INDIANAPOLIS — Indy Eleven have exercised their right to terminate forward Eamon Zayed’s contract ahead of the 2018 season. A provision of the contract allowed for termination triggered by a switch to the United Soccer League.

The 34-year-old international will leave the club holding the record for most goals scored (26) and most goals in a single season (15). Mr. Hat Trick made history for the team in the spring of 2016 when he helped to deliver the teams first trophy with goals in the 16th, 65th and 85th minute. That day later became known as the “Miracle at the Mike” due to the fact that Indy won the spring title on the third tiebreaker. Zayed is the only Indy Eleven player to record a hat trick in league play. He had two such performances in 2016.

Despite poor results for Indy Eleven throughout much of 2017, Zayed was able place 11 balls in the back of the net and record four assists in 25 starts. Those 11 goals tied him for second in all of the NASL, but were not good enough to earn a nomination for the NASL Golden Ball award. It was probably an oversight.

Zayed was on a multi-year deal and was unable to entertain offers from other teams until the league switch had been announced just a few days ago. No doubt he was under the assumption that he was all set for 2018. This is a yet another casualty caused by the D2 soccer warz and this will not be the only surprise coming out of the Indy front office in the next few days.

Follow Aaron on Twitter: @AGunyon.

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