Kevin Johnston

IndyStar correspondent

It took 90 minutes plus another 30 in extra time and a penalty shootout to separate the best teams in the North American Soccer League. For Giovanni Savarese’s New York Cosmos club, it was worth every second.

The top-seeded and host Cosmos downed No. 2 Indy Eleven 0-0 (4-2) in penalties Sunday night to win the 2016 NASL title at Jamaica, N.Y.

For Indy, the runner-up finish caps a hugely successful campaign – a stark turnaround from the team’s bleak first two seasons.

Indy came out aggressively Sunday, racking up numerous fouls early. The Eleven got the better of the opening 20 minutes, then the Cosmos settled in and controlled play.

“We started finding more space and we were able to control the ball – to be able to find those areas that we weren’t finding in the first 20 minutes,” Savarese told CBS Sports Network. “Then we created a lot of chances to be able to score.”

In the 11th minute, striker Eamon Zayed thought he put the visiting side up when he collected a pass from right midfielder Don Smart, turned and fired a left-footed laser at the Cosmos net. But goalkeeper Jimmy Maurer saved the effort.

Smart served numerous crosses into the box while also tracking back on defense to make timely tackles and clearances. Twice his shots struck the crossbar. He eventually cramped up in the 88th minute and was subbed out for Duke Lacroix.

In extra time, Indy regained some of the momentum it had in the first half, but couldn’t find the back of the net. After 120 minutes plus stoppage time, the match headed to a penalty shootout.

Nicki Paterson buried the first penalty for the Eleven, but misses by Zayed and goalkeeper Jon Busch gave the Cosmos some breathing room after the home side drilled its first three attempts. Left back Nemanja Vukovic converted to keep Indy alive, but New York right back Ryan Richter calmly slotted his penalty home to seal it.

Indy ended its remarkable season unbeaten at home across all competitions, finishing second in the NASL regular season (15 wins, seven losses, 10 draws, 55 points) and second in the playoffs.

While the future of the NASL appears opaque, the 2017 season is set to proceed as planned. Currently at 12 teams, the NASL will lose Minnesota United, the Ottawa Fury and Tampa Bay Rowdies this offseason, but will add the San Francisco Deltas.