Pinho, Arteaga & Law Tally in Comprehensive Win
WESTFIELD, Ind. – Indy Eleven capped off its fourth preseason bout by defeating former USL Championship rival Sporting KC II by a score of 3-0. Forwards Stefano Pinho and Manuel Arteaga continued their fine preseason form with a goal apiece, while midfielder Nicky Law put the finishing touch on the scoring for the day late in the second half.
The 90-minute friendly at the Grand Park Events Center marked the halfway point of the preseason for Indy Eleven, which carries an undefeated 3W-0L-1D record into the second half of its exhibition slate as it continues to prepare for its Championship season opener at Loudoun United FC on March 12.
While the first three games of the preseason saw Indy Eleven consistently come out of the gates aggressive and fast-paced, today’s start was much more methodical with longer possessions and sustained build-up setting the tone throughout the first ten minutes of play. The first scoring chance came in the 11th minute when defender A.J. Cochran nearly headed in a free kick crossed in by Law.
Choppy play dictated the pace for the next ten minutes of play, but things changed for Indiana’s Team in the 21st minute. Midfielder Raul Aguilera delivered a back-flick to free defender Noah Powder for an overlapping down the left flank, from where his cross towards the penalty spot was almost headed in by forward Aris Briggs. The Boys in Blue broke the scoring seal the following minute, as defender Alex McQueen nutmegged his defender following a turnover, setting up Pinho’s score from the six. The only substantial scoring chance for the remainder of the half came in the 42nd minute off a cleared corner kick that ended with midfielder Justin Ingram firing high, keeping the score at 1-0 heading into halftime.
It would not take very long for the Boys in Blue to get on the board in the second half. Arteaga converted his team-high fifth goal of the preseason in the 48th minute, finishing low off a fine chipped feed from Law to extend Indy’s lead to two goals. Kansas City would get a couple of chances on corner kicks in the following 15 minutes – including a shot from 20 yards that sailed off the crossbar – but to no avail. Eleven Head Coach Mark Lowry made a flurry of substitutions in the 61st minute, putting four sets of fresh legs out on the pitch.
The Indy attack sprung to life again in the 73rd minute, when its guest midfielder on the afternoon trapped a high pass with his shoulder to himself inside the area before turning and sending a volley just over from 10 yards. The 79th minute saw an even more audacious attempt, as defender Jared Timmer delivered a pass to the six that Arteaga popped up to himself and bicycled, only to see a brave save by the onrushing SKCII ‘keeper stop the highlight reel chance.
In the 84th minute, Briggs showed off his speed on a 50-yard carry up the field before leaving a pass through the legs of Arteaga and to the boot of the guest midfielder, whose shot slammed off the crossbar. Indy Eleven finally converted on one of its many late scoring chances in the 87th minute, as a Powder cross was cleared only as far as Law 15 yards from goal, from where the Englishman curled a finish through traffic and into the back of the net, bringing the scoreline to its eventual 3-0 finish.
The preseason for Indiana’s Team will continue with its first road match of the exhibition season at USL Championship rival Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC this Tuesday, Feb. 22. 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.
2022 Spring Preseason Exhibition
Indy Eleven 3 : 0 Sporting Kansas City II
Saturday, February 19, 2022
Grand Park Events Center – Westfield, Ind.
Scoring Summary:
IND – Stefano Pinho (Alex McQueen) 22’
IND – Manuel Arteaga (Nicky Law) 48’
IND – Nicky Law (unassisted) 87’
Disciplinary Summary:
N/A
Indy Eleven 1st half (1’-45’) lineup (4-4-2): Tim Trilk; Noah Powder, A.J. Cochran, Jared Timmer, Alex McQueen; Nicky Law, Neveal Hackshaw, Justin Ingram, Raul Aguilera; Aris Briggs, Stefano Pinho (Manuel Arteaga 31’)
Indy Eleven 2nd half (46’-90’) lineup (4-4-2): Tim Trilk; Noah Powder, A.J. Cochran (Karl Ouimette 61’), Mechack Jerome, Alex McQueen (Jared Timmer 61’); Nicky Law (Guest MF #1, 61’), Justin Ingram (Nicky Law 75’), Neveal Hackshaw (Sam Brown 61’), Bryam Rebellon; Aris Briggs, Manuel Arteaga
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 | Indy Eleven 3 : 0 Sporting Kansas City II
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
