven goals were called back for offside. New York scored again in the closing minutes of the half--another familiar story--and we appeared headed toward another dispiriting loss. Pineda's brilliant play at the 66th minute changed the game, as he stumbled at the top of the 18, but kept the ball, worked it toward the end line, and then slid a perfect cross to Ambersley. With minutes left in regulation, the Cosmos missed a golden chance to put the game away. And then, in the 93rd, lightning struck: a quick throw-in to Smith, who lobbed the ball up to Johnson, who put it away for his first Indy goal. Both Smith and Johnson had been quiet most of the night, but both came through when it counted. Once again, an amazing crowd at the Mike. So glad that those who stayed until the end were rewarded. Is there such a thing as a satisfying draw? If so, this was it (although the memory of that first Cosmos goal still haunts).
What a fun atmosphere not only in the stands but tailgating as well. This is my first weekend in Indy so my wife and I went out to the game with some friends. I'm really glad we did. I was quite disappointed on the the coverage for the first goal and then what was going on with the communication between the player and the ref for that free kick that turned into a counter attack goal? Tale of two halves for this squad. First half was not nearly as organized and it showed in the goals. I felt they could have had a few more chances but was excited for the equalizer. It was definitely deserved. Tactically they made a few nice shifts pushing guys forward, three men at the back line w/ dropping in a player to pick the ball up in central defense at the end. Much more bite to the attack and damn those offside flags. Any place other than reading some old threads to learn more about the squad?
Welcome to Indy! The club's website has player profiles. It's a decent starting point, though of course it won't tell you everything (it leaves out things like Norales's appalling positional sense, and the fact that, although Frias is supposedly a central defender, Sommer insists on playing him on the left, where he's been hopeless). That sounds bitter. I'm actually quite pleased with tonight (again, except for the opening goal).
Great job by the guys to claw out a draw after being down 0-2 with 25 minutes left in the match. Once again, we give up multiple goals and again it costs us a victory...but what I take away from that game is the great heart shown by the guys to come back and tie the game. They are waaay out of contention for playoffs, etc, and are in last place. Woulda been easy to hang their heads and take the L. But credit the whole team/staff and the fans. All 4 goals were nice, so a fun entertaining game to watch. But we've played 10 of our 14 home matches without a win...and we've only got 4 shots left to get those fans the victory they deserve to see. Our next two home games are legit chances for wins, as we've beaten them both on their home field for our only two wins this year (Edmonton and then Carolina). But if we don't get it then, we host the top two teams in the league towards the end of the year (Minny and San Antonio)
Frias is indeed horrific on the left, and only slightly better when played in his correct position at Center Back. His lack of hustle on the Cosmos 2nd goal was embarrassing. Johnson has been a nice spark and is truly exciting when dribbling at the defense. Terrific finish on the equalizer - a stylish and audacious looping shot that other Indy Eleven strikers would have probably not taken first time much less thought of it. I read today he admitted misjudging the through ball initially - which caused the defender to do the same I believe.