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Suri Rojas

Much like in their three meetings in 2014, Indy Eleven and the New York Cosmos were forced to share the spoils, this time from a 1-1 draw that marked the opening of Indy Eleven’s home slate at IUPUI’s Michael A. Carroll Stadium.

Indy Eleven forward Brian Brown opened the scoring in the early going, but saw his tally countered in the 65th minute by New York superstar forward Raul. The result pushed Indy Eleven’s undefeated streak to seven games dating back to last October (3W-4D-0L).

“It was a good start to get the early goal. That’s what we talked about before the game, and Brian got off the mark with a goal in his home appearance, so that was good,” said Indy Eleven head coach Juergen Sommer.  “Going into the second half, you’re not thinking about having to make substitutions for outside fullbacks and defensive center [midfielders], so that really changed the dynamic of the game. We were pinned in there. We know they’re a good team and that it was going to come down to one or two opportunities on either end, and Brian made the most of his in the first half.”

After failing to lead the Cosmos for even a minute during last year’s three contests, Indy Eleven (0W-2D-0L, 2 pts., 6th in NASL standings) would go ahead on an opportunistic goal by the newcomer Brown in the 12th minute.  Cosmos goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer wandered five yards out of his penalty area to head away a through ball, but his clearance made it only as far as Brown, as then Jamaican took a touch before looping a ball inside the right post and into the empty net from 30 yards out.

Defender Roversio would have the first quality chance for New York (1W-1D-0L, 4 pts., 2nd in NASL) just minutes after the Brown goal, but Eleven goalkeeper Kristian Nicht was on the spot to save the header.  Indy had a chance to double up in the 25th minute through Dylan Mares, but Maurer would be up to the task, diving low to bat away the midfielder’s effort destined for the far left post.

As the first half wore on the visitors would carry the bulk of the possession, if not always converting it into quality offensive chances. That would change when New York evened things up the 65th minute, and it was the Spanish legend Raul doing the deed, his header from inside the six off of Ayoze’s cross from a short corner bringing the match to 1-1.

Indy Eleven’s best chance to go back on top came in the 78th minute, when a quick counter through substitute defender Kyle Hyland and Brown made its way to a streaking Charlie Rugg, whose contested shot from 15 yards out sailed over the crossbar.  New York had a golden chance to go up with just 90 seconds left in regulation when Lucky Mkosana got on the end of Marcos Senna’s driven free ball into the area, but the Zimbabwean steered his header right at Nicht on his line.

Indy Eleven continues its Spring Season slate next Saturday, April 18, with an away contest against the defending NASL champion San Antonio Scorpions. Kickoff from Toyota Field in the Alamo City is set for 8:30 p.m. ET (live streaming video on ESPN3.com).

The “Boys in Blue” will next defend “The Mike” on April 25, when it welcomes the Carolina RailHawks on Family 4-Pack Night at Carroll Stadium.  Fans can take advantage of the special $79 ticket and food deal by visitinghttp://fourpack.indyeleven.com, while general single-game seating starts at just $10 – for full ticket information, visit www.IndyEleven.com/tickets or call 317-685-1100.