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SCOUTING THE OPPONENT: Indy Eleven

Players to watch as Cosmos look for first ever win in Indianapolis.
Published Oct 6, 2017

The New York Cosmos travel to Michael A. Carroll stadium to battle Indy Eleven for the fourth and final time this season, with the Cosmos winless through the first three matches (2D-1L). 

In their last matchup at MCU Park, the Cosmos were victimized by an early Gerardo Torrado brace before rallying to earn a point in a 3-3 draw. This time, they will need to hold Torrado and his dangerous teammates off the board to have a shot at a win.

The 2016 NASL finalists return a number of players to their squad as they sit on the outside of the playoff picture, five points behind the Cosmos for fourth place in the Combined Standings. 

Goalkeeper: Jon Busch

Veteran goalkeeper, Jon Bush, is likely to be in the net for Indy Eleven on Saturday night. The 41-year-old Queens native will need to be on top of his game in order to shut down the squad from his home state.

Despite his experience, Busch has shown no signs of slowing down. He has played in all but one of Indy Eleven’s games so far this season. However, the 44 goals he has conceded are the most in the NASL by 11 goals. Busch has stopped 67.4 percent of the shots he has faced and recorded six clean sheets in 26 games played. His 91 saves rank second in the NASL behind North Carolina FC’s Brian Sylvestre. 

Busch has started all three games against New York this season, stopping 18 of 23 Cosmos shots.

Defender: Nemanja Vukovic

Left back, Nemanja Vukovic, has been a force for Indy Eleven on both sides of the field. The 33-year-old Montenegrin currently leads his team with 158 total crosses, which ranks third in the NASL. 

The defender has played the full 90 minutes in each game against the Cosmos this season. His corner kick assisted on the game-winning goal in the 75th minute for Indy Eleven in a 2-1 win over the Cosmos on July 8 in Indianapolis.

Midfielder: Ben Speas

Look for Ben Speas to be in the center of Indy’s attack on Saturday night. The 26-year-old has completed 320 of 447 passes this season, averaging 21.7 passes per game. 

Speas ranks tied for sixth in the NASL with 36 chances created, while also ranking sixth in the league with 91 total crosses.

On July 4 in Brooklyn, Speas opened the scoring by finishing from inside the box in a 1-1 draw against the Cosmos at MCU Park. On August 19, Speas did not record a shot on target and only created one chance in a 3-3 draw.

Forward: Eamon Zayed

One of the most dangerous offensive threats in the league, Eamon Zayed, will look to keep his hot streak going. On the day of his 34th birthday on Wednesday night, Zayed scored twice to lead Indy past Puerto Rico FC, 2-1.

The pair of goals gives Zayed nine on the season to rank fourth in the NASL, while converting on 20 percent of his shots.

Zayed is a threat to score whenever he is near the goal, as eight of his nine tallies have come inside the box. When he elevates, the Cosmos will need to keep up as four of his goals have been on headers.  

In his last game against the Cosmos on August 19, Zayed scored a goal and added an assist in the 3-3 draw.

Watch the Cosmos battle Indy Eleven on MSG Networks and ESPN3 at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night.