



Vukovic on how it felt to bring Indy to 1-1. "It means a lot to be honest. The first game and score for 1-1...better 1 point than nothing."

7:39 PM - 9 Apr 2016

- The Eleven draw 1-1 against Ottawa earning their second point in as many matches in this young but furious spring season. 2 of 10 games are gone and this was one of those ties that felt like a win and a loss.Indy have now broken the curse against their 2014 expansion twins and managed to partially defend Michael Carroll Stadium for the first time. The boys in blue have prevented the Fury from taking all 3 points up north and Ottawa will feel they missed a real opportunity to do so.This game could have been a win for Indy Eleven and they should also feel they didn't get it done on Saturday, but they will be happy for Nemanja Vukovic and his late game equalizer that helped to salvage an otherwise cold Indiana night.The battle was once again in the midfield. Neither team really mounted much of a menacing attack in the first half, however, the stats tipped dramatically for the visitors as Indy yielded the bulk of possession in their second straight game.Adjustments were made at the half and marking issues seemed to have been identified and addressed. However, Ottawa deserve credit for unlocking Indy and stringing together a set of passes that would unravel the Eleven in the 56th minute.It was well executed and something that resembled an NBA fast break and alley-oop. The ball was feed in to the point guard, the big fella making a run was rewarded for his efforts on the left and all that was left was the perfectly weighted lob over a sleeping defender for an easy finish.Who was that sleeping defender? It was none other than our hero...Nemanja Vukovic. To be fair, in the split second decisions that happen all the time in soccer, Vukovic felt if he touched the ball he may score an own goal. Perhaps he could have tracked his run a bit better, but it was a great pass that beat him and the breakdowns for Indy were happening in succession at that point.Why was this goal frustrating to watch? Because breakdowns for Indy were happening in succession at that point and at no time was the home team outnumbered. What initially looked like 5 Fury players smashing into 7 Eleven (hehe) defenders proved to be too much for Indy. The central midfielders Brad Ring and Nicki Paterson were chasing this play from the beginning and never got to influence the Ottawa possession.Indy Eleven will be in trouble any time both CDMs are running toward their own goal and not with their backs comfortably toward it. Paterson has been trailing plays too much for my taste and he is now on my naughty list of players to watch. He earned a yellow for unnecessary contact against Ottawa Keeper Peiser. There was embellishment on the part of Peiser but the behavior from Paterson is indicative of a player frustrated and aware that he is being outplayed. I would rather see him keep his distance and avoid bookings. The man of the match was of course Nemanja Vukovic for his late game heroics. It was cold and he fought hard for 95 plus minutes and no doubt he was fueled by the vociferous Brickyard Battalion. Well done to the entire crowd and thank you for continuing to lead the league. The BYB is my honorary MOTM.This was a game I felt Indy should win. I actually called it a must win before the game. Not because of the implications for the standings but more as a statement of where the team is now.There were a lot of former Ottawa players on this squad and they all were playing to win. Some of them even guaranteed victory. I don't mind the trash talk and I approve of the mindset, but I do mind the result. The first home game of 2016 needed to be a win in order to prove that Indy 3.0 is better than previous versions. Indy had opened at home with draws before and those seasons were painful and will hopefully be forgotten.Ottawa was dismantled in the offseason and is a shadow of their former selves. Ottawa was dispatched last week in a 3-0 shutout. Probably should have been a bloodbath. Huge questions for Indy remain now with communication and organization in central midfield. Dylan Mares is not the player he was last season for whatever reason and Sinisa Ubiparipovic hobled yet again with an injury is troubling so early on in 2016. He has not fully gained fitness through preseason and this hamstring issue wont speed things along.Truthfully, Indy is both happy and lucky to be where they are right now.@ForeverCheckers