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Mares Thrilled by Instant Impact in Indy Return

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 08/23/18, 3:16PM EDT

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Return to Eleven’s lineup saw midfielder produce standout game-winner vs. Toronto

INDIANAPOLIS – The venue and the teammates might have changed, but as he drove forward from midfield into the left channel before curling a finish past a retreating defense and diving goalkeeper into the right corner of the net on Wednesday night it was almost as though Dylan Mares had never left.

Making his return to the Indy Eleven lineup – where he had previously starred for three seasons – after spending the past 18 months in Miami, Mares produced the decisive finish as he reintroduced himself on a night of high entertainment at Lucas Oil Stadium that saw the hosts claim a 3-2 victory against Toronto FC II that moved the Eleven into sixth place in the Eastern Conference.

“We had a couple guys who made some really good runs. Ben [Speas] was on my left side and he drew some people away and so did Soony [Saad],” said Mares of the goal. “Soony stretched them and they just kept moving back and back and it allowed me to open up and pick out the side net. It was well done by everyone else. They gave me the space to create an opportunity.”

Mares had recorded 10 goals and 15 assists in 73 appearances as he began his professional career in his home state after a collegiate career split between the University of Louisville and Indiana University. Now 26 years old, the added maturity in his game made him an ideal midseason addition for the Eleven, with Head Coach Martin Rennie full of praise for Mares after the game.


Indy Eleven's Dylan Mares gets congratulated by teammates after scoring on Wednesday night against Toronto FC II. | Photo courtesy Trevor Ruszkowski / Indy Eleven

“I think he’s developed a lot in his game and his tactical awareness,” said Rennie. “You saw it with the not only his decision making, but the finish. What you maybe didn’t see was Ben Speas made a fantastic overlapping run which drew the defender away and Soony made a great fading run which stretched the defense. So, there was a lot in that goal, but the finish was the most important part. It was great to see him do that. That hopefully makes him feel part of the team and gets him off to a great start. We’re glad he’s here.”

Mares’ goal allowed Indy to take victory against a Toronto side that produced a pair of beautiful finishes as well to come back from a two-goal deficit midway through the first half. A perfectly-placed free kick by Tsubasa Endoh that left Indy goalkeeper Owain Fôn Williams helpless as it picked out the top-left corner and a long-range strike by Canadian international Jordan Hamilton left the game level at halftime.

As tight as the race for the playoffs in the Eastern Conference remains, that made it imperative for Indy to come out with all three points on a night that also saw Bethlehem Steel FC take a big home victory against Ottawa Fury FC and continue their drive toward the postseason.

For Mares, though, the official return to his former club couldn’t have resulted in a better first step toward a successful run to the USL Cup Playoffs.

“It’s an exciting time coming back and being in the city,” said Mares. “The people here are just great. The team is very welcoming. That makes the transition a little bit easier. Moving is never easy, especially in the middle of the year. It’s been great. I’ve only gotten in a few practices and this is the first time playing in this stadium. It’s a great venue and it’s been awesome.”

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