Coney Island

Cosmos fall 2-1 to Indy in tough road test

Ledesma Scores Fifth Goal in Eight Games

July 10, 2017 By Scott Enman Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Emmanuel Ledesma scored his team-leading fifth goal of the year for the Cosmos on Saturday. The Argentine midfielder has scored a goal every 65 minutes since June 1st. Ledesma’s brace, however, was not enough as New York lost 2-1 to Indy Eleven. Photos courtesy of Indy Eleven
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Indianapolis has been an unkind place for the Cosmos to play through the years.

Going into Saturday’s match, New York had not won against Indy Eleven in the Midwest city in five meetings.

That streak was extended to six games as Indy defeated the Cosmos 2-1 in their second meeting in five days at a packed Michael A. Carroll Stadium.

With four players missing on international duty due to the ongoing Gold Cup, Cosmos head coach Giovanni Savarese was forced to use a makeshift lineup yet again.

Despite the limited bench, however, the Cosmos were dangerous throughout the match, but a questionable penalty decision by the referee and a bad giveaway from David Ochieng proved to be the difference in the game.

“Today we showed great spirit,” said Savarese. “Under different circumstances, the game could have been ours.”

After Don Smart converted a penalty kick in the 16th minute, Emmanuel Ledesma came through in the clutch with a game-tying goal in the 27th minute.

Ledesma has been one of the few bright spots for the Cosmos recently, with the team only securing five points in their last five games.

After a buildup at the top of the box, Eric Calvillo laid off the ball for Ledesma, who hit a powerful left-footed shot to the near post. It was Calvillo’s first assist for the Cosmos and Ledesma’s fifth goal in eight games.

Ledesma has scored a goal every 65 minutes since June 1.

The Argentine midfielder, who has played in only eight matches, proved once again that he is able to score critical goals in close games as the team’s leading scorer.

The match looked to be going in the direction of a draw until Ochieng gave away a corner kick in the 75th minute.

The hosts capitalized on the mistake on the ensuing corner as Indy forward Justin Braun broke free from his defender with a curling run and headed the ball into the net past Jimmy Maurer.

The Cosmos finished the game with only one shot on target.

New York will look to secure three points in their final match against Edmonton FC on Saturday in their push for the playoffs.

The winners of the spring and fall campaigns get automatic qualification into the four-team playoffs. The next two teams with the best records over the course of the two seasons get the final two spots.

The Cosmos’ best chance of making the playoffs will be to win the upcoming Fall Season as they currently sit in fourth place with 21 points.

Miami FC was officially crowned Spring Season Champion over the weekend when the team triumphed over the San Francisco Deltas.

New York will look to build some momentum going into the fall campaign as they use the two-week break between the seasons to regroup and get everyone healthy.

The Cosmos continue their road trip with a game against FC Edmonton on Saturday at 9 pm. The match will be broadcast on ESPN3.

New York will open the North American Soccer League Fall Season against Miami FC on July 29 at MCU Park.

 

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