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#NCvIND Stats via USLChampionship.com Match Center

#NCvIND Post-game Quote Sheet

 

CARY, N.C. (Saturday, August 3, 2019) – The battle for third place in the USL Championship's Eastern Conference between rivals Indy Eleven and North Carolina FC was as competitive as advertised, and ultimately decided by the first goals of the season – one early and one late – by a pair of Indy Eleven veterans.

Eleven captain Matt Watson's 15th minute tally was offset by North Carolina's Andre Fortune in the 69th minute, but Ilija Ilic came off the bench to rescue the full three points courtesy of an 87th minute header that propelled Indiana’s Team to a pivotal 2-1 away win at Sahlen's Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.

With the win, Indy Eleven (12W-4L-4D, 40 pts.) took sole possession of third place in the East standings after entering the evening tied with NCFC (10W-5L-7D, 37 pts.). The win allowed Indy Eleven to keep pace with second-place New York Red Bulls (44 pts.) and the leading Tampa Bay Rowdies (46 pts.) – both of whom Indy Eleven owns a pair of games in hand on. The sixth road win of the season set a new Indy Eleven record in the category, the team’s away ledger in 2019 standing at a solid 6W-4L-0D.

“Tonight’s focus was squarely on getting our play to the standard that is acceptable for our team,” said Indy Eleven Head Coach Martin Rennie. “There were lots of things in the last game that weren’t where we wanted them to be, but this week we worked really hard to get back to the level that we know we can play at, and I think that showed tonight. I think that’s a franchise record for away wins in a season, so I think that’s something we can be very pleased with as well.”

While Rennie started the match in the stands of the park he once coached in due to last weekend’s ejection in Nashville, his Boys in Blue started on the front foot, with Tyler Pasher getting two good looks from inside the area within the first seven minutes. Right before Pasher’s first attempt in the fifth minute, midfielder Ayoze looked to have an early claim for a penalty when NCFC goalkeeper Alex Tambakis appeared to make contact on the Spaniard as he got to a loose ball at the top of the six, but play would continue without the crucial early call. Ten minutes in an Indy Eleven foul set up a North Carolina free kick 25 yards from goal, but Fortune’s first shot of an active evening was sent directly into the waiting arms of Eleven netminder Evan Newton.

The Eleven’s bright beginning paid dividends in the 15th minute, when a spell of possession in the final third ended at the feet of Watson 30 yards from goal. The Indy captain made no hesitation with his low strike, a one-hopper that caught Tambakis flat-footed and snuck inside the left post, giving the visitors the early advantage.

Pasher nearly took advantage of a turnover in the 22nd minute, his 35-yard run into the area ending with a shot-turned-cross that was just a foot too heavy for forward Dane Kelly to get around, the Jamaican unable to redirect on frame at the right post. North Carolina FC’s limited chances continued to come on set pieces, including a quality header by defender Sam Brotherton in the 30th minute off of Ben Speas’ corner that got through traffic but was gathered by Newton. The final clear chance of the half came in the 38th minute on a possession for Indy that looked very much like the one setting up Watson’s opener, but Pasher’s dipping shot from distance just whistled over the crossbar.

“I think the whole first half tonight was a really good performance. We were on top, held the ball well and created good chances, and we probably feel like we could have had more than one goal,” said Rennie, who handed over interim coaching duties on the evening to first year Assistant Coach Juan Guerra. “We were going against a team that had not lost at home this season and is obviously doing well, so I thought it was important that we imposed ourselves on the game.”

The second half began with North Carolina firing on all cylinders, the most dangerous of a flurry of early activity coming via Fortune’s header off an Aaron Guillen corner in the 48th minute that just cleared the crossbar. It was another header off a corner kick in the 56th minute that caused more concern inside the Indy area, this time by Elrich Uwolo, but Newton was there to tip the chance over. With NCFC taking a stranglehold of the possession Indy adjusted to find joy on the counter and nearly did so in the 64th minute, but Guillen did well to recover and slide in to block Ayoze’s open shot 10 yards from goal.

The home side’s persistence paid off in the 69th minute through Fortune, who accepted a pass from Guillen at the top left corner of the area and had time and space to open his hips and aim for the upper right 90, his perfectly-placed shot giving Newton no hope and squaring the proceedings at 1-1 heading into the final 20 minutes.

Neither team could muster a shot on goal in the minutes that followed – that is until the visitors hit paydirt with three minutes remaining in regulation. With even numbers in the final third, Ayoze would chip into the left side of the area for midfielder Tyler Gibson who, after patiently letting the ball bounce towards the endline, would clip in a ball inside the six-yard box. The run Gibson was waiting for was Ilic’s, the 80th minute substitute crashing his header from three yards out underneath the crossbar to provide yet another late match winner for Indy Eleven, the sixth one to come past the 80th minute out of its dozen wins on the campaign.  

“Really happy for (Ilija). We’ve missed him a lot, and I don’t know if people fully realize it, but we certainly do,” said Rennie. “It should be a big lift for him. He’s been through a lot, coming to a new club and not being fully able to show what he can do yet, but I think he started to tonight and our fans should be really happy about that.”

The Boys in Blue will enjoy a bye week before returning home for back-to-back Sunday affairs against Saint Louis FC on Aug. 18 (Faith & Family Night) and Charlotte Independence on Aug. 25 (“Red Out” Summer Celebration). Tickets for those contests at Lucas Oil Stadium remain available for as little as $15 and can be purchased at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/indyeleven/tickets or by calling 317-685-1100.

 

USL Championship Regular Season – #NCvIND
North Carolina FC  1 : 2  Indy Eleven
Saturday, August 3, 2019 – 7:00 p.m. ET
Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park – Cary, N.C.
Attendance: 4,393

 

2019 USL Championship records

Indy Eleven (12W-4L-4D, 40 pts., 3rd in Eastern Conference)

North Carolina FC (10W-5L-7D, 37 pts., 5th in Eastern Conference)

 

Scoring Summary:
IND – Matthew Watson (Tyler Pasher) 15’
NC – Andrew Fortune (Aaron Guillen) 69’
IND – Ilija Ilic (Tyler Gibson) 87’

Disciplinary Summary:

NC – Aaron Guillen (Yellow card) 27’
NC – Nazmi Albadawi (Yellow card) 43’
IND – Paddy Barrett (Yellow card) 84’
NC – Ben Speas (Yellow card) 90+4’

Indy Eleven lineup (3-4-2-1, L–>R): Evan Newton; Neveal Hackshaw, Karl Ouimette, Paddy Barrett; Ayoze, Tyler Gibson, Kenney Walker (Macauley King 90+5’), Lucas Farias; Tyler Pasher, Matthew Watson (captain) (Ilija Ilic 80’); Dane Kelly (Thomas Enevoldsen 81’)

IND Substitutes: Jordan Farr (GK), Kim Do-heon, Alioune Diakhate, Mitchell Osmond

 

North Carolina FC lineup (4-2-3-1, L–>R): Alex Tambakis; Aaron Guillen (captain), Sam Brotherton, Victor Igbekoyi. Victor Igbekoyi; Nazmi Albadawi (Justin Rennicks 83’), Dre Fortune; Yamikani Chester (Robert Kristo 89’), Ben Speas, Manny Perez (Graham Smith 45’); Donovan Ewolo

 

NC Substitutes: Darrin MacLeod (GK), Duval Wapiwo, Austin da Luz, Caleb Duvernay

#NCvIND Stats via USLChampionship.com Match Center

#NCvIND Post-game Quote Sheet

 

CARY, N.C. (Saturday, August 3, 2019) – The battle for third place in the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference between rivals Indy Eleven and North Carolina FC was as competitive as advertised, and ultimately decided by the first goals of the season – one early and one late – by a pair of Indy Eleven veterans.

Eleven captain Matt Watson’s 15th minute tally was offset by North Carolina’s Andre Fortune in the 69th minute, but Ilija Ilic came off the bench to rescue the full three points courtesy of an 87th minute header that propelled Indiana’s Team to a pivotal 2-1 away win at Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park.

With the win, Indy Eleven (12W-4L-4D, 40 pts.) took sole possession of third place in the East standings after entering the evening tied with NCFC (10W-5L-7D, 37 pts.). The win allowed Indy Eleven to keep pace with second-place New York Red Bulls (44 pts.) and the leading Tampa Bay Rowdies (46 pts.) – both of whom Indy Eleven owns a pair of games in hand on. The sixth road win of the season set a new Indy Eleven record in the category, the team’s away ledger in 2019 standing at a solid 6W-4L-0D.

“Tonight’s focus was squarely on getting our play to the standard that is acceptable for our team,” said Indy Eleven Head Coach Martin Rennie. “There were lots of things in the last game that weren’t where we wanted them to be, but this week we worked really hard to get back to the level that we know we can play at, and I think that showed tonight. I think that’s a franchise record for away wins in a season, so I think that’s something we can be very pleased with as well.”

While Rennie started the match in the stands of the park he once coached in due to last weekend’s ejection in Nashville, his Boys in Blue started on the front foot, with Tyler Pasher getting two good looks from inside the area within the first seven minutes. Right before Pasher’s first attempt in the fifth minute, midfielder Ayoze looked to have an early claim for a penalty when NCFC goalkeeper Alex Tambakis appeared to make contact on the Spaniard as he got to a loose ball at the top of the six, but play would continue without the crucial early call. Ten minutes in an Indy Eleven foul set up a North Carolina free kick 25 yards from goal, but Fortune’s first shot of an active evening was sent directly into the waiting arms of Eleven netminder Evan Newton.

The Eleven’s bright beginning paid dividends in the 15th minute, when a spell of possession in the final third ended at the feet of Watson 30 yards from goal. The Indy captain made no hesitation with his low strike, a one-hopper that caught Tambakis flat-footed and snuck inside the left post, giving the visitors the early advantage.

Pasher nearly took advantage of a turnover in the 22nd minute, his 35-yard run into the area ending with a shot-turned-cross that was just a foot too heavy for forward Dane Kelly to get around, the Jamaican unable to redirect on frame at the right post. North Carolina FC’s limited chances continued to come on set pieces, including a quality header by defender Sam Brotherton in the 30th minute off of Ben Speas’ corner that got through traffic but was gathered by Newton. The final clear chance of the half came in the 38th minute on a possession for Indy that looked very much like the one setting up Watson’s opener, but Pasher’s dipping shot from distance just whistled over the crossbar.

“I think the whole first half tonight was a really good performance. We were on top, held the ball well and created good chances, and we probably feel like we could have had more than one goal,” said Rennie, who handed over interim coaching duties on the evening to first year Assistant Coach Juan Guerra. “We were going against a team that had not lost at home this season and is obviously doing well, so I thought it was important that we imposed ourselves on the game.”

The second half began with North Carolina firing on all cylinders, the most dangerous of a flurry of early activity coming via Fortune’s header off an Aaron Guillen corner in the 48th minute that just cleared the crossbar. It was another header off a corner kick in the 56th minute that caused more concern inside the Indy area, this time by Elrich Uwolo, but Newton was there to tip the chance over. With NCFC taking a stranglehold of the possession Indy adjusted to find joy on the counter and nearly did so in the 64th minute, but Guillen did well to recover and slide in to block Ayoze’s open shot 10 yards from goal.

