INDIANAPOLIS:
Indy Eleven concluded its first regular season campaign falling 1-0 to Louisville City last weekend across the “Ohio” at Slugger Field. Despite the loss, Indy Eleven clinched its first playoff berth in the United Soccer League securing the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference. Despite some bad performances late in the Season Indy Eleven will finish the season with a 13-11-10 record for their first USL Championship campaign. This article showcases 3 important impacts that the club has had in the 2018 Season and a quick preview for their upcoming playoff match against Louisville City.
The Players:
Indy Eleven cleaned house at the end of the 2017 season. Of course, finishing second to last that season definitely called for that. But acquisitions such as Jack Mcinerney who scored 10 goals for the Club in 30 Appearances, Eugene Starikov from the New York Cosmos (6 goals) and of course Soony Saad. Ayoze Garcia was a solid pick up for the backfield banging in 4 goals in 28 appearances. Don’t forget the homecoming of household names such as Dylan Mares and Zach Steinberger back in Indy as well. Overall the team is an absolute 180 degree turn from the 2017 squad and we have a lot to look forward to following the Playoffs. A few questions do rise early on for Zach Steinberger’s future. Will, Steinberger sign with North Carolina FC after going on loan and almost salvaging their season? Only time will tell.
Martin Rennie:
The acquisition of Martin Rennie to Indy Eleven was (and is) a solid addition to the team. Having a coach with experience from the entire US Soccer Pyramid along with a UEFA Pro License from his time managing abroad. On the North American side, however, he’s best known for leading the Vancouver Whitecaps to their first MLS Cup Playoff appearance and a Cascadia Cup. Rennie helped Indy Eleven take the USL by storm this season by gutting the existing roster and creating a new one along with a good run of form midseason saw Indy’s first playoff birth in the United Soccer League. It’s a good start. There definitely will be a lot to look forward to next season.
Lucas Oil Stadium:
Many have their reservations playing at Lucas Oil Stadium, of course, competing with American Football lines on a Soccer pitch can definitely be an issue. However, having Indy Eleven play in a “new stadium” has it’s plus sides. 1. Expansion. Indy Eleven is up in attendance this season averaging 10,163 fans according to the United Soccer League’s attendance figures. Currently ranked 3rd in League attendance the long-term move to LOS is starting pay off statistically speaking this means Indy is 1,209 fans from 2017’s average of 8,954 attendees. The long-term strategy for the Club is to build a Soccer Specific Stadium in the City of Indianapolis but right now for the time being at Lucas Oil Stadium is good for the Club. There are some kinks that still need to be worked out in how the Brickyard Battalion will continue to operate having so much more space to cover in having a larger section but overall the experience continues to get better.
Indy has made it clear last offseason that they intend to continue to use Carroll Stadium at IUPUI in the event that different events at LOS conflict with the Eleven.
Looking on to Louisville:
The Louisville City – Indy Eleven rivalry has been a spectacle to watch since Louisville was established in 2015. The all-time record of the clubs is (2-2-2) in all competitions One of the most notable performances was Indy Eleven’s win over LCFC at home in the 2016 US Open Cup. Omar Gordon and Indy Eleven all-time leading goal scorer Eamon Zayed scored in the match to carry Indy Eleven to the next round of the Cup. As for the 2018 USL Campaign Indy Eleven and Louisville are still quite equal sharing a 1-1-1 record. The most recent result, of course, was when the Eleven fell to Louisville at Slugger Field 1-0. As for the Playoff match Expect a tough match. On paper the teams match up pretty evenly, however, there are a few different details to note with this match. Louisville City is the defending USL Cup Champions. On top of this, they have a great history when it comes to the Playoffs in the USL. Indy Eleven’s only playoff experience was in the 2016 NASL Championship where they went on to play in their first playoff final against Cosmos where they would fall to New York on penalties. As for this season, however, expect a good showing from the Eleven. Geographically this will be an awesome match because you will see a full away section of fans from the BYB on site for the match. Indy Eleven can win but it will indeed be tough.
Author’s Final Word:
Overall, I’m quite impressed with how Indy Eleven has navigated the 2018 campaign. The new coach, new atmosphere, and new players has definitely paid off for the Eleven this season. I expect Indy to come in on all cylinders to upset City and move on in the playoffs. It’s going to be an awesome match. Below is a picture we took on an away day match against North Carolina back in the Spring.
Central State FC 