After every game in 2018, www.indyeleven.com’s Drew Kamaski will give his three takeaways from the performance of the “Boys in Blue.” This week's edition comes after Indiana's Team suffered their first loss in USL play against FC Cincinnati.
Scorching Wing Play
Indy Eleven fell 0-1 against FC Cincinnati in their home opener. That didn’t stop Indy Eleven defender Tyler Pasher from having a game. Pasher terrorized FC Cincinnati’s outside back with tricky runs that left the defense feeling stranded alone on an island.
The speedy left-back’s most noticeable run of play came in the 17th minute after Pasher left three Cincinnati defenders behind him and played a back post, lofted cross that found the head of “Boy in Blue” Jack McInerney. In that instant, McInerney’s header struck off the right side of the woodwork nearly creating the first goal of the game. Pasher continued his runs throughout the entire game creating four chances, but was unable to create the goal that would bring the game level.
This is the Canadian International’s first season with Indy Eleven. Pasher spent time in Newcastle United’s youth academy, training and playing seven years in the Toon’s youth side. The young defender then found his way into the United States, spending time with United Soccer League sides Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Swope Park Rangers. Pasher signed with Major League Soccer’s Sporting Kansas City in 2017, but was loaned to Swope Park Rangers for majority of the season. Last season, Pasher started 25 of 32 matches and helped SPR to a top four finish. Watch out for his mesmerizing wing play against North Carolina FC on Saturday.
Can You Hear Me Now?
“Indiana’s Team’s” first ever USL Era game in Lucas Oil stadium drew a franchise record-breaking crowd of 17,535 people against FC Cincinnati. Indy Eleven shattered the previous attendance record of 11,048 set against the North Carolina Railhawks, who are now North Carolina FC, on April 12, 2014. The attendance for this matchup outsold MLS sides Houston, Chicago, Colorado, and Columbus. Indy Eleven are now chasing the all-time attendance record held by cross-state rivals FC Cincinnati at 21,199, a goal that seems not so far away after Saturday’s home opener.
Despite the loss, the noise of the Brickyard Battalion echoed throughout the stadium for a full 90 minutes, making sure the traveling team and fans felt their presence. Just after kickoff, the Brickyard Battalion raised an intimidating tifo featuring “Stranger Things” star, Millie Bobby Brown, dawning the phrase, “You better run”. The young actor caught notice of the Brickyard Battalion’s efforts and showed her appreciation on twitter.
After every game in 2018, www.indyeleven.com’s Drew Kamaski will give his three takeaways from the performance of the “Boys in Blue.” This week’s edition comes after Indiana’s Team suffered their first loss in USL play against FC Cincinnati.
Scorching Wing Play
Indy Eleven fell 0-1 against FC Cincinnati in their home opener. That didn’t stop Indy Eleven defender Tyler Pasher from having a game. Pasher terrorized FC Cincinnati’s outside back with tricky runs that left the defense feeling stranded alone on an island.
The speedy left-back’s most noticeable run of play came in the 17th minute after Pasher left three Cincinnati defenders behind him and played a back post, lofted cross that found the head of “Boy in Blue” Jack McInerney. In that instant, McInerney’s header struck off the right side of the woodwork nearly creating the first goal of the game. Pasher continued his runs throughout the entire game creating four chances, but was unable to create the goal that would bring the game level.
This is the Canadian International’s first season with Indy Eleven. Pasher spent time in Newcastle United’s youth academy, training and playing seven years in the Toon’s youth side. The young defender then found his way into the United States, spending time with United Soccer League sides Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Swope Park Rangers. Pasher signed with Major League Soccer’s Sporting Kansas City in 2017, but was loaned to Swope Park Rangers for majority of the season. Last season, Pasher started 25 of 32 matches and helped SPR to a top four finish. Watch out for his mesmerizing wing play against North Carolina FC on Saturday.
Can You Hear Me Now?
“Indiana’s Team’s” first ever USL Era game in Lucas Oil stadium drew a franchise record-breaking crowd of 17,535 people against FC Cincinnati. Indy Eleven shattered the previous attendance record of 11,048 set against the North Carolina Railhawks, who are now North Carolina FC, on April 12, 2014. The attendance for this matchup outsold MLS sides Houston, Chicago, Colorado, and Columbus. Indy Eleven are now chasing the all-time attendance record held by cross-state rivals FC Cincinnati at 21,199, a goal that seems not so far away after Saturday’s home opener.
Despite the loss, the noise of the Brickyard Battalion echoed throughout the stadium for a full 90 minutes, making sure the traveling team and fans felt their presence. Just after kickoff, the Brickyard Battalion raised an intimidating tifo featuring “Stranger Things” star, Millie Bobby Brown, dawning the phrase, “You better run”. The young actor caught notice of the Brickyard Battalion’s efforts and showed her appreciation on twitter.
It’s Coming, Trust Me
The “Beautiful Game” can sometimes be very, very cruel. Saturday night’s home opener against FC Cincinnati depicted how cruel it can sometimes be. Indy Eleven found themselves doing everything right for nearly 90 minutes, but a quick counter in the 26th minute by FC Cincinnati resulted in the team’s two total shots on goal and only goal of the game that sealed the 0-1 win for the visitors.
There is still a silver lining to the defeat. “Indiana’s Team” controlled the run of play nearly the full time. The “Boys in Blue” won the possession battle keeping 52 percent possession. The team moved the ball well completing 77 percent of the 405 passes played throughout, with a 67 percent completion rate in FC Cincinnati’s half. Most of the Eleven attack came from the flanks, where 23 crosses were sent into the visitors box. The “Boys in Blue” fired 19 shots that tested FC Cincinnati keeper Evan Newton six times. Forward Jack McInerney struck the woodwork in the 17th minute of play and created a penalty in the 38th minute of play, which was saved by Newton.
The final score line may have not favored the “Boys in Blue”, but it is clear to every fan that attended the game that the goals are coming. The almost completely new roster will continue to build chemistry as Indy Eleven journey into their first USL campaign. The fluidity the team displayed on Saturday is a sign of good things to come for the upcoming fixture against North Carolina FC next Saturday, April 7th, at 7:00 p.m. Fans can catch the match live on USL’s YouTube Channel.
It’s Coming, Trust Me
The “Beautiful Game” can sometimes be very, very cruel. Saturday night’s home opener against FC Cincinnati depicted how cruel it can sometimes be. Indy Eleven found themselves doing everything right for nearly 90 minutes, but a quick counter in the 26th minute by FC Cincinnati resulted in the team’s two total shots on goal and only goal of the game that sealed the 0-1 win for the visitors.
There is still a silver lining to the defeat. “Indiana’s Team” controlled the run of play nearly the full time. The “Boys in Blue” won the possession battle keeping 52 percent possession. The team moved the ball well completing 77 percent of the 405 passes played throughout, with a 67 percent completion rate in FC Cincinnati’s half. Most of the Eleven attack came from the flanks, where 23 crosses were sent into the visitors box. The “Boys in Blue” fired 19 shots that tested FC Cincinnati keeper Evan Newton six times. Forward Jack McInerney struck the woodwork in the 17th minute of play and created a penalty in the 38th minute of play, which was saved by Newton.
The final score line may have not favored the “Boys in Blue”, but it is clear to every fan that attended the game that the goals are coming. The almost completely new roster will continue to build chemistry as Indy Eleven journey into their first USL campaign. The fluidity the team displayed on Saturday is a sign of good things to come for the upcoming fixture against North Carolina FC next Saturday, April 7th, at 7:00 p.m. Fans can catch the match live on USL’s YouTube Channel.
