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Cosmos Dealt First Defeat of Season at Indy
INDIANAPOLIS (April 16, 2016) – The New York Cosmos fell 2-1 to Indy Eleven at Michael A. Carroll Stadium Saturday night, as Indy scored twice in the match's final minutes.
Midfielder Niko KranjÄar gave New York the lead from the penalty spot in the 51st minute, and it appeared the Cosmos were on their way to winning a third consecutive match to start the NASL campaign. But Indy Eleven roared back late, equalizing from the penalty spot through forward Eamon Zayed in the 90th minute. Zayed followed with his second, burying a rebound off a save by Cosmos goalkeeper Kyle Zobeck deep into five minutes of second-half stoppage time.
“I thought we had the game in control," Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese said after the match. "For me, the [Indy] PK was a game changer.”
KranjÄar struck first, opening his Cosmos account after Greg Janicki took down Sebastián Guenzatti in front of goal following a cross from Adam Moffat. The Croatian international stepped up and put his well-taken penalty into the net, with Indy goalkeeper Jon Busch diving to the opposite post.
Midfielder Michael Lahoud had a quality chance to double the Cosmos advantage on the hour mark when he settled a bouncing ball and put it on frame from the top of the 18-yard box, but Busch made the stop.
“I thought in the second half we were a different team,” said Savarese. “We came out, controlled the match, created chances and then were able to score the goal.”
Zobeck made his first start of the season. The former Valparaiso standout made an excellent save in first-half stoppage time, parrying Indy Eleven midfielder Dylan Mares' rising blast from 16 yards out. Despite the loss, Savarese praised his goalkeeper.
“He had a great performance, a fantastic game,” Savarese said. “Zobeck was very strong. I think he was even better in the second half. It was a very positive performance from him."
The Cosmos' best opportunity of the first half came in the 32nd minute, when KranjÄar played a through ball to Guenzatti, but his shot from 17 yards went over the crossbar.
With the loss New York's record is now 2-0-1 (W-D-L) through three NASL Spring Season matches. The Cosmos head to NSC Stadium in Blaine, Minn. next for an April 23 matchup with Minnesota United FC. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET next Saturday night.
