PONTIAC (May 17, 2017) – Indy Eleven’s run to the 2017 U.S. Open Cup was put to a halt as it began in a 1-0 loss to USL PDL club, the Michigan Bucks.
Advancing to the Second Round of the historic competition following a 1-0 win over AFC Ann Arbor in the First Round, the Bucks welcomed Indy Eleven fresh off a 3-2 defeat to Miami FC. “Indiana’s Team” brought a side to Pontiac that featured defenders Nemanja Vukovic and Anthony Manning, both of whom earned their first starts since their return from injury, and kept young forward David Goldsmith up front with Justin Braun in place of the injured Eamon Zayed.
The opening quarter of an hour saw both sides get the lay of the land with neither creating a quality opportunity. However, in the 16th minute, Indy brought their attack to the match in the form of David Goldsmith. Linking up with Braun, the former Butler standout received the ball near the top of the box and shifted quickly, rifling a right-footed shot off the inside of the right post and out. In the right place at the right time, Braun was able to send a secondary effort at the Bucks ‘keeper Drew Sheperd, but the shot-stopper was equal to both. Just after the half-hour mark, Indy found their second chance of the half on a Tanner Thompson set piece. As the IU product connected with another former Hoosier in Brad Ring, the latter could not keep his header on frame.
In the 35th minute, the hosts would take their first real opportunity of the night and capitalize. Forward Francis Atuahene shot up the flank and got on the right side of defender Kwame Watson-Siriboe. In cutting inside, the Michigan man struck a low ball towards Cardona that the Indy ‘netminder couldn’t get a finger to, and gifted his side a first half lead.
Coming out of the halftime break, Indy replaced midfielder Daniel Keller with Ben Speas and came out flying. Creating a couple of opportunities inside the opening 10 minutes of the second half, Indy’s best look came from Tanner Thompson. Settling a pass from Jason Plumhoff, Thompson elected to take on a curler from just outside the box, but his shot could not come around in time to find the side of the net.
At the hour mark, Indy brought on defender Marco Franco in his return from injury. In the fifteen-minute span that followed, Indy would create three chances – one for Speas, one for Thompson, and one for Braun – but none would level the scoring. As momentum shifted the way of Indy, the Bucks found success on the counter-attack and nearly doubled their lead in the 81st minute. Substitute forward Elliot Collier broke in on goal and tested Cardona, but the ‘keeper made an incredible save to prevent a two-goal deficit. On the follow-up, substitute midfielder Ivo Cerda would also see his shot saved and then cleared off the line by Watson-Siriboe.
Though they pushed their press to the final whistle, Indy did not find another solid look at goal and their 2017 U.S. Open Cup run would be brought to an end on the 1-0 line.
The “Boys in Blue” return home to IUPUI’s Michael A. Carroll Stadium to host Miami FC on Saturday, May 20 at 7:30 P.M. ET. Tickets for the game – and all remaining 13+ NASL matches at “The Mike” in 2017 – can be purchased for as little as $11 online at www.www.indyeleven.com or by phone at 317-685-1100.
NASL Spring Season
Michigan Bucks 1 : 0 Indy Eleven
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Ultimate Soccer Arenas – Pontiac, MI
Scoring Summary:
MGN – Francis Atuahene (Jordon Snell) 35’
Discipline Summary:
MGN – Ivo Cerda 49’
IND – Anthony Manning 88’
Indy Eleven line-up (4-4-2, L–>R): Keith Cardona (GK); Nemanja Vukovic, Anthony Manning, Kwame Watson-Siriboe, Lovel Palmer; Daniel Keller (Ben Speas 45’), Brad Ring, Tanner Thompson, Jason Plumhoff (Marco Franco 61’); Justin Braun, David Goldsmith
IND bench: Christian Lomeli (GK); Brandon Poltronieri
Michigan Bucks line-up (4-3-3, L->R): Drew Sheperd (GK); Alexi Souahy, Mo Kaba, Daniel Mukuna, Jared Timmer; Jordon Snell, Brad Dunwell, Tom Owens, Grant Stoneman (Ivo Cerda 46’); Francis Atuahene, Andre Landell (Elliot Collier 66’)
MGN bench: Anthony Mwembia (GK)
PONTIAC (May 17, 2017) – Indy Eleven’s run to the 2017 U.S. Open Cup was put to a halt as it began in a 1-0 loss to USL PDL club, the Michigan Bucks.
