Kevin Johnson

IndyStar correspondent

Reigning Liga MX clausura winner C.F. Pachuca dropped by Carroll Stadium on Sunday for a friendly match against North American Soccer League spring season champion Indy Eleven. It departed a defeated club as the home side struck early and held on to pull off the 1-0 upset.

Despite Pachuca generally getting the better of the run of play, the Eleven’s opportunism paid dividends. Indy jumped out to a lead in the seventh minute when a mix-up between two Tuzos defenders led to an Eamon Zayed breakaway. The forward shielded off the closest defender and calmly finished inside the far post.

Pachuca continued to threaten throughout but had trouble adapting to the turf, which often affected its sharpness.

An 82nd-minute fingertip save by Indy goalkeeper Keith Cardona helped seal the win. While results in friendlies are meaningless, the win was a confidence-builder for the Eleven as they prepare for the NASL fall season.

“Nice to get a win always,” said Eleven defender Greg Janicki, who donned the captain’s armband with usual captain Colin Falvey injured. “I think they gave us a bit of a gift and Eamon took advantage of it like he tends to do. So one-nothing, got the clean sheet against Pachuca, and it feels good to win a game no matter what it is.”

Central midfielder Gerardo Torrado, one of the most decorated Mexican international players of all time, debuted for Indy. In addition to Torrado, Eleven coach Tim Hankinson went with a blend of regular starters and reserves.

“What (Torrado) does so well is — almost every single time he receives the ball — he makes the right decision with it,” Hankinson said. “He makes the right complete pass with it. He keeps a calm under pressure which, in time, as his teammates get to spend more time with him, will create more calm in their possession.”

A name familiar to American soccer fans anchored the Pachuca back four: Omar Gonzalez. The U.S. national team center back started and put in a solid 45-minute shift for the Tuzos before being subbed off at halftime.

Next, Indy opens its NASL fall campaign Saturday at Puerto Rico FC in the new NASL franchise’s first match.