The New York Cosmos fell 2-1 to Indy Eleven at Michael A. Carroll Stadium Saturday night, as Indy scored twice in the match’s final minutes.
Kranjčar struck first in the 51st minute, opening his Cosmos account after Greg Janicki took down Sebastián Guenzatti in front of the goal following a cross from Adam Moffat. The Croatian international stepped up and put his well-taken penalty into the net, with Indy goalkeeper Jon Busch diving to the opposite post.
Midfielder Michael Lahoud had a quality chance to double the Cosmos advantage on the hour mark when he settled a bouncing ball and put it on frame from the top of the 18-yard box, but Busch made the stop.
“In the second half we were a different team,” Cosmos Head Coach Giovanni Savarese said after the game. “We came out, controlled the match, created chances and then were able to score the goal.”
The Cosmos’ best opportunity to increase the lead came in the 82nd minute, when Lucky Mkosana slipped through Indy Eleven’s center backs and fired off a shot that missed just wide of the right post.
But Indy Eleven roared back late, equalizing from the penalty spot through forward Eamon Zayed in the 90th minute. Zayed followed with his second of the night, burying a rebound off a save by Cosmos goalkeeper Kyle Zobeck deep into five minutes of second-half stoppage time.
“For me, the PK was a game changer,” Savarese said, alluding to an Indy penalty awarded off a corner kick. “I think after the PK the team lost a bit its composure.
Despite the loss, Savarese praised his starting goalkeeper of the evening. “Kyle had a great performance, a fantastic game. I think he was even better in the second half. It was a very positive performance from him,” he added.
With the loss, New York’s record is now 2-0-1 through three NASL Spring Season matches. The Cosmos head to NSC Stadium in Blaine, Minn. next for a Saturday, April 23 matchup against Minnesota United FC. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.
