Martin Rennie currently holds the record for most matches as the Manager of Indy Eleven after taking the job in the early days of 2018. Rennie was the Successor to Tim Hankinson the former 2016 NASL Coach of the Year following Eleven’s exit from the North American Soccer League joining the United Soccer League. In this article we will look at Rennie’s statistical impact on the Club as well as taking a look at the future of the Club.
(Records are (W-L-T) ) (Records are as of June 14, 2021)
2018: (13-11-10) 7th in USL Eastern Conference (1st Playoff Appearance)
The USL era began in Indianapolis in the early months of 2018 following Eleven’s departure from the NASL. This would be a bit of a rebuild year looking back given the club basically cleaned house following a weak 2017 season compared to the competitive 2016 NASL Finalist year. Rennie would lead the Club to a 7th Overall finish in the USL Regular Season Standings triggering a playoff birth in the 2018 USL Cup Playoffs. Statistically speaking Indy finished the Regular Season with a 13-11-10 Record. Indy Eleven would bow out of the Playoffs to the eventual USL Cup Champion Louisville City FC (4-1). Key Players from this season include Striker Jack McInerney scoring 10 Goals for the Club in 31 Appearances. Assist Leader this season was Eleven Captain Ayoze with 8 Assists in 29 Appearances. GK Owain Fawn Williams would have 11 Clean Sheets this season.
2019: (19-9-6) 3rd in USLC Eastern Conference (2nd Playoff Appearance)
Indy would have it’s best season in the Rennie Era during the 2019 Season finishing 3rd in the Eastern Conference Standings with a 19-9-6 overall record. Eleven would make a deep run in the USL Cup Playoffs making it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in the Club’s History falling to Louisville City FC 3-1 After Extra Time. Statistical Leaders this season included Fan favorite Forward Tyler Pasher scoring 13 Goals in 35 Appearances, Assists Leader(s) was a 3 way tie between Kenney Walker, Dane Kelly, and Ayoze. GK Evan Newton would join the Club this season ending the year with 9 Clean Sheets. Jordan Farr would also have 5 Clean Sheets this season.
2020: (7-7-2) 3rd in USLC Group E, 9th in USLC Eastern Conferences (DNQ for USL Cup)
2020 was the first season of the Group format in the USL Championship due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Indy Eleven would play in Group E finishing the Season with a 7-7-2 Record. A few important issues to note here is the Season had a late start due to complications with the Pandemic. This would also be the only year of the Rennie Era that Eleven did not qualify for the USL Cup Playoffs. Also another important note is this season the USL would eventually cancel the Cup Final due to Tampa Bay Rowdies Players testing positive for COVID-19. Neither the Rowdies or Phoenix Rising would play for the USL title. Statistical Leaders this year would include Tyler Pasher scoring 10 Goals in 15 Appearances, Assist Leader would be another tie between Ayoze and Andrew Carleton with 3 Assists. GK Evan Newton’s Final Season would conclude with 3 Clean Sheets in 15 Appearances.
2021: (3-3-1) 4th in USLC Central Divison of the Eastern Conference, 8th in the USLC Eastern Conference:
The 2021 Campaign (as of June 14, 2021) prior to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds Match on Tuesday June 15th puts Eleven 4th in the Eastern Central Division with a 3-3-1 Record. Eleven has only secured 1 point of a possible 9 points prior to Tuesday’s Match. There are still 25 Matches to play this year. This is also the first season that Eleven will play outside of the Eastern Conference facing off against Western Conference opponents such as El Paso Locomotive, and Real Monarchs SLC. (Fun fact Monarchs are currently the Defending Champs of the League Title) There are still 75 Points to be played for this Season. Current Statistics Leaders include Eleven Newcomer Jordan Hamilton with 3 Goals in 7 Appearances, Gordon Wild is currently leading the Assists Bracket with 3 Assists. Jordan Farr currently has 2 Clean Sheets for the year. It’s important to note this year will see a 32 Game Schedule. Along with no outside competitions to be focused on since the US Open Cup is playing with smaller format due to the Pandemic.
Overall:
In his 4 years in charge of the Club statistically speaking (Note this statistic is USL Championship Regular Season Records) Martin has a (42-30-19) Record. USL Stats equal up to an overall of 91 Matches. Rennie has a Playoff Record of (2-2-0) (4) and finally Coaching 3 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup matches with a (1-2-0) Record (3rd Round being Eleven’s best result in his tenure. Totaling 91 Regular Season, 4 Playoff Games, and 3 US Open Cup Matches in charge totaling 98 Competitive Matches in Charge of Indy Eleven for a Club Record 4 years in Charge.
| USL | USL Cup Playoffs | U.S. Open Cup |
| 42-30-19 | 2-2-0 | 1-2-0 |
Grand Totals: 45 Wins, 34 Losses, and 19 Draws in 98 Competitive Appearances
Looking Forward (Ayers’ Opinion):
There is still 25 Matches to contend for a Playoff Spot during this Year’s USL Championship. As it stands Indy Eleven is in the hunt to make the USL Cup Playoffs. If Eleven can manage to make a Playoff Push after an average start to the 2021 Campaign I can definitely see Rennie getting the nod to return for a 5th Season. I think complications caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic is a big reason many may see Rennie’s Tenure as a failure but it’s really important to be mindful that when it comes to USL Championship it’s more important you make the playoffs compared to winning a Regular Season Championship. It’s a cool piece of silverware to obtain but aside from a number 1 overall seed and home field advantage in the Playoffs it really doesn’t mean anything. If Eleven makes the Playoffs especially after almost completely overhauling the roster. I’d consider the year a success.
***Statistics found in this Article come from the USL Website (For USL Stats) and the Cup.US (for US Open Cup Records) This blog is always open to fact check for the betterment of the Platform.
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