It had been 156 days since a member of Indiana’s Team had kicked a ball in an official capacity, but that changed on Monday when Indy Eleven players took to the indoor training pitch at Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield to the start the 2021 preseason camp.
“It’s nice to be back. It’s been a long offseason, but it’s nice to finally be doing some training and seeing the guys on the field,” said Indy Eleven Head Coach Martin Rennie. “I think everyone’s been missing being out here. Just like the players are happy to be back, the coaches are happy to be back and the fans are probably happy to see the guys out here as well.”
This year’s preseason comes off the heels of Indy Eleven narrowly missing out on a playoff berth in the final game of the condensed 2020 USL Championship campaign, a 7W-7L-2D (23 pts.) record placing the Boys in Blue two points shy of the competitive Group E’s second postseason slot. However, the returning members of the squad, as well as the new faces in the Circle City roster, have put in the paces throughout the extended offseason, eager to start the year on the front foot.
“The players look sharp and like they’ve taken care of themselves in the offseason, which is impressive since it’s been a long one,” Rennie said. “They look good and they look like they’re having fun so far.”
Rennie and his staff got a better feel of how to begin preseason preparations after the USL Championship announced last Tuesday the league’s four-division alignment ahead of the 2021 season. Now in the Eastern Conference’s Central Division, Indy Eleven will be reunited with fellow Group E rivals Louisville City FC and Sporting Kansas City II, as well as conference regulars Atlanta United 2, Memphis 901 FC and Birmingham Legion FC. Indy Eleven will also meet FC Tulsa and OKC Energy FC for the first time after the two teams moved from West to East to balance league’s conference divisions. Additional opponents in neighboring divisions will be announced prior to that start of the 2021 regular season, expected to come in late-April through early-May.
With the first week now in the books, Rennie continues to focus on finalizing a preseason schedule and creating a routine for his players as he and the rest of his technical staff wait for the remaining members of the squad to report to training.
“A lot of preseason this year is a lot about getting fitness, making sure everyone is healthy and making sure everyone is on the same page with how we want to play,” said Rennie. “As preseason goes on, I’m more focused on the results, but in the first part just kind of getting on the field, getting used to being out there and getting back together again.”
Want to watch Indiana’s Team when it returns to IUPUI’s Carroll Stadium in 2021? A limited number of Season Ticket Memberships are now available and can be secured starting at just $170 by visiting https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/indyeleven/tickets or calling 317-685-1100.
It had been 156 days since a member of Indiana’s Team had kicked a ball in an official capacity, but that changed on Monday when Indy Eleven players took to the indoor training pitch at Grand Park Sports Campus in Westfield to the start the 2021 preseason camp.
“It’s nice to be back. It’s been a long offseason, but it’s nice to finally be doing some training and seeing the guys on the field,” said Indy Eleven Head Coach Martin Rennie. “I think everyone’s been missing being out here. Just like the players are happy to be back, the coaches are happy to be back and the fans are probably happy to see the guys out here as well.”
This year’s preseason comes off the heels of Indy Eleven narrowly missing out on a playoff berth in the final game of the condensed 2020 USL Championship campaign, a 7W-7L-2D (23 pts.) record placing the Boys in Blue two points shy of the competitive Group E’s second postseason slot. However, the returning members of the squad, as well as the new faces in the Circle City roster, have put in the paces throughout the extended offseason, eager to start the year on the front foot.
“The players look sharp and like they’ve taken care of themselves in the offseason, which is impressive since it’s been a long one,” Rennie said. “They look good and they look like they’re having fun so far.”
Rennie and his staff got a better feel of how to begin preseason preparations after the USL Championship announced last Tuesday the league’s four-division alignment ahead of the 2021 season. Now in the Eastern Conference’s Central Division, Indy Eleven will be reunited with fellow Group E rivals Louisville City FC and Sporting Kansas City II, as well as conference regulars Atlanta United 2, Memphis 901 FC and Birmingham Legion FC. Indy Eleven will also meet FC Tulsa and OKC Energy FC for the first time after the two teams moved from West to East to balance league’s conference divisions. Additional opponents in neighboring divisions will be announced prior to that start of the 2021 regular season, expected to come in late-April through early-May.
With the first week now in the books, Rennie continues to focus on finalizing a preseason schedule and creating a routine for his players as he and the rest of his technical staff wait for the remaining members of the squad to report to training.
“A lot of preseason this year is a lot about getting fitness, making sure everyone is healthy and making sure everyone is on the same page with how we want to play,” said Rennie. “As preseason goes on, I’m more focused on the results, but in the first part just kind of getting on the field, getting used to being out there and getting back together again.”
Want to watch Indiana’s Team when it returns to IUPUI’s Carroll Stadium in 2021? A limited number of Season Ticket Memberships are now available and can be secured starting at just $170 by visiting https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/indyeleven/tickets or calling 317-685-1100.
