Indy Eleven’s Justin Braun Named NASL Player of the Week
Justin Braun of Indy Eleven has received NASL Player of the Week honors after leading his club to a hard-fought draw on the road versus Puerto Rico FC. Braun enters his second season with the Boys in Blue after a stellar 2016 season that saw the forward record eight goals and five assists.
NASL Soccer News: Indy Eleven forward Justin Braun has been selected as the North American Soccer League (NASL) Player of the Week after playing a role in all three goals during the club’s weekend matchup.
The 29-year-old forward scored twice and recorded an assist in Indy’s 3-3 draw with Puerto Rico FC – a game that kept all 9,064 fans at Carroll Stadium on the edge of their seats. The result extended Indy’s home unbeaten streak to 19 matches.
Braun didn’t waste any time putting the Boys in Blue on the scoresheet on Saturday afternoon, finding the back of the net in the fifth minute. The 6-foot-3 forward found himself on the receiving end of defender Nemanja Vukovic’s free kick, heading the ball past goalkeeper Trevor Spangenberg from close range.
Just five minutes later, Braun set up Indy’s second goal, perfectly lifting a ball over the top of the Puerto Rico defense to teammate Ben Speas. The midfielder ran onto Braun’s pass and calmly chipped Spangenberg.
Puerto Rico answered back, and it was the visitors who carried a 3-2 lead deep into the second half until Braun scored his second on the night. The veteran struck a half-volley high into the net from 18 yards out, bringing the Boys in Blue level and ultimately earning the side a point in a wild, six-goal affair.
Braun joined the club in early 2016 from USL side Sacramento Republic, and ended up turning in a solid first season for the Indiana club. The Utah native recorded eight goals and notched five assists in 25 league appearances last season.
Indy and Puerto Rico meet again this Saturday at Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET. The game can be seen live on beIN SPORTS USA and beIN SPORTS CONNECT.
Photo Credit: North American Soccer League