The home side’s persistence paid off in the 69th minute through Fortune, who accepted a pass from Guillen at the top left corner of the area and had time and space to open his hips and aim for the upper right 90, his perfectly-placed shot giving Newton no hope and squaring the proceedings at 1-1 heading into the final 20 minutes.

Neither team could muster a shot on goal in the minutes that followed – that is until the visitors hit paydirt with three minutes remaining in regulation. With even numbers in the final third, Ayoze would chip into the left side of the area for midfielder Tyler Gibson who, after patiently letting the ball bounce towards the endline, would clip in a ball inside the six-yard box. The run Gibson was waiting for was Ilic’s, the 80th minute substitute crashing his header from three yards out underneath the crossbar to provide yet another late match winner for Indy Eleven, the sixth one to come past the 80th minute out of its dozen wins on the campaign.  

“Really happy for (Ilija). We’ve missed him a lot, and I don’t know if people fully realize it, but we certainly do,” said Rennie. “It should be a big lift for him. He’s been through a lot, coming to a new club and not being fully able to show what he can do yet, but I think he started to tonight and our fans should be really happy about that.”

The Boys in Blue will enjoy a bye week before returning home for back-to-back Sunday affairs against Saint Louis FC on Aug. 18 (Faith & Family Night) and Charlotte Independence on Aug. 25 (“Red Out” Summer Celebration). Tickets for those contests at Lucas Oil Stadium remain available for as little as $15 and can be purchased at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/indyeleven/tickets or by calling 317-685-1100.

 

USL Championship Regular Season – #NCvIND
North Carolina FC  1 : 2  Indy Eleven
Saturday, August 3, 2019 – 7:00 p.m. ET
Sahlen’s Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park – Cary, N.C.
Attendance: 4,393

 

2019 USL Championship records

Indy Eleven (12W-4L-4D, 40 pts., 3rd in Eastern Conference)

North Carolina FC (10W-5L-7D, 37 pts., 5th in Eastern Conference)

 

Scoring Summary:
IND – Matthew Watson (Tyler Pasher) 15’
NC – Andrew Fortune (Aaron Guillen) 69’
IND – Ilija Ilic (Tyler Gibson) 87’

Disciplinary Summary:

NC – Aaron Guillen (Yellow card) 27’
NC – Nazmi Albadawi (Yellow card) 43’
IND – Paddy Barrett (Yellow card) 84’
NC – Ben Speas (Yellow card) 90+4’

Indy Eleven lineup (3-4-2-1, L–>R): Evan Newton; Neveal Hackshaw, Karl Ouimette, Paddy Barrett; Ayoze, Tyler Gibson, Kenney Walker (Macauley King 90+5’), Lucas Farias; Tyler Pasher, Matthew Watson (captain) (Ilija Ilic 80’); Dane Kelly (Thomas Enevoldsen 81’)

IND Substitutes: Jordan Farr (GK), Kim Do-heon, Alioune Diakhate, Mitchell Osmond

 

North Carolina FC lineup (4-2-3-1, L–>R): Alex Tambakis; Aaron Guillen (captain), Sam Brotherton, Victor Igbekoyi. Victor Igbekoyi; Nazmi Albadawi (Justin Rennicks 83’), Dre Fortune; Yamikani Chester (Robert Kristo 89’), Ben Speas, Manny Perez (Graham Smith 45’); Donovan Ewolo

 

NC Substitutes: Darrin MacLeod (GK), Duval Wapiwo, Austin da Luz, Caleb Duvernay

#NCvIND Gameday Preview
Indy Eleven at North Carolina FC
Saturday, August 3, 2019 – 7:00 P.M. ET
WakeMed Soccer Park  |  Cary, NC

 

 

Follow Live:

Local/National TV: WISH-TV

Streaming Video: ESPN+ (click for a free 7-day trial)

Radio (Spanish): N/A

In-game updates: @IndyElevenLive Twitter feed, presented by Honda

 

 

Setting the Table:

Indy Eleven: 11W-4L-4D, 37 pts., T-3rd in Eastern Conference

North Carolina FC: 10W-4L-7D, 37 pts., T-3rd in Eastern Conference

Click here for the full USL Championship standings 

 

First 2019 Meeting:

 

Indy Eleven 0 : 0 North Carolina FC | Saturday, May 4

The Boys in Blue gained a point from a second consecutive nil-nil draw at Lucas Oil Stadium in four days’ time. The scoreless duel featured three big saves from Indy goalkeeper Evan Newton, whose third clean sheet of the season extended the Eleven’s undefeated streak at home to three games at the time. Indiana’s Team more than doubled North Carolina’s shot output on the evening, 19-9, but Newton’s opposite number, Alex Tambakis, made five stops of his own to help share the spoils.

 

#INDvNC:  Highlights  |  Recap  |  Stats 

 

Last Time Out:

 

Nashville SC  2 : 0  Indy Eleven  | Saturday, July 27

First half goals by Daniel Rios (24’) and Alan Winn (42’) did all the damage in Indy Eleven’s second straight away defeat. Indiana’s Team was shutout for the first time since previously playing the Music City side at home on May 25, that stretch featuring eight games in a row where the Boys in Blue put at least one on the scoreboard (16-7 scoring advantage). The two goals conceded to Nashville marked the fifth game of 2019 in which Indy gave up multiple goals, with all five instances coming on the road.

 

#NSHvIND:  Highlights  |  Recap  |  Stats

 

North Carolina FC 4 : 2 Atlanta United 2  |  Saturday, July 27

A pair of braces from midfielder Steven Miller and forward Ulrich Ewolo boosted North Carolina FC to a victory that helped the Tarheel State side remain undefeated at Sahlen’s Stadium (6W-0L-4D). In a game that saw all six tallies scored in the first half and NCFC go up 3-0 within 19 minutes, Miller’s brace accounted for his sixth and seventh goals of the season, making him the club’s leading goal scorer, while Ewolo bagged his third and fourth of 2019.

 

#NCvATL:  Highlights  |  Recap  |  Stats 

 

#NCvIND Storylines

• Last Saturday’s results brought the Cary-based club level on points with Indiana’s Team at 37, with Indy leading the tie-breaking charge via total league wins (11 vs. 10). As a result, this Saturday’s battle will see the winner take sole possession of third place in the Eastern Conference – unless the fixture ends in a second draw between the two sides. On the flip side, an Indy loss and Nashville win at Swope Park Rangers could see the Boys in Blue drop to fifth on the Eastern table – although they would still hold at least one game in hand on the competition above them.
• Indy Eleven’s all-time record against North Carolina FC, formerly the Carolina RailHawks of the NASL, stands at 9W-3L-4D and dates back to the team’s inaugural season in 2014.
• Speaking of that inaugural season in 2014, Indy Eleven recorded their first ever point against the then Carolina Railhawks in a 1-1 draw in Indiana’s Team’s inaugural home match on April 12, 2014, and later claimed their first ever win against the side on July 12, 2014 in a 2-1 win at Sahlen’s Stadium.
• Indy Eleven notched a pair of wins against NCFC after being reintroduced in USL Championship play last season (1-0 in Cary on April 7; 3-2 in Indy on August 15).
• North Carolina will be facing a sturdy defense Saturday night. Indy Eleven leads USL Championship when it comes to the fewest goals conceded (14). The Boys in Blue have also recorded the most clean sheets in the Eastern Conference (10) and trail only Western Conference leader Phoenix Rising (11) leaguewide.
• Indy has only allowed multiple goals in five games throughout the 19 played in 2019, with no side able to put more than two goals past the Boys in Blue.
• Head Coach Martin Rennie coached the former RailHawks from 2009-11, earning a second-place finish his first year with the club, and two first-place finishes in 2010-11 before moving to Major League Soccer’s Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
• Indy Eleven will face off against a familiar foe Saturday in Ben Speas. The 28-year-old attacker, who joined NCFC on a season-long loan in January, notched seven goals and seven assists in 50 appearances for the Boys in Blue between the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
• The NCFC roster also includes a pair of ex-Indiana University standouts in defender Timmy Mehl and midfielder Austin Panchot. Both rookies, who finished off their collegiate careers last fall helping the Hoosiers reach back-to-back College Cups, have made their professional debuts, with Mehl earning a single appearance and Panchot four.

 

Indy Eleven Player to Watch | DF Ayoze

Scoring is the hardest part of the beautiful game. Finding the back of the net takes creativity and a player who can provide the spark that creates goals, and there are few better in the league at doing so than Ayoze. The defender has created the second most chances for his teammates (36) through his first fifteen appearances this season.

The former La Liga player naturally plays as an outside wing back, allowing him to whip in crosses and diagonally lofted passes over the opposing back line to free Indy’s attacking pieces, which have led to three assists so far on the season. Ayoze displayed his creative ability the last time Indy took on North Carolina, when he created a team-high five chances for his fellow Boys in Blue. Indy will need a repeat performance from the defender, as the side looks to defend its third-place spot in the East.

 

North Carolina FC Player to Watch | MF Steven Miller

Indy’s Ayoze isn’t the only player who plays effectively along the flanks. North Carolina FC midfielder Steven Miller, now in his fifth season with the club, can almost always be found covering ground along the right side of the pitch. Miller leads NCFC in both goals (7) and assists (5) through his 21 appearances for the side.

In addition to leading the attacking charge for his side, he also leads his team on the pitch. The 29-year-old has started 18 matches for Carolina and donned the captain armband during those starts. Indy will look to keep Miller at bay again, after being held goalless in his 81 minutes against the Boys in Blue in Week 9. 

 

Match-up to Mark | Indy’s Defense vs. North Carolina’s Speas

While Indy Eleven Head Coach Martin Rennie has featured a three-back system throughout the 2019 USL Championship season, that doesn’t mean those three are the only ones tasked with the heavy-lifting in defense – in fact, that’s far from the case. The two holding midfielders Rennie has deployed – always Tyler Gibson and usually Kenney Walker beside him – do their fair share of the dirty work in the middle of the park, and they’ll likely have plenty more to do this Saturday thanks to North Carolina FC’s wide array of attacking talent. Because of NCFC’s range of options and numbers they commit to the attack, the communication of Indy’s “back five” will be vital to shutting down a squad that has bagged seven goals in its last two home outings.

The man who will draw the most attention from Indy is one they are most familiar with – Ben Speas, the 28-year-old midfielder who signed with Indiana’s Team in 2017 and is on loan with North Carolina for this season. Speas has been the architect of many a North Carolina attacking move and ranks among the Eastern Conference’s top 10 in with 50 chances created (4th), 94 crosses (6th), and four assists (T-10th). Not only is he producing, but he’s also been the side’s workhorse, starting in every one of NCFC’s matches and playing all but 88 minutes this season, contributing two goals along the way. Speas played a full 90 in the two teams’ first meeting on May 4, with the stifling Indy home defense essentially nullifying the midfielder’s presence. The Ohio native’s pass completion rating was well below his season average of 76%, and he struggled to create just one chance on the evening.

