#ATLvIND Gameday Preview
Indy Eleven at Atlanta United 2
Sunday, August 8, 2021 – 7:30 P.M. ET
Fifth Third Bank Stadium | Kennesaw, Ga.
FOLLOW LIVE
Local/National TV: N/A
Streaming Video: ESPN+ (click to subscribe)
Radio (Spanish): N/A
In-game updates: @IndyElevenLive Twitter feed, presented by Central Indiana Honda Dealers
Live stats: #ATLvIND MatchCenter on USLChampionship.com
Official Indy Eleven Watch Party Locations: Ellison Brewing Co. | Union Jack Pub
2021 USL CHAMPIONSHIP REGULAR SEASON RECORDS
Indy Eleven: 5W-6L-4D, 19 points, (-1 GD); 4th in Central Division
Atlanta United 2: 4W-7L-6D, 18 points, (-2 GD); 6th in Central Division
The Boys in Blue head to Fifth Third Bank Stadium this Sunday to take on Atlanta United 2 coming off the heels of a surge against FC Tulsa midweek that lifted them back into the win column, snapping a five-game winless streak in the process. After late-game heroics from forwards Gordon Wild and Peter-Lee Vassell propelled Indy to a 2-0 victory, the team will be looking to build on its first win since mid-June and first clean sheet since late May to close out the first half of the season.
Indy’s stout group defensive effort kept Tulsa from finding the back of the net, the Boys in Blue registering an eye-popping 14 clearances and 13 interceptions Wednesday evening. An impressive five-save performance – three of which occurred in the 16th minute – from goalkeeper Eric Dick helped Indy claim its first clean sheet since May 22 at Carroll Stadium against Sporting KC II.
With an extra day of rest to prepare than you’d see during a normal Wednesday-Saturday clustering, Interim Head Coach Max Rogers may have more options than usual when it comes to fresh bodies. Will he rotate the lineup some to keep legs (and minds) fresh on a hot Georgia evening? Or does he ride the XI that got the team off the schneid earlier in the week? One change we might expect to see is the return of Neveal Hackshaw to the backline, especially after his very productive cameo against FC Tulsa paid dividends on both sides of the field.
Indiana’s Team has been successful in creating chances along the wings and playing through the middle of the park this season, usually followed by a series of calculated passes; but Wednesday’s win at Tulsa presented a new tool for scoring opportunities – utilizing balls over the top. Both of Wednesday’s goals saw Wild and Vassell using their speed to create space for Hackshaw and Jeremiah Gutjahr to drop passes over the opposing defenders, the latter pair also drawing defensive pressure away from attacking lanes. If the Boys in Blue can spread Atlanta’s defense the same way they picked apart Tulsa, Indy’s offensive train may finally leave the station and charge full steam ahead after bagging only thrice in its four previous contests.
Atlanta United 2 come into Sunday’s match looking to turn around their fortunes after recording a 1W-5L-4D record in its last 10 matches, the lone win in that stretch coming against FC Tulsa on June 28. Consistency has been hard to come by for Atlanta, with players bouncing back and forth from their Major League Soccer and USL Championship rosters. ATL have had 12 different goal scorers so far this season, with midfielder and Notre Dame alum Aiden McFadden leading the charge with six of the team’s 22 tallies.
It could be argued that inconsistency has affected their defense even more, with ATL letting in 24 total goals this season, currently the ninth most across the USL Championship. While Atlanta has a favorable record at home, notching three of their four wins at Fifth Third Bank Stadium, Indy will be less than intimidated thanks to a 4W-1L-2D ledger away from home. In fact, Indy’s 2.00 pts/game earned on the road ties Indiana’s Team for the highest total across the Championship alongside Birmingham and El Paso – the latter serving as the only team to defeat Indy during its travels in 2021.
SERIES OVERVIEW
USL Championship regular season: 2W-1L-2D (6 GF/4 GA)
USL Championship at home: 2W-0L-0D (3 GF/0 GA)
USL Championship on the road: 0W-1L-2D (3 GF/4 GA)
2021 Series
07/07/21: ATL 1:1 IND [IND: Hamilton 64’; ATL: Stanley 73’]
08/08/21: ATL v IND (7:30 p.m. ET)
09/04/21: IND v ATL (7:00 p.m. ET)
10/02/21: IND v ATL (7:00 p.m. ET)
Indy Eleven has taken at least a point from four of its five meetings against Atlanta United 2, dating back to both clubs’ USL Championship debuts in 2018. That ledger includes draws in two of three visits to suburban Atlanta, the latest a 1-1 duel on July 7 in the first of four contests in 2021. In that one, Jordan Hamilton’s opener around the hour mark was canceled out nine minutes later by ATL’s Connor Stanley, but goalkeeper Eric Dick’s seven saves in his Eleven debut helped Indiana’s Team earn a well-fought point. Following Sunday’s match, the teams will finish out their season series in the Circle City with meetings on Sept. 4 and Oct. 2.
