INDIANAPOLIS – A late goal by Gordon Wild lifted Indy Eleven to a 1-0 victory against Sporting Kansas City II on Saturday night at Michael A. Carroll Stadium as the hosts boosted their playoff hopes while completing an undefeated four-game set against their visitors this season.

Looking to get back in the win column, Indy had a good early chance as Ayoze intercepted a pass in midfield and shifted play to his right for Gershon Koffie. The Ghanaian kept the move moving to the right channel where he found Rece Buckmaster coming in from the flank, and the wingback’s shot was tipped over the crossbar sharply by SKC II goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh. Off the ensuing corner, Indy’s Nicky Law arrived late in the left side of the penalty area as the ball came through from the right, but his shot was blocked before the visitors saw off the danger.

Sporting came up with another key block in the 14th minute as a cross from the right by Buckmaster was half-cleared by Alljaz Dzankic, who then stepped in front of Wild’s follow-up shot to send the ball behind for a corner kick. The visitors then threatened themselves six minutes later as Isaiah LeFlore did well to navigate past defenders on the left and cut a pass back to Ozzie Cisneros, who tried to make one more pass for Jamil Roberts, who was denied a shot as Ayoze intervened to send the ball behind for a corner kick.

Indy continued to carry more of the play as the first half progressed, though, and went close in the 34th minute as Wild claimed possession on the right after helping press the SKC II defense and after moving inside onto his left foot curled a shot toward the top-left corner that rattled the crossbar and caromed away. That momentum continued into the second half as Law played a ball into the left channel for Ayoze as the hosts transitioned into attack only for the Spaniard’s shot to the bottom-right corner to be parried by McIntosh.

The hosts continued to pressure and with 14 minutes to go Carl Haworth played a clever give-and-go to receive possession back at the top of the penalty area but was unable to direct his shot on target as it went just wide of the right post. A minute later the breakthrough arrived for Indy as Nick Moon created space on the right side to cut back a low cross that Wild just corralled before stabbing home a finish into the left side of the net from nine yards out.

Sporting had a chance to level with nine minutes to go when Kayden Pierre found Ropapa Mensah with a low cross from the left that the Ghanaian sent just wide of the right post on a turning effort. There would be no late answer from the visitors, however, as Indy saw out an important three points on home turf.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Gordon Wild, Indy Eleven – Wild bagged the winner for Indy and finished with eight shots overall on the night while also completing two key passes and completing 2 of 2 dribbles in the victory.

Scoring Summary
IND – Gordon Wild (Nick Moon) 77’

Full Box Score