Stefano Pinho’s Equalizer from the Penalty Spot Helps Eleven to Exhibition Draw Against New USL Championship Rival
WESTFIELD, Ind. – Indy Eleven ramped up its preseason competition today against fellow USL Championship side Detroit City FC, the teams settling for a 1-1 exhibition draw at the Grand Park Events Center. The scoring in this one was settled early, as Eleven forward Stefano Pinho’s 7th minute penalty kick evened things up after Connor Rutz got Detroit on the board just four minutes in.
The Rutz goal came from a dead ball opportunity, as the forward’s 20-yard free kick beat a leaping Tim Trilk – who was between the posts for Indy hours after the goalkeeper’s official signing with Indiana’s Team – to his upper left corner. The DCFC lead was short lived, however, as Indy midfielder Raul Aguilera’s shot from just outside the area in the 6th minute was handed down by DCFC defender Rhys Williams to draw the point to the spot. Pinho made easy work of the penalty, sending Detroit City ‘keeper Nate Steinwascher the wrong way before converting low and right to even things up and give the Brazilian his second goal of the early preseason.
Detroit looked to go back in front just after the quarter-hour through Pato Botello Faz’s headed finish of a Rutz cross, but the latter failed to strike his pass before the ball fully crossed the endline, negating the chance for the visitors. DCFC had the last best chance of the opening half hour in the 28th minute when familiar Eleven foe Antoine Hoppenot latched onto a loose ball inside the six, only to see Trilk pounce on the deflected effort two feet from his goalline to keep things even after the first of three 30-minute segments.
The middle period started with the Eleven holding the bulk of possession but with no quality chances on goal to show for it. Instead, it was DCFC getting a set piece chance against the run of play in the 42nd minute, but Stephen Carroll’s header of Rutz’s delivery was pushed well high. Three minutes later it was Botello Faz looking to counter with a cheeky chip from midfield, but a backtracking Trilk had the chance that ultimately drifted wide covered. In the 49th minute a long diagonal from Eleven midfielder Nicky Law looked to set Pinho up for his second of the day, but the offside flag deemed the chance dead.
Indy Eleven Head Coach Mark Lowry inserted a fresher eleven to start the final 30-minute period, with only Law, Arteaga, and defender Mechack Jerome serving as carryovers from the initial starting lineup. Indy’s new guest goalkeeper stepped up big in the 71st minute, making a kick save in traffic on a shot from 12 yards. It was Arteaga nearly putting the Eleven in the lead with 15 minutes to go, but his shot from 20 yards straight out was steered wide by a low, diving save. The 80th minute saw a near-angle shot by one of Detroit’s trialist attackers from the left side of the area flash through the six and past the far post.
Following a flurry of fouls and stoppages for minor injuries, the Boys in Blue collected the game’s final chances of note in the dying moments. In the 89th minute, an Indy guest midfielder saw his shot off a short corner curl just over the bar from 15 yards, followed by a guest forward pushing his effort from the right side of the area just wide. One final set piece in the 90th minute from 30 yards straight out from goal saw Arteaga put his first shot into the wall, and his rebound attempt to follow was snuffed out by traffic at the top of the area, seeing out an even end to the exhibition between the soon-to-be USL Championship Eastern Conference rivals.
Today’s contest was the third of eight planned exhibition matches on the preseason schedule of Indiana’s Team, which will continue this Saturday, Feb. 19, against Sporting Kansas City II. The 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff at the Grand Park Events Center will be open exclusively to 2022 Indy Eleven Season Ticket Members.
Media outlets seeking to cover exhibition matches during preseason are asked to contact John Koluder in the Indy Eleven Communications Department at jkoluder@indyeleven.com or 317-919-0808 (mobile) for access details, including kickoff times.
The club’s preseason leads up to Indy Eleven’s 2022 USL Championship regular season opener one month from tonight at Loudoun United on Saturday, March 12 (6:00 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+). The full range of ticket offerings for Indy Eleven contests at IUPUI Carroll Stadium – starting with the 2022 home opener on Saturday, April 2, against LA Galaxy II – are now available, including Season Ticket Memberships, single game tickets, special multi-game packages, and an increased portfolio of hospitality options. To get full details and purchase tickets, visit indyeleven.com/tickets, or call 317-685-1100 during regular business hours.
2022 Spring Preseason Exhibition
Indy Eleven 1 : 1 Detroit City FC
Wednesday, February 16, 2021
Grand Park Events Center – Westfield, Ind.
Scoring Summary:
DET – Connor Rutz (unassisted) 4’
IND— Stefano Pinho (penalty kick) 7’
Disciplinary Summary:
DET – Rhys Williams (yellow card) 6’
DET – Antoine Hoppenot (yellow card) 20’
IND – Guest MF #2 (yellow card) 36’
IND – Raul Aguilera (yellow card) 54’
DET – Maxi Rodriguez (yellow card) 55’
IND – Justin Ingram (yellow card) 68’
Indy Eleven 1’-60’ lineup (4-4-2): Tim Trilk; Noah Powder, Karl Ouimette, Mechack Jerome, Guest DF #1 (Jared Timmer 47’); Nicky Law, Sam Brown, Guest MF #1 (Guest MF #2, 31’), Raul Aguilera; Manuel Arteaga, Stefano Pinho
Indy Eleven 61’-90’ lineup (4-4-2): Tim Trilk; Bryam Rebellon, A.J. Cochran, Mechack Jerome (Guest DF #1, 75’), Jared Timmer; Nicky Law (Alann Torres 75’), Neveal Hackshaw, Guest MF #2, Justin Ingram; Manuel Arteaga, Guest FW #1
Detroit City FC starting lineup (5-3-2): Nate Steinwascher; Deklan Wynne, Matt Lewis, Stephen Carroll, Devon Amoo-Mensah, Rhys Williams; Brad Dunwell, Maxi Rodriguez, Conner Rutz; Pato Botello Faz, Antoine Hoppenot
Indy Eleven 2022 Preseason Exhibition Schedule
Wednesday, Feb. 9 Indy Eleven 7 : 0 Marian University
Saturday, Feb. 12 Indy Eleven 4 : 2 University of Indianapolis
Wednesday, Feb. 16 Indy Eleven 1 : 1 Detroit City FC
Saturday, Feb. 19 vs. Sporting Kansas City II
- 1:00 p.m. kickoff at Grand Park Event Center (Field 3)
- Open to 2022 Season Ticket Members only
Tuesday, Feb. 22 at Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Friday, Feb. 25 vs. St. Louis City SC – CLOSED DOOR
Friday, March 4 vs. Chicago Fire FC – CLOSED DOOR
Saturday, March 5 at Columbus Crew – CLOSED DOOR