IND Player to Watch: MF Aboubacar Sissoko
Since joining Indiana’s Team in the offseason from Canadian Premier League side HFX Wanderers, Sissoko has made seven appearances (four starts) for the Boys in Blue in his first season stateside, including his most recent start Wednesday at FC Tulsa. During his 56 minutes on the pitch, the former U-20 Mali international completed over 85% of his passes and created a chance along the way. Sissoko also provided a solid defensive effort, winning six duels, two tackles, two clearances and a lone interception.
Traditionally more of a defensive midfielder, Sissoko has been making the transition to more box-to-box play in Rogers’ system. It’s been a transition that has taken time for the young professional to adjust to, but if Wednesday is any indication Sissoko can handle the additional duties in this freer role. The 25-year-old is also a long shot threat from outside the box, meaning ‘keepers will need to keep honest when he enters the final third. While the squad could rotate going into the weekend, look for Indy to possibly stick with the man in form while in Atlanta, as Sissoko looks to emerge as a viable and reliable midfield threat for Indy.
ATL Player to Watch: MF Darwin Matheus
Having featured in all 16 games for the Five Stripes this season, Matheus is the closest thing Atlanta United 2 have to consistency. The 20-year-old came stateside over the offseason from Venezuelan Primera Divsión side Zamora, which should sound familiar as that was the former home to Eleven forward Manuel Arteaga.
In Matheus’ 16 appearances, the midfielder has two goals and assists to his name, making him one of three players on Atlanta’s roster to have registered one of each so far this season. Matheus is also fourth on the team in shots with 11 and tied for third in chances created with a total of 17. The Venezuelan represents the heart of an Atlanta attack that accounts for 22 total goals, good for a just-above-average 13th best in the league. If Atlanta’s offense is going to get going, it will likely do it through a consistently-contributing Matheus.
#ATLvIND Gameday Preview
Indy Eleven at Atlanta United 2
Sunday, August 8, 2021 – 7:30 P.M. ET
Fifth Third Bank Stadium | Kennesaw, Ga.
FOLLOW LIVE
Local/National TV: N/A
Streaming Video: ESPN+ (click to subscribe)
Radio (Spanish): N/A
In-game updates: @IndyElevenLive Twitter feed, presented by Central Indiana Honda Dealers
Live stats: #ATLvIND MatchCenter on USLChampionship.com
Official Indy Eleven Watch Party Locations: Ellison Brewing Co. | Union Jack Pub
2021 USL CHAMPIONSHIP REGULAR SEASON RECORDS
Indy Eleven: 5W-6L-4D, 19 points, (-1 GD); 4th in Central Division
Atlanta United 2: 4W-7L-6D, 18 points, (-2 GD); 6th in Central Division
The Boys in Blue head to Fifth Third Bank Stadium this Sunday to take on Atlanta United 2 coming off the heels of a surge against FC Tulsa midweek that lifted them back into the win column, snapping a five-game winless streak in the process. After late-game heroics from forwards Gordon Wild and Peter-Lee Vassell propelled Indy to a 2-0 victory, the team will be looking to build on its first win since mid-June and first clean sheet since late May to close out the first half of the season.
Indy’s stout group defensive effort kept Tulsa from finding the back of the net, the Boys in Blue registering an eye-popping 14 clearances and 13 interceptions Wednesday evening. An impressive five-save performance – three of which occurred in the 16th minute – from goalkeeper Eric Dick helped Indy claim its first clean sheet since May 22 at Carroll Stadium against Sporting KC II.
With an extra day of rest to prepare than you’d see during a normal Wednesday-Saturday clustering, Interim Head Coach Max Rogers may have more options than usual when it comes to fresh bodies. Will he rotate the lineup some to keep legs (and minds) fresh on a hot Georgia evening? Or does he ride the XI that got the team off the schneid earlier in the week? One change we might expect to see is the return of Neveal Hackshaw to the backline, especially after his very productive cameo against FC Tulsa paid dividends on both sides of the field.