#NCvIND Gameday Preview
Indy Eleven at North Carolina FC
Saturday, August 3, 2019 – 7:00 P.M. ET
WakeMed Soccer Park  |  Cary, NC

 

 

Follow Live:

Local/National TV: WISH-TV

Streaming Video: ESPN+ (click for a free 7-day trial)

Radio (Spanish): N/A

In-game updates: @IndyElevenLive Twitter feed, presented by Honda

 

 

Setting the Table:

Indy Eleven: 11W-4L-4D, 37 pts., T-3rd in Eastern Conference

North Carolina FC: 10W-4L-7D, 37 pts., T-3rd in Eastern Conference

Click here for the full USL Championship standings 

 

First 2019 Meeting:

 

Indy Eleven 0 : 0 North Carolina FC | Saturday, May 4

The Boys in Blue gained a point from a second consecutive nil-nil draw at Lucas Oil Stadium in four days’ time. The scoreless duel featured three big saves from Indy goalkeeper Evan Newton, whose third clean sheet of the season extended the Eleven’s undefeated streak at home to three games at the time. Indiana’s Team more than doubled North Carolina’s shot output on the evening, 19-9, but Newton’s opposite number, Alex Tambakis, made five stops of his own to help share the spoils.

 

#INDvNC:  Highlights  |  Recap  |  Stats 

 

Last Time Out:

 

Nashville SC  2 : 0  Indy Eleven  | Saturday, July 27

First half goals by Daniel Rios (24’) and Alan Winn (42’) did all the damage in Indy Eleven’s second straight away defeat. Indiana’s Team was shutout for the first time since previously playing the Music City side at home on May 25, that stretch featuring eight games in a row where the Boys in Blue put at least one on the scoreboard (16-7 scoring advantage). The two goals conceded to Nashville marked the fifth game of 2019 in which Indy gave up multiple goals, with all five instances coming on the road.

 

#NSHvIND:  Highlights  |  Recap  |  Stats

 

North Carolina FC 4 : 2 Atlanta United 2  |  Saturday, July 27

A pair of braces from midfielder Steven Miller and forward Ulrich Ewolo boosted North Carolina FC to a victory that helped the Tarheel State side remain undefeated at Sahlen’s Stadium (6W-0L-4D). In a game that saw all six tallies scored in the first half and NCFC go up 3-0 within 19 minutes, Miller’s brace accounted for his sixth and seventh goals of the season, making him the club’s leading goal scorer, while Ewolo bagged his third and fourth of 2019.

 

#NCvATL:  Highlights  |  Recap  |  Stats 

 

#NCvIND Storylines

• Last Saturday’s results brought the Cary-based club level on points with Indiana’s Team at 37, with Indy leading the tie-breaking charge via total league wins (11 vs. 10). As a result, this Saturday’s battle will see the winner take sole possession of third place in the Eastern Conference – unless the fixture ends in a second draw between the two sides. On the flip side, an Indy loss and Nashville win at Swope Park Rangers could see the Boys in Blue drop to fifth on the Eastern table – although they would still hold at least one game in hand on the competition above them.
• Indy Eleven’s all-time record against North Carolina FC, formerly the Carolina RailHawks of the NASL, stands at 9W-3L-4D and dates back to the team’s inaugural season in 2014.
• Speaking of that inaugural season in 2014, Indy Eleven recorded their first ever point against the then Carolina Railhawks in a 1-1 draw in Indiana’s Team’s inaugural home match on April 12, 2014, and later claimed their first ever win against the side on July 12, 2014 in a 2-1 win at Sahlen’s Stadium.
• Indy Eleven notched a pair of wins against NCFC after being reintroduced in USL Championship play last season (1-0 in Cary on April 7; 3-2 in Indy on August 15).
• North Carolina will be facing a sturdy defense Saturday night. Indy Eleven leads USL Championship when it comes to the fewest goals conceded (14). The Boys in Blue have also recorded the most clean sheets in the Eastern Conference (10) and trail only Western Conference leader Phoenix Rising (11) leaguewide.
• Indy has only allowed multiple goals in five games throughout the 19 played in 2019, with no side able to put more than two goals past the Boys in Blue.
• Head Coach Martin Rennie coached the former RailHawks from 2009-11, earning a second-place finish his first year with the club, and two first-place finishes in 2010-11 before moving to Major League Soccer’s Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
• Indy Eleven will face off against a familiar foe Saturday in Ben Speas. The 28-year-old attacker, who joined NCFC on a season-long loan in January, notched seven goals and seven assists in 50 appearances for the Boys in Blue between the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
• The NCFC roster also includes a pair of ex-Indiana University standouts in defender Timmy Mehl and midfielder Austin Panchot. Both rookies, who finished off their collegiate careers last fall helping the Hoosiers reach back-to-back College Cups, have made their professional debuts, with Mehl earning a single appearance and Panchot four.

 

Indy Eleven Player to Watch | DF Ayoze

Scoring is the hardest part of the beautiful game. Finding the back of the net takes creativity and a player who can provide the spark that creates goals, and there are few better in the league at doing so than Ayoze. The defender has created the second most chances for his teammates (36) through his first fifteen appearances this season.

The former La Liga player naturally plays as an outside wing back, allowing him to whip in crosses and diagonally lofted passes over the opposing back line to free Indy’s attacking pieces, which have led to three assists so far on the season. Ayoze displayed his creative ability the last time Indy took on North Carolina, when he created a team-high five chances for his fellow Boys in Blue. Indy will need a repeat performance from the defender, as the side looks to defend its third-place spot in the East.

 

North Carolina FC Player to Watch | MF Steven Miller

Indy’s Ayoze isn’t the only player who plays effectively along the flanks. North Carolina FC midfielder Steven Miller, now in his fifth season with the club, can almost always be found covering ground along the right side of the pitch. Miller leads NCFC in both goals (7) and assists (5) through his 21 appearances for the side.

In addition to leading the attacking charge for his side, he also leads his team on the pitch. The 29-year-old has started 18 matches for Carolina and donned the captain armband during those starts. Indy will look to keep Miller at bay again, after being held goalless in his 81 minutes against the Boys in Blue in Week 9. 

 

Match-up to Mark | Indy’s Defense vs. North Carolina’s Speas

While Indy Eleven Head Coach Martin Rennie has featured a three-back system throughout the 2019 USL Championship season, that doesn’t mean those three are the only ones tasked with the heavy-lifting in defense – in fact, that’s far from the case. The two holding midfielders Rennie has deployed – always Tyler Gibson and usually Kenney Walker beside him – do their fair share of the dirty work in the middle of the park, and they’ll likely have plenty more to do this Saturday thanks to North Carolina FC’s wide array of attacking talent. Because of NCFC’s range of options and numbers they commit to the attack, the communication of Indy’s “back five” will be vital to shutting down a squad that has bagged seven goals in its last two home outings.

The man who will draw the most attention from Indy is one they are most familiar with – Ben Speas, the 28-year-old midfielder who signed with Indiana’s Team in 2017 and is on loan with North Carolina for this season. Speas has been the architect of many a North Carolina attacking move and ranks among the Eastern Conference’s top 10 in with 50 chances created (4th), 94 crosses (6th), and four assists (T-10th). Not only is he producing, but he’s also been the side’s workhorse, starting in every one of NCFC’s matches and playing all but 88 minutes this season, contributing two goals along the way. Speas played a full 90 in the two teams’ first meeting on May 4, with the stifling Indy home defense essentially nullifying the midfielder’s presence. The Ohio native’s pass completion rating was well below his season average of 76%, and he struggled to create just one chance on the evening.

#NSHvIND Stats via USLChampionship.com Match Center

 

In a marquee USL Championship Eastern Conference match-up, Indy Eleven could not overcome a pair of first half concessions to Nashville SC, those goals marking all the scoring in a 2-0 defeat at Nissan Stadium. Indy Eleven goalkeeper Evan Newton made four big saves on the evening, but his opposite number Matt Pickens made the same number while keeping the Boys in Blue off the scoreboard.

Indy Eleven (11W-4L-4D, 37 pts.) would stay in third place on the Eastern Conference table regardless of tonight’s result, but the loss allowed next weekend’s opposition, North Carolina FC, to pull even in the standings. With the victory, Nashville SC (10W-5L-5L, 35 pts.) drew within a game of the Boys in Blue, who hold a game in hand on the Music City side and two games on North Carolina FC, second-place New York Red Bulls II (41 pts.) and the East-leading Tampa Bay Rowdies (43 pts.).

“That was one of the first games where I feel the performance wasn’t to a level that I would expect. I especially don’t think that we played our best game in the first half,” said Indy Eleven Head Coach Martin Rennie. “We’re in good form, generally speaking, but I do think we need to pick it up when it comes to our performances on the road based on the last two times out, and I think the players are aware of that.”

Indy Eleven came out not wanting to absorb pressure, but it did so effectively, Nashville SC carrying the vast majority of possession without creating any dangerous chances early on. In fact, it was the visitors capturing the first shot on goal near the quarter-hour mark through forward Alioune Diakhate, who forced a kick save out of Pickens after being sprung behind the backline by Tyler Pasher’s through ball from the midfield stripe.

It was Nashville midfielder Lebo Moloto’s marauding 60-yard run down the left flank that finally broke down Indy’s defensive ranks in the 20th minute. Moloto’s square ball found forward Daniel Rios at the top of the box, but his shot seeking the lower left corner streaked wide. However, Rios wouldn’t miss his second opportunity just three minutes later, the Eastern Conference’s leading scorer upping his tally to 13 goals on the season when he received a return pass from midfielder Michael Reed and first-timed past Newton to give Nashville the lead.

“We had a great chance to score early when Matt Pickens made the save against Alioune, and that was a big moment in the game,” explained Rennie. “When you’re playing, I’ll say, higher level games, I think those moments are quite important. Then minutes later they score on a break when we were on the ball, which is disappointing.”

Pasher nearly leveled quickly in the 26th minute when forward Thomas Enevoldsen found him with a pocket of space 10 yards from goal, but center back Jimmy Ockford swept over in time to block the effort that had eyes for the far post. In the 34th minute, it was Eleven midfielder Lucas Farias cutting inside and past a defender to get into the area, but his left-footed shot would not catch Pickens napping at his left post.

The Boys in Blue had controlled the action in the aftermath of Nashville’s opener, but the home side would regain momentum with a goal against the run of play in the 42nd minute through Alan Winn. After running onto Moloto’s through ball up the right flank, Winn had time and space to cut inside before smashing a low shot from 10 yards that snuck inside the near post, doubling Nashville’s advantage minutes before the halftime break.

Indy Eleven began the second half with one substitution – Dane Kelly entering up top for Diakhate – and one ejection, as Head Coach Martin Rennie was dismissed by referee Elvis Osmanovic during the interval. Indy’s energy was high in response, but it was Winn who nabbed the first shot on frame of the second stanza, his low effort in the 51st minute gathered well by Newton. Five minutes later, it was Pickens responding, doing well to scoop defender Paddy Barrett’s close-range header off the goal line and wide of the right post.

Winn was pushing the action after the hour mark, creating chance after chance for the home side; however, Newton was there at every turn to keep Indy close, starting with a save on Winn’s low effort in the 66th minute. The Nashville midfielder then played provider on two dangerous chances for Kharlton Belmar inside the area, but Newton produced a Save-of-the-Week-caliber stop at his near post in the 68th minute, followed by a tip save three minutes later to send an effort from 15 yards over the bar.