Advancing to the Second Round of the historic competition following a 1-0 win over AFC Ann Arbor in the First Round, the Bucks welcomed Indy Eleven fresh off a 3-2 defeat to Miami FC. “Indiana’s Team” brought a side to Pontiac that featured defenders Nemanja Vukovic and Anthony Manning, both of whom earned their first starts since their return from injury, and kept young forward David Goldsmith up front with Justin Braun in place of the injured Eamon Zayed.
The opening quarter of an hour saw both sides get the lay of the land with neither creating a quality opportunity. However, in the 16th minute, Indy brought their attack to the match in the form of David Goldsmith. Linking up with Braun, the former Butler standout received the ball near the top of the box and shifted quickly, rifling a right-footed shot off the inside of the right post and out. In the right place at the right time, Braun was able to send a secondary effort at the Bucks ‘keeper Drew Sheperd, but the shot-stopper was equal to both. Just after the half-hour mark, Indy found their second chance of the half on a Tanner Thompson set piece. As the IU product connected with another former Hoosier in Brad Ring, the latter could not keep his header on frame.
In the 35th minute, the hosts would take their first real opportunity of the night and capitalize. Forward Francis Atuahene shot up the flank and got on the right side of defender Kwame Watson-Siriboe. In cutting inside, the Michigan man struck a low ball towards Cardona that the Indy ‘netminder couldn’t get a finger to, and gifted his side a first half lead.
Coming out of the halftime break, Indy replaced midfielder Daniel Keller with Ben Speas and came out flying. Creating a couple of opportunities inside the opening 10 minutes of the second half, Indy’s best look came from Tanner Thompson. Settling a pass from Jason Plumhoff, Thompson elected to take on a curler from just outside the box, but his shot could not come around in time to find the side of the net.
At the hour mark, Indy brought on defender Marco Franco in his return from injury. In the fifteen-minute span that followed, Indy would create three chances – one for Speas, one for Thompson, and one for Braun – but none would level the scoring. As momentum shifted the way of Indy, the Bucks found success on the counter-attack and nearly doubled their lead in the 81st minute. Substitute forward Elliot Collier broke in on goal and tested Cardona, but the ‘keeper made an incredible save to prevent a two-goal deficit. On the follow-up, substitute midfielder Ivo Cerda would also see his shot saved and then cleared off the line by Watson-Siriboe.
Though they pushed their press to the final whistle, Indy did not find another solid look at goal and their 2017 U.S. Open Cup run would be brought to an end on the 1-0 line.
The “Boys in Blue” return home to IUPUI’s Michael A. Carroll Stadium to host Miami FC on Saturday, May 20 at 7:30 P.M. ET. Tickets for the game – and all remaining 13+ NASL matches at “The Mike” in 2017 – can be purchased for as little as $11 online at www.www.indyeleven.com or by phone at 317-685-1100.
NASL Spring Season
Michigan Bucks 1 : 0 Indy Eleven
Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Ultimate Soccer Arenas – Pontiac, MI
Scoring Summary:
MGN – Francis Atuahene (Jordon Snell) 35’
Discipline Summary:
MGN – Ivo Cerda 49’
IND – Anthony Manning 88’
Indy Eleven line-up (4-4-2, L–>R): Keith Cardona (GK); Nemanja Vukovic, Anthony Manning, Kwame Watson-Siriboe, Lovel Palmer; Daniel Keller (Ben Speas 45’), Brad Ring, Tanner Thompson, Jason Plumhoff (Marco Franco 61’); Justin Braun, David Goldsmith
IND bench: Christian Lomeli (GK); Brandon Poltronieri
Michigan Bucks line-up (4-3-3, L->R): Drew Sheperd (GK); Alexi Souahy, Mo Kaba, Daniel Mukuna, Jared Timmer; Jordon Snell, Brad Dunwell, Tom Owens, Grant Stoneman (Ivo Cerda 46’); Francis Atuahene, Andre Landell (Elliot Collier 66’)
MGN bench: Anthony Mwembia (GK)
