Kevin Johnston

IndyStar correspondent

The confines of 34-year-old Michael A. Carroll Stadium never looked as starry to coach Tim Hankinson’s Indy Eleven side as they did Saturday.

After a brutal three-game road stretch — across which the club picked up only one point — the Eleven eagerly returned to “The Mike,” but were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw with the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Tampa Bay struck first on a set piece in the 28th minute, when midfielder Justin Chavez got free at the far post and volleyed home a Joe Cole service. Eleven goalkeeper Jon Busch got a hand on the shot, but he couldn’t keep it out of the back of the net.

Cole, a former Premier League stalwart, combined with fellow Rowdies attackers PC and Georgi Hristov to cause the Indy back line sporadic problems, but they were relatively held in check for most of the match.

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Playing as a free-roaming forward to complement Eamon Zayed, Omar Gordon quickly equalized for Indy when he found a surprising amount of space in a crowded 18-yard box and tapped in a low finish to tie the score at 1 in the 34th minute.

Gordon had no offseason after joining Indy immediately following the completion of Montego Bay United FC’s season in the Red Stripe Premier League — his and Hankinson’s previous stop. Gordon credited taking care of his body for his durability.

“I just maintain my fitness. I go in the gym and make sure that my muscles are right,” Gordon said. “As a pro, you know you’re going to play soccer all year. It’s all about maintenance.”

His coach was certainly impressed.

“(Gordon’s) individual effort tonight was just outstanding,” Hankinson said.

Justin Braun, who missed the past several games with an injury, came on as a late sub and immediately energized the Eleven attack with his hold-up play, darting runs and creativity. In the 83rd minute, right midfielder Don Smart got behind the defense and nearly buried the game-winner, but his right-footed blast sailed just over the top corner.

“Guys like Don ran a marathon tonight,” Hankinson said. “He just was nonstop.”

In stoppage time, Brad Ring almost won the game for Indy, but his rifled effort drifted slightly wide of the post. The two clubs would have to settle for a tie at the final whistle.

A name familiar to U.S. national team fans, Freddy Adu, is on the Tampa Bay roster but didn’t dress for the match. He has made just three appearances as a substitute this season, all coming in July.

The draw snapped Indy’s home winning streak at eight games, but moved its home unbeaten streak to 14.

The Eleven will venture to Fort Lauderdale for a Saturday match against the Strikers, then play two consecutive home games as they try to keep pace with the first-place New York Cosmos.