Nashville’s numbers behind the ball largely stunted Indy’s attack across the final 20 minutes, but an Enevoldsen header in the 90th minute put Pickens to the test one more time – and one last time the veteran netminder was up to the task. The clean sheet by Pickens matched his effort in the two teams’ 0-0 stalemate at Lucas Oil Stadium back on May 25 – which was also the last time the Boys in Blue were shut out, tonight’s match ending a season-long eight-game scoring streak for Indiana’s Team.

“In the second half I thought we played well, took the game to Nashville a little bit. We were on top and looked more like ourselves,” said Rennie.

The road gets no easier – or less meaningful – for Indy Eleven, which travels to the Tarheel State next Saturday, August 3, to face North Carolina FC in a battle for sole possession of third place in an increasingly crowded Eastern Conference race to the top. Kickoff at Sahlen’s Stadium in Cary, N.C., is set for 7:00 p.m. ET for a match that can be viewed live on WISH-TV and streamed online via ESPN+.

The Boys in Blue will enjoy a bye week before returning home for back-to-back Sunday affairs against Saint Louis FC on Aug. 18 (Faith & Family Night) and Charlotte Independence on Aug. 25 (“Red Out” Summer Celebration). Tickets for those contests at Lucas Oil Stadium remain available for as little as $15 and can be purchased at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/indyeleven/tickets or by calling 317-685-1100.

 

USL Championship Regular Season – #NSHvIND
Nashville SC  2 : 0  Indy Eleven

Saturday, July 27, 2019 – 8:00 p.m. ET

Nissan Stadium – Nashville, Tenn.

Attendance: 13,047

 

2019 USL Championship records

Indy Eleven (11W-4L-4D, 37 pts., 3rd in Eastern Conference)

Nashville SC (10W-5L-5D, 32 pts., 5th in Eastern Conference)

 

Scoring Summary:
NSH – Daniel Rios (Michael Reed) 24’

NSH – Alan Winn (Lebo Moloto) 42’

Disciplinary Summary:

IND – Tyler Pasher (Yellow card) 17’

NSH – Daniel Rios (Yellow card) 57’

Indy Eleven lineup (3-4-3, L–>R): Evan Newton; Neveal Hackshaw, Mitch Osmond, Paddy Barret (captain); Ayoze, Kenney Walker (Matthew Watson 73’), Tyler Gibson, Lucas Farias (Ilija Ilic 63’); Tyler Pasher, Alioune Diakhate (Dane Kelly 45’), Thomas Enevoldsen

IND Substitutes: Jordan Farr (GK), Karl Ouimette, Kim Do-heon, Macauley King

 

Nashville SC lineup (4-2-3-1, L–>R): Matt Pickens; Taylor Washington, Forrest Lasso, Jimmy Ockford, Kosuke Kimura; Michael Reed, Boluwalife Akinyode; Alan Winn (Justin Davis 82’), Lebo Moloto (Ken Tribbett 67’), Kharlton Belmar (Ropapa Mensah 78’); Daniel Rios

NSH Substitutes: Connor Sparrow (GK), Darnell King, Vinnie Vermeer, Tucker Hume

#NSHvIND Stats via USLChampionship.com Match Center

 

In a marquee USL Championship Eastern Conference match-up, Indy Eleven could not overcome a pair of first half concessions to Nashville SC, those goals marking all the scoring in a 2-0 defeat at Nissan Stadium. Indy Eleven goalkeeper Evan Newton made four big saves on the evening, but his opposite number Matt Pickens made the same number while keeping the Boys in Blue off the scoreboard.

Indy Eleven (11W-4L-4D, 37 pts.) would stay in third place on the Eastern Conference table regardless of tonight’s result, but the loss allowed next weekend’s opposition, North Carolina FC, to pull even in the standings. With the victory, Nashville SC (10W-5L-5L, 35 pts.) drew within a game of the Boys in Blue, who hold a game in hand on the Music City side and two games on North Carolina FC, second-place New York Red Bulls II (41 pts.) and the East-leading Tampa Bay Rowdies (43 pts.).

“That was one of the first games where I feel the performance wasn’t to a level that I would expect. I especially don’t think that we played our best game in the first half,” said Indy Eleven Head Coach Martin Rennie. “We’re in good form, generally speaking, but I do think we need to pick it up when it comes to our performances on the road based on the last two times out, and I think the players are aware of that.”

Indy Eleven came out not wanting to absorb pressure, but it did so effectively, Nashville SC carrying the vast majority of possession without creating any dangerous chances early on. In fact, it was the visitors capturing the first shot on goal near the quarter-hour mark through forward Alioune Diakhate, who forced a kick save out of Pickens after being sprung behind the backline by Tyler Pasher’s through ball from the midfield stripe.

It was Nashville midfielder Lebo Moloto’s marauding 60-yard run down the left flank that finally broke down Indy’s defensive ranks in the 20th minute. Moloto’s square ball found forward Daniel Rios at the top of the box, but his shot seeking the lower left corner streaked wide. However, Rios wouldn’t miss his second opportunity just three minutes later, the Eastern Conference’s leading scorer upping his tally to 13 goals on the season when he received a return pass from midfielder Michael Reed and first-timed past Newton to give Nashville the lead.

“We had a great chance to score early when Matt Pickens made the save against Alioune, and that was a big moment in the game,” explained Rennie. “When you’re playing, I’ll say, higher level games, I think those moments are quite important. Then minutes later they score on a break when we were on the ball, which is disappointing.”

Pasher nearly leveled quickly in the 26th minute when forward Thomas Enevoldsen found him with a pocket of space 10 yards from goal, but center back Jimmy Ockford swept over in time to block the effort that had eyes for the far post. In the 34th minute, it was Eleven midfielder Lucas Farias cutting inside and past a defender to get into the area, but his left-footed shot would not catch Pickens napping at his left post.

The Boys in Blue had controlled the action in the aftermath of Nashville’s opener, but the home side would regain momentum with a goal against the run of play in the 42nd minute through Alan Winn. After running onto Moloto’s through ball up the right flank, Winn had time and space to cut inside before smashing a low shot from 10 yards that snuck inside the near post, doubling Nashville’s advantage minutes before the halftime break.

Indy Eleven began the second half with one substitution – Dane Kelly entering up top for Diakhate – and one ejection, as Head Coach Martin Rennie was dismissed by referee Elvis Osmanovic during the interval. Indy’s energy was high in response, but it was Winn who nabbed the first shot on frame of the second stanza, his low effort in the 51st minute gathered well by Newton. Five minutes later, it was Pickens responding, doing well to scoop defender Paddy Barrett’s close-range header off the goal line and wide of the right post.

Winn was pushing the action after the hour mark, creating chance after chance for the home side; however, Newton was there at every turn to keep Indy close, starting with a save on Winn’s low effort in the 66th minute. The Nashville midfielder then played provider on two dangerous chances for Kharlton Belmar inside the area, but Newton produced a Save-of-the-Week-caliber stop at his near post in the 68th minute, followed by a tip save three minutes later to send an effort from 15 yards over the bar.

Nashville’s numbers behind the ball largely stunted Indy’s attack across the final 20 minutes, but an Enevoldsen header in the 90th minute put Pickens to the test one more time – and one last time the veteran netminder was up to the task. The clean sheet by Pickens matched his effort in the two teams’ 0-0 stalemate at Lucas Oil Stadium back on May 25 – which was also the last time the Boys in Blue were shut out, tonight’s match ending a season-long eight-game scoring streak for Indiana’s Team.

“In the second half I thought we played well, took the game to Nashville a little bit. We were on top and looked more like ourselves,” said Rennie.

The road gets no easier – or less meaningful – for Indy Eleven, which travels to the Tarheel State next Saturday, August 3, to face North Carolina FC in a battle for sole possession of third place in an increasingly crowded Eastern Conference race to the top. Kickoff at Sahlen’s Stadium in Cary, N.C., is set for 7:00 p.m. ET for a match that can be viewed live on WISH-TV and streamed online via ESPN+.

The Boys in Blue will enjoy a bye week before returning home for back-to-back Sunday affairs against Saint Louis FC on Aug. 18 (Faith & Family Night) and Charlotte Independence on Aug. 25 (“Red Out” Summer Celebration). Tickets for those contests at Lucas Oil Stadium remain available for as little as $15 and can be purchased at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/indyeleven/tickets or by calling 317-685-1100.

 

USL Championship Regular Season – #NSHvIND
Nashville SC  2 : 0  Indy Eleven

Saturday, July 27, 2019 – 8:00 p.m. ET

Nissan Stadium – Nashville, Tenn.

Attendance: 13,047

 

2019 USL Championship records

Indy Eleven (11W-4L-4D, 37 pts., 3rd in Eastern Conference)

Nashville SC (10W-5L-5D, 32 pts., 5th in Eastern Conference)

 

Scoring Summary:
NSH – Daniel Rios (Michael Reed) 24’

NSH – Alan Winn (Lebo Moloto) 42’

Disciplinary Summary:

IND – Tyler Pasher (Yellow card) 17’

NSH – Daniel Rios (Yellow card) 57’

Indy Eleven lineup (3-4-3, L–>R): Evan Newton; Neveal Hackshaw, Mitch Osmond, Paddy Barret (captain); Ayoze, Kenney Walker (Matthew Watson 73’), Tyler Gibson, Lucas Farias (Ilija Ilic 63’); Tyler Pasher, Alioune Diakhate (Dane Kelly 45’), Thomas Enevoldsen

IND Substitutes: Jordan Farr (GK), Karl Ouimette, Kim Do-heon, Macauley King

 

Nashville SC lineup (4-2-3-1, L–>R): Matt Pickens; Taylor Washington, Forrest Lasso, Jimmy Ockford, Kosuke Kimura; Michael Reed, Boluwalife Akinyode; Alan Winn (Justin Davis 82’), Lebo Moloto (Ken Tribbett 67’), Kharlton Belmar (Ropapa Mensah 78’); Daniel Rios

NSH Substitutes: Connor Sparrow (GK), Darnell King, Vinnie Vermeer, Tucker Hume

Indy Eleven continued to secure the services of Hoosier-based talent with today’s signing of goalkeeper and Zionsville native Holden Brown to a USL Academy amateur contract for the remainder of the 2019 USL Championship season. Per club policy, terms of player contracts with Indy Eleven will not be released.

“One of our overarching goals as a club is to get the best players from across the state involved with us,” said Indy Eleven Head Coach Martin Rennie. “We believe that young homegrown players can help our club, and Holden fits that bill. We look forward to being a part of his professional development.”

The 17-year-old Brown has officially been added to the Indy Eleven roster and will be available for selection as early as Saturday’s fixture at Nashville SC. In joining the club as a USL Academy signing – Indy Eleven’s fourth such signing in 2019 – Brown retains his future NCAA eligibility.

In related roster moves, USL Academy signings Joshua Penn and Mario Perez have been released from Indy Eleven’s roster, with the duo reporting to Indiana University and Purdue University Fort Wayne, respectively, in the coming days to begin their collegiate college careers for the NCAA Division I programs.

