INDIANAPOLIS (Dec. 4, 2024) – The Indy Eleven Academy U20 team will compete in the 2024 USL Academy League Finals Thursday through Sunday at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. Nineteen of the 20 players on the Boys in Blue roster are from the state of Indiana.
The USL Academy Great Forest Division regular-season champion squad coached by Academy Director Kiki Wallace finished undefeated in league play (8-0-2) with 32 goals scored and six goals allowed, after winning its third consecutive USL Academy Cup Championship in March with four straight shutouts.
“Our players are excited for the opportunity to return to the USL Academy League Playoffs and represent Indy Eleven,” said Wallace. “This event provides a great platform to highlight the up-and-coming talent within the club’s Academy system. The players realize, but embrace, the challenge that lies ahead.”
Defender Maverick McCoy is one of five Players to Watch at the USL Academy League Finals. The Carmel native (Notre Dame) is also one of five players on the U20 roster who have made college commitments, joining Levi Dewey (UNC Asheville), Jordin Jones (IU Indy), Namik Mehic (Bowling Green), and Evan Muckridge (Butler).
“This is a great opportunity for our players to compete for a Championship,” said Phil Presser, Indy Eleven Academy Technical Director. “These games give our staff an opportunity to see the character of our players and which ones can perform under a bit more pressure.”
The Boys in Blue open League Finals play vs. Southern Soccer Academy of Marietta, Ga. Thursday at 10 am.
Thu. Dec. 5: Indy Eleven vs. Southern Soccer Academy (Ga.), 10 a.m. ET
Fri. Dec. 6: Quarterfinals vs. Charlotte Independence/Fort Lauderdale United, 2 p.m.
Sat. Dec. 7: Semifinals, 12 p.m.
Sun. Dec. 8: Third Place match, Championship, 9 a.m./12 p.m.
Indy Eleven won the inaugural USL Academy National Championship in 2021.
Three Indy Eleven Academy players have signed professional contracts with the First Team, including current Boys in Blue defender Logan Neidlinger in October.
Since 2019, Indy Eleven has signed 22 players to USL Academy contracts, making the club one of the premier player development destinations in the USL Championship.
The fourth edition of the USL Academy League Finals features an evolution of the competition format with the top 16 teams from across the country in the USL Academy League regular season being represented. The event will feature three days of single-elimination games beginning on Thursday and culminating with the USL Academy League Final championship matches on Sunday.
Through the USL’s partnership with SportsEngine Play, every game from the 16-team 2024 USL Academy League Finals at IMG Academy knockout bracket will stream live and free through the online service, starting with Thursday’s Round of 16. Earlier this year, the USL licensed media rights to SportsEngine Play under an expanded agreement between the two organizations that brought live USL W League action to the platform throughout the 2024 season.
The schedule of matches and results is on the Academy League Finals home page, while additional content can be found throughout the week on the USL Academy’s Twitter and Instagram feeds.
Established in 2019, the USL Academy program provides an elite youth platform to offer United Soccer League member clubs in the Championship, League One, and League Two. The setup comprises three key components – the Academy Cup, the Academy League, and USL Academy contracts – that allow clubs to develop a more clearly defined path for top youth prospects in their area to reach the professional level and sign directly with their senior team.
Indy Eleven Academy U20 Roster
| # | Name | Pos. | Team | Hometown |
| 0 | Ryan Hunsucker | GK | U-19 | Westfield, Ind. |
| 1 | Jordin Jones | GK | U-19 | Greenfield, Ind. |
| 2 | Lincoln Minzey | D | U-19 | Granger, Ind. |
| 3 | Evan Muckridge | D | U-19 | Carmel, Ind. |
| 4 | Zach Naessens | D | U-19 | Indianapolis, Ind. |
| 5 | Jake Alb | D | U-17 | Crown Point, Ind. |
| 6 | Will Scheu | MF | U-17 | Westfield, Ind. |
| 7 | Ben Zec | F | U-19 | Carmel, Ind. |
| 8 | Victor Aguilar | F | U-19 | South Bend, Ind. |
| 9 | Edin Cvorovic | F | U-19 | Fishers, Ind. |
| 10 | Levi Dewey | MF | U-19 | Indianapolis, Ind. |
| 12 | Ephram Amones | D | U-19 | Zionsville, Ind. |
| 14 | Maverick McCoy | D | U-19 | Carmel, Ind. |
| 15 | Gian Colassaco | F | U-19 | Greenfield, Ind. |
| 16 | Sam Drewry | MF | U-19 | Indianapolis, Ind. |
| 17 | Nikola Ivetic | MF | U-19 | Crown Point, Ind. |
| 19 | Cal Kurzawa | F | U-19 | Carmel, Ind. |
| 20 | Namik Mehic | MF | U-19 | Fort Wayne, Ind. |
| 22 | Jonah Mwilambwe | F | U-19 | Normal, Ill. |
| 24 | Fynn Lahrsen | F | U-19 | Indianapolis, Ind. |
Academy Director & Head Coach: Kiki Wallace
Assistant Coach: Josh Lindemann, U17 & U16 Head Coach
Athletic Trainer: Sierra Garber, MS, LAT, ATC
