Forward Eamon Zayed Settling Quickly To The U.S., Indy Eleven
Photo credit: Indy Eleven/Trevor Ruszkowski
Eamon Zayed etched his name into Indy Eleven lore with two goals in the dwindling minutes against the New York Cosmos. The goals led to a dramatic, 2-1, win, ending the six-game draw streak against the defending champions, and preserving the Boys in Blue’s unbeaten record in the process.
Zayed’s tenure in the NASL, though, can be traced back to the coach of Indy’s next opponent Rayo OKC.
“The first prospect of me coming to America was back in 2012 and it was the coach of Rayo OKC, Alen Marcina, who contacted me about coming to the San Antonio Scorpions. He was the assistant manager at the time and after a few calls with him I got in contact with Tim Hankinson and we’ve remained in contact.”
Zayed, 32, is no stranger to moving to new surroundings and thriving. He was a member of Barclays Premier League side Leicester City’s academy before making his senior-team debut in his native Ireland with Bray Wanderers. He’s also played in Iran and Malyasia, while representing Libya on the international level. Those experiences, and the help of fellow Irishman Colin Falvey, has helped Zayed settle quickly into the Eleven’s squad.
His first goals for his new club couldn’t have come a moment too soon, punctuated by a leap into the Brickyard Battalion when his eventual game-winner hit the back of the net in the 95th minute.
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“It was perfect the way it was scored and against our Brickyard Battalion end where our hardcore fans are,” Zayed said. “It was just jubilation and joy, and it was a perfect ending to the game to jump into the stands – not just me, but my teammates. It was a good moment for the club, and it could be a pivotal moment in the Spring Season.”
Indy’s result against the Cosmos was just the latest in resilience. The club equalized in the 89th minute against Ottawa Fury FC to draw 1-1 a week prior. That character, though, bolds well moving through the remainder of the Spring Season and beyond.
“We’re a tight-knit team and we’ve come together quite well in the preseason,” Zayed said. “The last-minute goals against New York and equalizer against Ottawa will be pivotal because we know now that if we find ourselves down that we’ll push right through to the end and always believe we can get a goal.
“Ideally we’d like to score first and we haven’t done that yet. Looking at this Saturday’s game against Rayo OKC, that is going to be our aim. But, to have that in the back of our mind, if we do go a goal down that we are well capable of coming back will be of use through the games to follow in the Spring Season and further into the Fall Season.”
Indy’s next test is now against Rayo OKC, which is coming off its first win in club history, and has been a strong attacking side. If the Boys in Blue can keep building off their previous performances after its bye week, Zayed believes they can get a positive result on the road.
“We’re confident, we’re coming off the back of a win, and we’re getting better,” Zayed said. “We just need to continue to do what we’re doing.”
If he can get on the scoresheet, it’ll make it all that much sweeter.
“I’ve spoken to him over the phone and on Skype and Facebook, but I never actually met him in person,” Zayed said of Marcina. “It’s going to be funny. Every football move I’ve made I can trace it back. Indy Eleven started in 2012 when Alen Marcina contacted me and then Tim Hankinson went to Indy Eleven.
“I might shake his hand and say ‘Cheers, you are partly the reason for me coming to America.’ I mean, four years later, but I got here.
“I’m looking forward to Saturday and playing against Alen Marcina. I’d love to score against Rayo OKC and Alen Marcina. Not because I have anything against them, but just for the fun of it. It’d be nice to score this Saturday. I’ll shake his hand anyway, before or after the game, and I’ll say ‘Thanks for helping me get here.’ Hopefully it’s after we’ve beaten them and I scored against them.”