“I hope they both enjoy their college experience. They’re both talented players and we enjoyed having them on our squad,” Rennie said. “They’re welcome back anytime and we’ll be watching them closely to see how they develop.”

Brown has taken to the pitch for the Westfield-based Indiana Fire Academy, a U.S. Soccer Development Academy outfit that sees current Eleven Assistant Coach Phil Presser serve as its Academy Director. Brown started eight of his 12 appearances for Indiana Fire’s Academy’s Under-18/19 squad across its current 2018/19 USSDA season.

It’s really great to sign for Indy Eleven,” said Brown. “I’ve been coming here for a few months and the level of talent here is so high. I’m really happy for my development. All the guys here are hard on me in a good way. They give me good criticism and they all want the best for me.”

Brown joins forward Emerson Nieto, a Fort Wayne native and fellow Indiana Fire Academy product, as current members of the now 22-man Indy Eleven roster with Hoosier State ties – a group that used to include the Logansport native Perez. Brown, who is expected to graduate in Zionsville Community High School’s 2020 class, made 68 saves and tailed 17 shut outs in 31 varsity appearances for the Eagles between 2016-18.

 

Indy Eleven will take to the road the next two weeks with the chance to put some distance between its closest foes on the Eastern Conference table, starting with Saturday’s meeting against Nashville FC at Nissan Stadium (8:00 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+). After traveling to face North Carolina FC on Saturday, August 3 (7:00 p.m., live on WISH-TV & ESPN+), the Boys in Blue will enjoy a bye week before returning home for back-to-back Sunday affairs against Saint Louis FC on Aug. 18 (Faith & Family Night) and Charlotte Independence on Aug. 25 (“Red Out” Summer Celebration). Tickets for those contests at Lucas Oil Stadium remain available for as little as $15 and can be purchased at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/indyeleven/tickets or by calling 317-685-1100.

Indy Eleven continued to secure the services of Hoosier-based talent with today’s signing of goalkeeper and Zionsville native Holden Brown to a USL Academy amateur contract for the remainder of the 2019 USL Championship season. Per club policy, terms of player contracts with Indy Eleven will not be released.

“One of our overarching goals as a club is to get the best players from across the state involved with us,” said Indy Eleven Head Coach Martin Rennie. “We believe that young homegrown players can help our club, and Holden fits that bill. We look forward to being a part of his professional development.”

The 17-year-old Brown has officially been added to the Indy Eleven roster and will be available for selection as early as Saturday’s fixture at Nashville SC. In joining the club as a USL Academy signing – Indy Eleven’s fourth such signing in 2019 – Brown retains his future NCAA eligibility.

In related roster moves, USL Academy signings Joshua Penn and Mario Perez have been released from Indy Eleven’s roster, with the duo reporting to Indiana University and Purdue University Fort Wayne, respectively, in the coming days to begin their collegiate college careers for the NCAA Division I programs.

“I hope they both enjoy their college experience. They’re both talented players and we enjoyed having them on our squad,” Rennie said. “They’re welcome back anytime and we’ll be watching them closely to see how they develop.”

Brown has taken to the pitch for the Westfield-based Indiana Fire Academy, a U.S. Soccer Development Academy outfit that sees current Eleven Assistant Coach Phil Presser serve as its Academy Director. Brown started eight of his 12 appearances for Indiana Fire’s Academy’s Under-18/19 squad across its current 2018/19 USSDA season.

It’s really great to sign for Indy Eleven,” said Brown. “I’ve been coming here for a few months and the level of talent here is so high. I’m really happy for my development. All the guys here are hard on me in a good way. They give me good criticism and they all want the best for me.”

Brown joins forward Emerson Nieto, a Fort Wayne native and fellow Indiana Fire Academy product, as current members of the now 22-man Indy Eleven roster with Hoosier State ties – a group that used to include the Logansport native Perez. Brown, who is expected to graduate in Zionsville Community High School’s 2020 class, made 68 saves and tailed 17 shut outs in 31 varsity appearances for the Eagles between 2016-18.

 

Indy Eleven will take to the road the next two weeks with the chance to put some distance between its closest foes on the Eastern Conference table, starting with Saturday’s meeting against Nashville FC at Nissan Stadium (8:00 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+). After traveling to face North Carolina FC on Saturday, August 3 (7:00 p.m., live on WISH-TV & ESPN+), the Boys in Blue will enjoy a bye week before returning home for back-to-back Sunday affairs against Saint Louis FC on Aug. 18 (Faith & Family Night) and Charlotte Independence on Aug. 25 (“Red Out” Summer Celebration). Tickets for those contests at Lucas Oil Stadium remain available for as little as $15 and can be purchased at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/indyeleven/tickets or by calling 317-685-1100.

#NSHvIND Gameday Preview
Indy Eleven at Nashville SC
Saturday, July 27, 2019 – 8:00 P.M. ET
Nissan Stadium  |  Nashville, TN   

 

Follow Live:

Local/National TV: N/A

Streaming Video: ESPN+ (click for a free 7-day trial)

Radio (Spanish): N/A

In-game updates: @IndyElevenLive Twitter feed, presented by Honda

 

Setting the Table:

Indy Eleven: 11W-3L-4D, 37 pts., 3rd in Eastern Conference

Nashville SC: 9W-5L-5D, 32 pts., 5th in Eastern Conference

Click here for the full USL Championship standings 

 

First 2019 Meeting:

Indy Eleven 0 : 0 Nashville SC | Saturday, May 25

The Boys in Blue shared points with Nashville SC the last time the two teams faced each other on Indy 500 Weekend in Indy. Goalkeeper Evan Newton recorded his fifth consecutive home clean sheet after stopping a Nashville side that didn’t start either star striker in Cameron Lancaster or Daniel Rios. The best chance of the game came early in the 15th minute, after a through ball freed Nashville forward Tucker Hume for a one-on-one opportunity just outside the Indy six-yard-box, but Newton, quick off his line, nullified the goal scoring chance and saved a point for Indiana’s Team.

#INDvNSH:  Highlights  |  Recap  |  Stats 

 

Last Time Out:

Indy Eleven  2 : 0  Loudoun United FC  | Saturday, July 20

The Boys in Blue returned to winning ways last Saturday night after the toppling Loudoun United FC, 2-0. Late-game theatrics courtesy of forward Thomas Enevoldsen (fifth goal of 2019) and midfielder Tyler Pasher (team-high eighth goal) paved the way for the double over Major League Soccer’s D.C. United’s affiliate side. Evan Newton helped record the team’s 10th clean sheet and his seventh of the 2019 USL Championship season. The victory sees Indiana’s Team extend its undefeated streak at home to 18 games.

#INDvLDN:  Highlights  |  Recap  |  Stats 

 

Memphis 901 FC 0 : 2 Nashville SC  |  Wednesday, July 17

Goals from defender Jimmy Ockford and leading goal scorer Daniel Rios saw Nashville SC edge out Memphis in the Tennessee rivals’ second and final meeting of the 2019 USL Championship regular season. The second fixture featured the same exact score line as the first, played back on April 13. The clean sheet was Nashville’s seventh this year, ranking tied for fifth across the 36-team Championship and trailing Indy’s league-best mark by three. The clean sheet is also the fifth time in 2019 that Nashville goalkeeper Matt Pickens has kept the goose egg from cracking.

#MEMvNSH:  Highlights  |  Recap  |  Stats 

 

#NSHvIND Storylines

• Indy Eleven holds a 5W-3L-0D record on the road in 2019 (17GF/10GA), averaging 1.25 goals allowed per game.
• After their May 25 stalemate, Indy’s all-time record against Nashville SC stands at 2W-0L-1D (3GF/1GA).
• An Indy Eleven win and New York Red Bulls II draw or loss this weekend will propel Indiana’s Team into sole possession of second place in the Eastern Conference. The Boys in Blue sit one point behind NYRB2 and six behind the East-leading Tampa Bay Rowdies, but holds two games in hand on both squads.
• Indy boasts an impressive defense, leading the Eastern Conference in clean sheets and tied for first in the USL with 10. Goalkeeper Evan Newton has the second most clean sheets in the Eastern Conference and is tied for fourth overall in the USL Championship with seven.
• That stingy play has allowed Indiana’s Team to post the second best goals allowed mark in both the Eastern Conference and USL Championship, its 0.67 average on 12 goals allowed just a sliver behind the Rowdies’ 0.65 pace.
• The Boys in Blue have scored in each of the last eight games, including five multi-goal games. (15GF/5GA). In fact, the last team to hold the Boys in Blue scoreless happened to be Nashville SC back on May 25.
• Indy midfielder Tyler Pasher has scored or assisted in eight of his last nine starts (7G/1A).
• Nashville SC’s Ramone Howell spent four years playing at Valparaiso University in Northwest Indiana, where he made 67 appearances and scored seven goals.
• Nashville fullback Justin Davis is no stranger to Indy Eleven, having faced the side 10 times with Minnesota United from 2014-2016 and twice in 2018 with Nashville SC.
• Davis’ fellow wing back Darnell King faced the Boys in Blue a total of nine times while playing for Fort Lauderdale Strikers and Tampa Bay Rowdies from 2014-2016.
• Nashville goalkeeper Matt Pickens has faced the Boys in Blue with both Tampa Bay Rowdies and Nashville SC. The Brickyard Battalion’s favorite netminder had a 2W-1L-6D record against Indy Eleven in nine games with Tampa Bay Rowdies and owns a 0W-2L-1D record against Indy with Nashville SC.

 

Indy Eleven Player to Watch | FW Thomas Enevoldsen

The man who’s been on the pitch the most for Indy Eleven is forward Thomas Enevoldsen, as the native of Denmark has started every one of Indy’s 18 games and played all but three minutes of those starts. The tenacious forward has racked up five goals along the way – and his

never say die attitude and tireless engine have played key roles in his goal scoring exploits.

Despite being denied scoring opportunities throughout the season – and refreshingly wearing his frustrations and emotion on his sleeves – the Dane never stops making runs into the box and putting himself in the right positions to score as he showed against Birmingham Legion FC with a 91st minute goal last month and against Loudoun United FC on Saturday with an 81st minute goal. Enevoldsen also plays more than a nine role for his club. He’s not afraid to help create chances for teammates as a 10, as he leads Indy Eleven in chances created with 41, two of which have resulted in assists.

 

Nashville SC Player to Watch | FW Daniel Rios

Neither influential striker Cameron Lancaster or Daniel Rios started for Nashville SC the last time the side traveled to Lucas Oil Stadium to face the Boys in Blue, most likely the result of playing 90 minutes against Birmingham Legion three days before. Failing to start against the Boys in Blue on May 25 is the only game this season that Rios hasn’t started of his 19 appearances.

In that time, the Mexican has scored 12 goals, seeing him tied for the leading goal scorer honor in the Eastern Conference and tied for second in the Championship’s Golden Boot race. The 24-year-old has been potent recently, having scored four goals in his last five outings. Expect Rios to attempt to land a shot on goal this go around against Indiana’s Team, after failing to take a single shot in the 13 minutes he played off the bench on May 25.