Indiana’s Team has been successful in creating chances along the wings and playing through the middle of the park this season, usually followed by a series of calculated passes; but Wednesday’s win at Tulsa presented a new tool for scoring opportunities – utilizing balls over the top. Both of Wednesday’s goals saw Wild and Vassell using their speed to create space for Hackshaw and Jeremiah Gutjahr to drop passes over the opposing defenders, the latter pair also drawing defensive pressure away from attacking lanes. If the Boys in Blue can spread Atlanta’s defense the same way they picked apart Tulsa, Indy’s offensive train may finally leave the station and charge full steam ahead after bagging only thrice in its four previous contests.
Atlanta United 2 come into Sunday’s match looking to turn around their fortunes after recording a 1W-5L-4D record in its last 10 matches, the lone win in that stretch coming against FC Tulsa on June 28. Consistency has been hard to come by for Atlanta, with players bouncing back and forth from their Major League Soccer and USL Championship rosters. ATL have had 12 different goal scorers so far this season, with midfielder and Notre Dame alum Aiden McFadden leading the charge with six of the team’s 22 tallies.
It could be argued that inconsistency has affected their defense even more, with ATL letting in 24 total goals this season, currently the ninth most across the USL Championship. While Atlanta has a favorable record at home, notching three of their four wins at Fifth Third Bank Stadium, Indy will be less than intimidated thanks to a 4W-1L-2D ledger away from home. In fact, Indy’s 2.00 pts/game earned on the road ties Indiana’s Team for the highest total across the Championship alongside Birmingham and El Paso – the latter serving as the only team to defeat Indy during its travels in 2021.
SERIES OVERVIEW
USL Championship regular season: 2W-1L-2D (6 GF/4 GA)
USL Championship at home: 2W-0L-0D (3 GF/0 GA)
USL Championship on the road: 0W-1L-2D (3 GF/4 GA)
2021 Series
07/07/21: ATL 1:1 IND [IND: Hamilton 64’; ATL: Stanley 73’]
08/08/21: ATL v IND (7:30 p.m. ET)
09/04/21: IND v ATL (7:00 p.m. ET)
10/02/21: IND v ATL (7:00 p.m. ET)
Indy Eleven has taken at least a point from four of its five meetings against Atlanta United 2, dating back to both clubs’ USL Championship debuts in 2018. That ledger includes draws in two of three visits to suburban Atlanta, the latest a 1-1 duel on July 7 in the first of four contests in 2021. In that one, Jordan Hamilton’s opener around the hour mark was canceled out nine minutes later by ATL’s Connor Stanley, but goalkeeper Eric Dick’s seven saves in his Eleven debut helped Indiana’s Team earn a well-fought point. Following Sunday’s match, the teams will finish out their season series in the Circle City with meetings on Sept. 4 and Oct. 2.
IND Player to Watch: MF Aboubacar Sissoko
Since joining Indiana’s Team in the offseason from Canadian Premier League side HFX Wanderers, Sissoko has made seven appearances (four starts) for the Boys in Blue in his first season stateside, including his most recent start Wednesday at FC Tulsa. During his 56 minutes on the pitch, the former U-20 Mali international completed over 85% of his passes and created a chance along the way. Sissoko also provided a solid defensive effort, winning six duels, two tackles, two clearances and a lone interception.
Traditionally more of a defensive midfielder, Sissoko has been making the transition to more box-to-box play in Rogers’ system. It’s been a transition that has taken time for the young professional to adjust to, but if Wednesday is any indication Sissoko can handle the additional duties in this freer role. The 25-year-old is also a long shot threat from outside the box, meaning ‘keepers will need to keep honest when he enters the final third. While the squad could rotate going into the weekend, look for Indy to possibly stick with the man in form while in Atlanta, as Sissoko looks to emerge as a viable and reliable midfield threat for Indy.
ATL Player to Watch: MF Darwin Matheus
Having featured in all 16 games for the Five Stripes this season, Matheus is the closest thing Atlanta United 2 have to consistency. The 20-year-old came stateside over the offseason from Venezuelan Primera Divsión side Zamora, which should sound familiar as that was the former home to Eleven forward Manuel Arteaga.
In Matheus’ 16 appearances, the midfielder has two goals and assists to his name, making him one of three players on Atlanta’s roster to have registered one of each so far this season. Matheus is also fourth on the team in shots with 11 and tied for third in chances created with a total of 17. The Venezuelan represents the heart of an Atlanta attack that accounts for 22 total goals, good for a just-above-average 13th best in the league. If Atlanta’s offense is going to get going, it will likely do it through a consistently-contributing Matheus.