 

Match-up to Mark | Indy’s Tyler Gibson vs Nashville’s Matt LaGrassa

If coaches Martin Rennie and Gary Smith were choosing teams for a pickup street soccer game and had their pick of the Championship’s solid selection of “number sixes” to hold down the middle third, they’d likely stand pat with Gibson and LaGrassa, respectively.

Both midfielders encapsulate what it means to be a box-to-box, do the dirty work that goes unnoticed, holding midfielder. For starters, both midfielders have incredible engines. Gibson has started every match of Indy’s 18 games played and has played all but six minutes of those appearances, being subbed off one time to avoid injury. On the other hand, LaGrassa has started all but two of Nashville’s 19 fixtures, failing to play only 40 minutes of his 17 starts. Each trail only a forward in minutes played on their respective squads – Gibson trails Enevoldsen by three minutes and LaGrassa to Rios by 62 minutes.

The pair are excellent defensively, each leading their team in interceptions. The 28-year-old Gibson has racked up 20 interceptions and LaGrassa 25, a fifth of which came against Indy Eleven in May. Each also leads their team in passes played, as Gibson has played 968 passes to LaGrassa’s 771. The one area that Gibson has a slight edge over 26-year-old LaGrassa is passing accuracy, which he displayed in the first meeting against Nashville where he averaged 94 percent pass completion while LaGrassa completed 77 percent. Gibson – a native of Knoxville, Tenn. – boasts an average 89 percent passing accuracy this season as opposed to LaGrassa’s 79 percent. Look for these two to boss the midfield and butt heads on more than one occasion come Saturday night.

#NSHvIND Gameday Preview
Indy Eleven at Nashville SC
Saturday, July 27, 2019 – 8:00 P.M. ET
Nissan Stadium  |  Nashville, TN   

 

Follow Live:

Local/National TV: N/A

Streaming Video: ESPN+ (click for a free 7-day trial)

Radio (Spanish): N/A

In-game updates: @IndyElevenLive Twitter feed, presented by Honda

 

Setting the Table:

Indy Eleven: 11W-3L-4D, 37 pts., 3rd in Eastern Conference

Nashville SC: 9W-5L-5D, 32 pts., 5th in Eastern Conference

Click here for the full USL Championship standings 

 

First 2019 Meeting:

Indy Eleven 0 : 0 Nashville SC | Saturday, May 25

The Boys in Blue shared points with Nashville SC the last time the two teams faced each other on Indy 500 Weekend in Indy. Goalkeeper Evan Newton recorded his fifth consecutive home clean sheet after stopping a Nashville side that didn’t start either star striker in Cameron Lancaster or Daniel Rios. The best chance of the game came early in the 15th minute, after a through ball freed Nashville forward Tucker Hume for a one-on-one opportunity just outside the Indy six-yard-box, but Newton, quick off his line, nullified the goal scoring chance and saved a point for Indiana’s Team.

#INDvNSH:  Highlights  |  Recap  |  Stats 

 

Last Time Out:

Indy Eleven  2 : 0  Loudoun United FC  | Saturday, July 20

The Boys in Blue returned to winning ways last Saturday night after the toppling Loudoun United FC, 2-0. Late-game theatrics courtesy of forward Thomas Enevoldsen (fifth goal of 2019) and midfielder Tyler Pasher (team-high eighth goal) paved the way for the double over Major League Soccer’s D.C. United’s affiliate side. Evan Newton helped record the team’s 10th clean sheet and his seventh of the 2019 USL Championship season. The victory sees Indiana’s Team extend its undefeated streak at home to 18 games.

#INDvLDN:  Highlights  |  Recap  |  Stats 

 

Memphis 901 FC 0 : 2 Nashville SC  |  Wednesday, July 17

Goals from defender Jimmy Ockford and leading goal scorer Daniel Rios saw Nashville SC edge out Memphis in the Tennessee rivals’ second and final meeting of the 2019 USL Championship regular season. The second fixture featured the same exact score line as the first, played back on April 13. The clean sheet was Nashville’s seventh this year, ranking tied for fifth across the 36-team Championship and trailing Indy’s league-best mark by three. The clean sheet is also the fifth time in 2019 that Nashville goalkeeper Matt Pickens has kept the goose egg from cracking.

#MEMvNSH:  Highlights  |  Recap  |  Stats 

 

#NSHvIND Storylines

• Indy Eleven holds a 5W-3L-0D record on the road in 2019 (17GF/10GA), averaging 1.25 goals allowed per game.
• After their May 25 stalemate, Indy’s all-time record against Nashville SC stands at 2W-0L-1D (3GF/1GA).
• An Indy Eleven win and New York Red Bulls II draw or loss this weekend will propel Indiana’s Team into sole possession of second place in the Eastern Conference. The Boys in Blue sit one point behind NYRB2 and six behind the East-leading Tampa Bay Rowdies, but holds two games in hand on both squads.
• Indy boasts an impressive defense, leading the Eastern Conference in clean sheets and tied for first in the USL with 10. Goalkeeper Evan Newton has the second most clean sheets in the Eastern Conference and is tied for fourth overall in the USL Championship with seven.
• That stingy play has allowed Indiana’s Team to post the second best goals allowed mark in both the Eastern Conference and USL Championship, its 0.67 average on 12 goals allowed just a sliver behind the Rowdies’ 0.65 pace.
• The Boys in Blue have scored in each of the last eight games, including five multi-goal games. (15GF/5GA). In fact, the last team to hold the Boys in Blue scoreless happened to be Nashville SC back on May 25.
• Indy midfielder Tyler Pasher has scored or assisted in eight of his last nine starts (7G/1A).
• Nashville SC’s Ramone Howell spent four years playing at Valparaiso University in Northwest Indiana, where he made 67 appearances and scored seven goals.
• Nashville fullback Justin Davis is no stranger to Indy Eleven, having faced the side 10 times with Minnesota United from 2014-2016 and twice in 2018 with Nashville SC.
• Davis’ fellow wing back Darnell King faced the Boys in Blue a total of nine times while playing for Fort Lauderdale Strikers and Tampa Bay Rowdies from 2014-2016.
• Nashville goalkeeper Matt Pickens has faced the Boys in Blue with both Tampa Bay Rowdies and Nashville SC. The Brickyard Battalion’s favorite netminder had a 2W-1L-6D record against Indy Eleven in nine games with Tampa Bay Rowdies and owns a 0W-2L-1D record against Indy with Nashville SC.

 

Indy Eleven Player to Watch | FW Thomas Enevoldsen

The man who’s been on the pitch the most for Indy Eleven is forward Thomas Enevoldsen, as the native of Denmark has started every one of Indy’s 18 games and played all but three minutes of those starts. The tenacious forward has racked up five goals along the way – and his

never say die attitude and tireless engine have played key roles in his goal scoring exploits.

Despite being denied scoring opportunities throughout the season – and refreshingly wearing his frustrations and emotion on his sleeves – the Dane never stops making runs into the box and putting himself in the right positions to score as he showed against Birmingham Legion FC with a 91st minute goal last month and against Loudoun United FC on Saturday with an 81st minute goal. Enevoldsen also plays more than a nine role for his club. He’s not afraid to help create chances for teammates as a 10, as he leads Indy Eleven in chances created with 41, two of which have resulted in assists.

 

Nashville SC Player to Watch | FW Daniel Rios

Neither influential striker Cameron Lancaster or Daniel Rios started for Nashville SC the last time the side traveled to Lucas Oil Stadium to face the Boys in Blue, most likely the result of playing 90 minutes against Birmingham Legion three days before. Failing to start against the Boys in Blue on May 25 is the only game this season that Rios hasn’t started of his 19 appearances.

In that time, the Mexican has scored 12 goals, seeing him tied for the leading goal scorer honor in the Eastern Conference and tied for second in the Championship’s Golden Boot race. The 24-year-old has been potent recently, having scored four goals in his last five outings. Expect Rios to attempt to land a shot on goal this go around against Indiana’s Team, after failing to take a single shot in the 13 minutes he played off the bench on May 25.

 

Match-up to Mark | Indy’s Tyler Gibson vs Nashville’s Matt LaGrassa

If coaches Martin Rennie and Gary Smith were choosing teams for a pickup street soccer game and had their pick of the Championship’s solid selection of “number sixes” to hold down the middle third, they’d likely stand pat with Gibson and LaGrassa, respectively.

Both midfielders encapsulate what it means to be a box-to-box, do the dirty work that goes unnoticed, holding midfielder. For starters, both midfielders have incredible engines. Gibson has started every match of Indy’s 18 games played and has played all but six minutes of those appearances, being subbed off one time to avoid injury. On the other hand, LaGrassa has started all but two of Nashville’s 19 fixtures, failing to play only 40 minutes of his 17 starts. Each trail only a forward in minutes played on their respective squads – Gibson trails Enevoldsen by three minutes and LaGrassa to Rios by 62 minutes.

The pair are excellent defensively, each leading their team in interceptions. The 28-year-old Gibson has racked up 20 interceptions and LaGrassa 25, a fifth of which came against Indy Eleven in May. Each also leads their team in passes played, as Gibson has played 968 passes to LaGrassa’s 771. The one area that Gibson has a slight edge over 26-year-old LaGrassa is passing accuracy, which he displayed in the first meeting against Nashville where he averaged 94 percent pass completion while LaGrassa completed 77 percent. Gibson – a native of Knoxville, Tenn. – boasts an average 89 percent passing accuracy this season as opposed to LaGrassa’s 79 percent. Look for these two to boss the midfield and butt heads on more than one occasion come Saturday night.

Indy Eleven today announced a comprehensive partnership with Learfield IMG College Ticket Solutions that will support the USL Championship club’s ticketing and fan engagement initiatives via its industry expertise and comprehensive business resources.

The multi-year arrangement will allow Indy Eleven to continue to grow its current record ticket base and better serve its fans in anticipation of the club’s future move into the 20,000-seat multi-purpose stadium that will anchor the transformative Eleven Park neighborhood development project in the coming years.

“While much attention on the future of Indy Eleven surrounds Eleven Park, we are just as focused on maximizing the potential we have to grow at Lucas Oil Stadium this year and in the seasons to come,” said Indy Eleven Chief Executive Officer Greg Stremlaw. “Ticket Solutions is perfectly positioned to help our organization do just that, and we are thrilled to join their impressive list of partners from across the sports industry.”

Indy Eleven is proud to become the first professional soccer organization to partner with Ticket Solutions, best known for its partnerships with dozens of premier universities from coast to coast. In recent years, Ticket Solutions has grown its stable of partners across the sports industry to include the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, NCAA, Big Ten Conference, UFC and Churchill Downs, among others.

“We are thrilled and honored to engage in our first professional soccer relationship with Indy Eleven,” said Jake Bye, executive vice president for Learfield IMG College Ticket & Seat Solutions. “Whenever you have the opportunity to work with an innovative and aggressive leader like Greg in a fantastic sports market like Indianapolis, it is truly a win-win partnership in every way.  We look forward to delivering world class sales, service, and business intelligence support to the team in Indy for years to come.”

As part of the fully integrated partnership, Ticket Solutions will provide proven sales, staffing and data analytical strategies, with services including:

• Ticketing business plan and goal setting
• Primary and Secondary Ticket Sales solutions
• Ticket package and pricing modeling
• Premium Suite, Season, Group, Single Event Ticket and Customer Service
• Digital Ticket Sales Marketing
• Lead Generation
• Business Intelligence Strategy

In addition to implementing its MVP Training program, Ticket Solutions will also directly invest in business intelligence tools and resources that will completely integrate with Indy Eleven’s current ticketing platforms, allowing Indiana’s Team to better understand the supporters that make up the most dedicated fan base in the USL Championship.

Indy Eleven will take to the road the next two weeks with the chance to put some distance between its closest foes on the Eastern Conference table, starting with Saturday’s meeting against Nashville FC at Nissan Stadium (8:00 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+). After traveling to face North Carolina FC on Saturday, August 3 (7:00 p.m., live on WISH-TV & ESPN+), the Boys in Blue will enjoy a bye week before returning home for back-to-back Sunday affairs against Saint Louis FC on Aug. 18 (Faith & Family Night) and Charlotte Independence on Aug. 25 (“Red Out” Summer Celebration). Tickets for those contests at Lucas Oil Stadium remain available for as little as $15 and can be purchased at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/indyeleven/tickets or by calling 317-685-1100.

Indy Eleven today announced a comprehensive partnership with Learfield IMG College Ticket Solutions that will support the USL Championship club’s ticketing and fan engagement initiatives via its industry expertise and comprehensive business resources.

The multi-year arrangement will allow Indy Eleven to continue to grow its current record ticket base and better serve its fans in anticipation of the club’s future move into the 20,000-seat multi-purpose stadium that will anchor the transformative Eleven Park neighborhood development project in the coming years.

“While much attention on the future of Indy Eleven surrounds Eleven Park, we are just as focused on maximizing the potential we have to grow at Lucas Oil Stadium this year and in the seasons to come,” said Indy Eleven Chief Executive Officer Greg Stremlaw. “Ticket Solutions is perfectly positioned to help our organization do just that, and we are thrilled to join their impressive list of partners from across the sports industry.”

Indy Eleven is proud to become the first professional soccer organization to partner with Ticket Solutions, best known for its partnerships with dozens of premier universities from coast to coast. In recent years, Ticket Solutions has grown its stable of partners across the sports industry to include the NFL’s Tennessee Titans, NCAA, Big Ten Conference, UFC and Churchill Downs, among others.

“We are thrilled and honored to engage in our first professional soccer relationship with Indy Eleven,” said Jake Bye, executive vice president for Learfield IMG College Ticket & Seat Solutions. “Whenever you have the opportunity to work with an innovative and aggressive leader like Greg in a fantastic sports market like Indianapolis, it is truly a win-win partnership in every way.  We look forward to delivering world class sales, service, and business intelligence support to the team in Indy for years to come.”

As part of the fully integrated partnership, Ticket Solutions will provide proven sales, staffing and data analytical strategies, with services including:

• Ticketing business plan and goal setting
• Primary and Secondary Ticket Sales solutions
• Ticket package and pricing modeling
• Premium Suite, Season, Group, Single Event Ticket and Customer Service
• Digital Ticket Sales Marketing
• Lead Generation
• Business Intelligence Strategy

In addition to implementing its MVP Training program, Ticket Solutions will also directly invest in business intelligence tools and resources that will completely integrate with Indy Eleven’s current ticketing platforms, allowing Indiana’s Team to better understand the supporters that make up the most dedicated fan base in the USL Championship.

Indy Eleven will take to the road the next two weeks with the chance to put some distance between its closest foes on the Eastern Conference table, starting with Saturday’s meeting against Nashville FC at Nissan Stadium (8:00 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+). After traveling to face North Carolina FC on Saturday, August 3 (7:00 p.m., live on WISH-TV & ESPN+), the Boys in Blue will enjoy a bye week before returning home for back-to-back Sunday affairs against Saint Louis FC on Aug. 18 (Faith & Family Night) and Charlotte Independence on Aug. 25 (“Red Out” Summer Celebration). Tickets for those contests at Lucas Oil Stadium remain available for as little as $15 and can be purchased at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/indyeleven/tickets or by calling 317-685-1100.

After every game in 2019, 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's 2-0 victory vs. Loudoun United FC in Week 20 USL Championship play.

 

Second Half Form

The Boys in Blue have taken a liking to scoring goals in the second half over the last two months. In June, Indiana’s Team tallied nine of its 12 goals within the second stanza of each match. The trend has rolled through July as well, as all three of Indy’s goals have come in the latter half of matches, adding a bit of entertaining drama to the team’s recent run.

The first second-half goal this month came through a penalty at the death, finished by Ayoze in the team’s first visit to Hartford Athletic on July 13. Late-goals two and three came in last Saturday’s 2-0 home win against Loudoun United FC, Thomas Enevoldsen opened the game’s scoring in the 81st minute, followed by Tyler Pasher’s devastating nutmeg goal that sealed victory 10 minutes later in stoppage time with his eighth goal of the season. The Boys in Blue will aim to continue the form in front of net at Nashville SC and North Carolina FC over the next two weeks, after playing to scoreless draws in the first meetings of 2019.

 

Dane Kelly

If we’re looking at stellar second-half performances, look no further than Dane Kelly’s 23 minutes against Loudoun United FC. The Jamaican’s impact was felt almost immediately after nearly breaking the deadlock eight minutes into his late-game appearance, a through ball from Pasher freed Kelly for a one-on-one from the left side of the box, but his effort was pushed wide.

Kelly left his mark on the match via an assist six minutes later. The 28-year-old’s perfectly weighted one-touch pass into Loudoun’s penalty area created space for Enevoldsen to tuck a shot down middle and between the wickets of Loudoun’s ‘keeper, handing the Boys in Blue the lead. He might not have scored the goal, but his ability to read Loudoun’s defense and vision to play the pass crafted the opportunity.

“I think one of the things that helped us was Dane [Kelly] came on fresh and helped us stretch the opposition,” Head Coach Martin Rennie said. “Once he came on we had quite a lot of chances.”

 

Keeping it clean

The 2-0 victory over Loudoun United FC marked goalkeeper Evan Newton’s seventh clean sheet of the 2019 campaign and his first since returning from a groin injury that sidelined him a month. Newton recorded four saves in the team’s eighth shutout at home this season. Last season’s Golden Glove winner has recorded all but two of those eight home clean sheets, with Jordan Farr laying claim to the outliers against Atlanta United 2 and Birmingham Legion FC.

The team’s strength at home has come through the stellar play of the back three in the 3-4-3 formation coach Rennie has deployed this season. The Scotsman’s squad has allowed just two goals in 10 home matches, boasting the lowest goals allowed tally in the entirety of the league (12) after Tampa Bay Rowdies conceded its 13th on the season against Saint Louis FC last Saturday.  

“It’s always good to get a clean sheet and the guys in front have done a good job,” Newton said. “You have to keep pushing and I’m confident with everyone on this team and whoever’s in front.”

 

Indy Eleven will take to the road the next two weeks with the chance to put some distance between its closest foes on the Eastern Conference table, starting with next Saturday’s meeting against Nashville FC at Nissan Stadium (8:00 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+). After traveling to face North Carolina FC on Saturday, August 3 (7:00 p.m., live on WISH-TV & ESPN+), the Boys in Blue will enjoy a bye week before returning home for back-to-back Sunday affairs against Saint Louis FC on Aug. 18 (Faith & Family Night) and Charlotte Independence on Aug. 25 (“Red Out” Summer Celebration). Tickets for those contests at Lucas Oil Stadium remain available for as little as $15 and can be purchased at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/indyeleven/tickets or by calling 317-685-1100.

After every game in 2019, 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’s 2-0 victory vs. Loudoun United FC in Week 20 USL Championship play.

 

Second Half Form

The Boys in Blue have taken a liking to scoring goals in the second half over the last two months. In June, Indiana’s Team tallied nine of its 12 goals within the second stanza of each match. The trend has rolled through July as well, as all three of Indy’s goals have come in the latter half of matches, adding a bit of entertaining drama to the team’s recent run.

The first second-half goal this month came through a penalty at the death, finished by Ayoze in the team’s first visit to Hartford Athletic on July 13. Late-goals two and three came in last Saturday’s 2-0 home win against Loudoun United FC, Thomas Enevoldsen opened the game’s scoring in the 81st minute, followed by Tyler Pasher’s devastating nutmeg goal that sealed victory 10 minutes later in stoppage time with his eighth goal of the season. The Boys in Blue will aim to continue the form in front of net at Nashville SC and North Carolina FC over the next two weeks, after playing to scoreless draws in the first meetings of 2019.

 

Dane Kelly

If we’re looking at stellar second-half performances, look no further than Dane Kelly’s 23 minutes against Loudoun United FC. The Jamaican’s impact was felt almost immediately after nearly breaking the deadlock eight minutes into his late-game appearance, a through ball from Pasher freed Kelly for a one-on-one from the left side of the box, but his effort was pushed wide.

Kelly left his mark on the match via an assist six minutes later. The 28-year-old’s perfectly weighted one-touch pass into Loudoun’s penalty area created space for Enevoldsen to tuck a shot down middle and between the wickets of Loudoun’s ‘keeper, handing the Boys in Blue the lead. He might not have scored the goal, but his ability to read Loudoun’s defense and vision to play the pass crafted the opportunity.

“I think one of the things that helped us was Dane [Kelly] came on fresh and helped us stretch the opposition,” Head Coach Martin Rennie said. “Once he came on we had quite a lot of chances.”

 

Keeping it clean

The 2-0 victory over Loudoun United FC marked goalkeeper Evan Newton’s seventh clean sheet of the 2019 campaign and his first since returning from a groin injury that sidelined him a month. Newton recorded four saves in the team’s eighth shutout at home this season. Last season’s Golden Glove winner has recorded all but two of those eight home clean sheets, with Jordan Farr laying claim to the outliers against Atlanta United 2 and Birmingham Legion FC.

The team’s strength at home has come through the stellar play of the back three in the 3-4-3 formation coach Rennie has deployed this season. The Scotsman’s squad has allowed just two goals in 10 home matches, boasting the lowest goals allowed tally in the entirety of the league (12) after Tampa Bay Rowdies conceded its 13th on the season against Saint Louis FC last Saturday.  

“It’s always good to get a clean sheet and the guys in front have done a good job,” Newton said. “You have to keep pushing and I’m confident with everyone on this team and whoever’s in front.”

 

Indy Eleven will take to the road the next two weeks with the chance to put some distance between its closest foes on the Eastern Conference table, starting with next Saturday’s meeting against Nashville FC at Nissan Stadium (8:00 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+). After traveling to face North Carolina FC on Saturday, August 3 (7:00 p.m., live on WISH-TV & ESPN+), the Boys in Blue will enjoy a bye week before returning home for back-to-back Sunday affairs against Saint Louis FC on Aug. 18 (Faith & Family Night) and Charlotte Independence on Aug. 25 (“Red Out” Summer Celebration). Tickets for those contests at Lucas Oil Stadium remain available for as little as $15 and can be purchased at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/indyeleven/tickets or by calling 317-685-1100.

#INDvLDN Stats via USLChampionship.com Match Center

Indy Eleven's habit of leaving results to be settled late may cause its share of nervous moments, but it has been mighty effective. Tonight's latest case study in patience paying off came via a 2-0 victory over Loudoun United FC, with tallies by Thomas Enevoldsen (81') and Tyler Pasher (90+1') sending 11,059 fans home happy from Lucas Oil Stadium.

In Indy Eleven’s last five wins at home dating back to mid-May, four have come via goals scored in the 81st minute or later. In addition, the Boys in Blue added a late-game winner on the road last month – on June 15 against the same Loudoun United FC side it defeated tonight.

“It was a good game for us, it was very tight until the end,” said Indy Eleven head coach Martin Rennie. “We had to be patient and keep going, but that’s a good win for us. Every win is hard to get, and this was no different.”

Much of that success has come due to defense, and tonight was no different, with Indy Eleven becoming the first USL Championship side to post 10 shutouts on the season, Evan Newton collecting his seventh clean sheet of the campaign courtesy of four saves.

The first two chances of quality presented themselves in similar fashion from 30 yards out, shots from nearly thirty yards out by Indy Eleven defender Ayoze and Loudoun midfielder Antonio Bustamante in the 11th and 12th minutes, respectively, both glancing inches over the frame of goal. Minutes later, Ayoze freed the in-form Pasher down the left flank with a lofted ball from midfield. Pasher took an extended touch into the Loudoun 18-yard box before rifling in a low cross from the left that forced Loudoun United FC goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. into a parried defense.

Enevoldsen would get his first look at goal in the 28th minute after being played into the Loudoun 18 by a Tyler Gibson through ball. The Danish striker’s effort towards the bottom right corner was saved by Edwards Jr. and pushed away from danger.

Indy Eleven forward Ilija Ilic, who returned the starting XI for the first time since the season opener against Saint Louis FC on March 9, nearly opened the scoring in the 41st minute. The last action of the first half ensued as the Serbian dribbled into the area as far as the Loudoun six-yard box before his attempt ricocheted off Edwards Jr. at his left post, keeping the score level at zero going into the locker rooms.

The first two chances of the second half came to the visitors, but a pair of saves from Newton in the 49th and 51st minutes helped keep the Boys in Blue even. Indiana’s Team would fight back with a pair of chances back to back, first in the 57th minute as midfielder Kenney Walker played Enevoldsen in with a header from just outside Loudoun’s penalty area. The ball would glide over Loudoun’s center backs finding Enevoldsen open from the right side of the six, but his half-volley was pushed away by Edwards Jr. The second came two minutes later when defender Paddy Barrett played Enevoldsen past the pushed up United backline, but his chipped attempt carried well over the bar, sending the striker into a stern conversation with himself about the golden chance gone missing.

Substitute Dane Kelly nearly changed the scoreline in favor of the Boys in Blue in the 75th minute after a through ball from Pasher in the middle of the park found him in space. The Jamaican’s first touch came from the left side of the Loudoun box with his next touch unleashing a shot that would again force Edwards Jr. into a save as the scores remained level. Four minutes later, Loudoun’s Christian Sorto found himself on a tearing run down the left flank before cutting in and having an effort with his right foot, but his low shot was saved by Newton.

Sorto would live to regret the missed chance, as Enevoldsen would capitalize in the 81st minute. A quick chain of passes up the middle starting with Walker finding Kelly and the Jamaican deftly flicking on put Enevoldsen one-on-one with Edwards Jr. near the penalty spot. Enevoldsen’s  shot snuck between the goalkeeper’s legs, finally putting Indy front and giving the Danish forward his fifth tally of the season, now second on the squad behind Pasher.

“I think one of the things that helped us was that Dane [Kelly] came on fresh and helped us stretch the opposition. Once he came on we had quite a lot of chances. We had quite a few chances we missed beforehand,” Rennie said. “That was one that bounced around a bit and I’m quite glad for Thomas [Enevoldsen] because he was in a good position a lot tonight.”

Speaking of, ten minutes later it was the red hot Pasher sealing the game for Indiana’s Team with his eighth goal of 2019. Ayoze would play Pasher into space with a lofted ball from midfield, and after taking two lengthy touches into space Pasher found himself with only Edwards Jr. in front of him. The Canadian, just as Enevoldsen did, would go “5-hole” on the netminder, following with a jog to the corner flag in celebration of a 2-0 victory that extended Indy’s home dominance over the past year.

The Boys in Blue have taken care of business against expansion teams so far this season, gaining 15 of a possible 18 points against USL Championship newcomers via five wins in six such games against Loudoun, Hartford Athletic, Memphis 901 FC and Birmingham Legion FC.

Indy Eleven will take to the road the next two weeks with the chance to put some distance between its closest foes on the Eastern Conference table, starting with next Saturday’s meeting against Nashville FC at Nissan Stadium (8:00 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+). After traveling to face North Carolina FC on Saturday, August 3 (7:00 p.m., live on WISH-TV & ESPN+), the Boys in Blue will enjoy a bye week before returning home for back-to-back Sunday affairs against Saint Louis FC on Aug. 18 (Faith & Family Night) and Charlotte Independence on Aug. 25 (“Red Out” Summer Celebration). Tickets for those contests at Lucas Oil Stadium remain available for as little as $15 and can be purchased at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/indyeleven/tickets or by calling 317-685-1100.

 

USL Championship Regular Season – #INDvLDN
Indy Eleven  2 : 0  Loudoun United FC

Saturday, July 20, 2019 – 7:00 p.m. ET

Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, Ind.

Attendance: 11,059

 

2019 USL Championship records

Indy Eleven (11W-3L-4D, 37 pts., 3rd in Eastern Conference)

Loudoun United FC (4W-8L-4D, 16 pts., 14th in Eastern Conference)

 

Scoring Summary:
IND – Thomas Enevoldsen (Dane Kelly) 81’

IND – Tyler Pasher (Ayoze) 90+1’

Disciplinary Summary:

LDN – Collin Verfurth (Yellow card) 5’

IND – Tyler Gibson (Yellow card) 24’

IND – Paddy Barrett (Yellow card) 50’

IND – Mitch Osmond (Yellow card) 73’

IND – Dane Kelly (Yellow card) 83’

LDN – Earl Edwards Jr. (Yellow card) 87’

Indy Eleven lineup (3-4-3, L–>R): Evan Newton; Neveal Hackshaw, Mitch Osmond, Paddy Barret (captain), Tyler Pasher (Macauley King 93’), Kenney Walker, Tyler Gibson, Ayoze, Thomas Enevoldsen, Ilija Ilic (Lucas Farias 63’), Alioune Diakhate (Dane Kelly 67’)

IND Substitutes: Jordan Farr (GK), Karl Ouimette, Kim Do-heon, Emerson Nieto

Loudoun United FC lineup (4-2-3-1, L–>R): Earl Edwards Jr.; Peabo Doue, Harri Hawkins, Collin Verfurth, Akeem Ward (Connor Presley 60’); Moses Nyeman, Carlos Alvarez; Orlando Sinclair (John Murphy 67’), Antonio Bustamante (Nelson Martinez 69’), Christian Sorto; Kyle Murphy

LDN Substitutes: Calle Brown (GK), Theodore Ku-Dipietro, Jeremy Garay, Allexon Saravia

#INDvLDN Stats via USLChampionship.com Match Center

Indy Eleven’s habit of leaving results to be settled late may cause its share of nervous moments, but it has been mighty effective. Tonight’s latest case study in patience paying off came via a 2-0 victory over Loudoun United FC, with tallies by Thomas Enevoldsen (81′) and Tyler Pasher (90+1′) sending 11,059 fans home happy from Lucas Oil Stadium.

In Indy Eleven’s last five wins at home dating back to mid-May, four have come via goals scored in the 81st minute or later. In addition, the Boys in Blue added a late-game winner on the road last month – on June 15 against the same Loudoun United FC side it defeated tonight.

“It was a good game for us, it was very tight until the end,” said Indy Eleven head coach Martin Rennie. “We had to be patient and keep going, but that’s a good win for us. Every win is hard to get, and this was no different.”

Much of that success has come due to defense, and tonight was no different, with Indy Eleven becoming the first USL Championship side to post 10 shutouts on the season, Evan Newton collecting his seventh clean sheet of the campaign courtesy of four saves.

The first two chances of quality presented themselves in similar fashion from 30 yards out, shots from nearly thirty yards out by Indy Eleven defender Ayoze and Loudoun midfielder Antonio Bustamante in the 11th and 12th minutes, respectively, both glancing inches over the frame of goal. Minutes later, Ayoze freed the in-form Pasher down the left flank with a lofted ball from midfield. Pasher took an extended touch into the Loudoun 18-yard box before rifling in a low cross from the left that forced Loudoun United FC goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. into a parried defense.

Enevoldsen would get his first look at goal in the 28th minute after being played into the Loudoun 18 by a Tyler Gibson through ball. The Danish striker’s effort towards the bottom right corner was saved by Edwards Jr. and pushed away from danger.

Indy Eleven forward Ilija Ilic, who returned the starting XI for the first time since the season opener against Saint Louis FC on March 9, nearly opened the scoring in the 41st minute. The last action of the first half ensued as the Serbian dribbled into the area as far as the Loudoun six-yard box before his attempt ricocheted off Edwards Jr. at his left post, keeping the score level at zero going into the locker rooms.

The first two chances of the second half came to the visitors, but a pair of saves from Newton in the 49th and 51st minutes helped keep the Boys in Blue even. Indiana’s Team would fight back with a pair of chances back to back, first in the 57th minute as midfielder Kenney Walker played Enevoldsen in with a header from just outside Loudoun’s penalty area. The ball would glide over Loudoun’s center backs finding Enevoldsen open from the right side of the six, but his half-volley was pushed away by Edwards Jr. The second came two minutes later when defender Paddy Barrett played Enevoldsen past the pushed up United backline, but his chipped attempt carried well over the bar, sending the striker into a stern conversation with himself about the golden chance gone missing.

Substitute Dane Kelly nearly changed the scoreline in favor of the Boys in Blue in the 75th minute after a through ball from Pasher in the middle of the park found him in space. The Jamaican’s first touch came from the left side of the Loudoun box with his next touch unleashing a shot that would again force Edwards Jr. into a save as the scores remained level. Four minutes later, Loudoun’s Christian Sorto found himself on a tearing run down the left flank before cutting in and having an effort with his right foot, but his low shot was saved by Newton.

Sorto would live to regret the missed chance, as Enevoldsen would capitalize in the 81st minute. A quick chain of passes up the middle starting with Walker finding Kelly and the Jamaican deftly flicking on put Enevoldsen one-on-one with Edwards Jr. near the penalty spot. Enevoldsen’s  shot snuck between the goalkeeper’s legs, finally putting Indy front and giving the Danish forward his fifth tally of the season, now second on the squad behind Pasher.

“I think one of the things that helped us was that Dane [Kelly] came on fresh and helped us stretch the opposition. Once he came on we had quite a lot of chances. We had quite a few chances we missed beforehand,” Rennie said. “That was one that bounced around a bit and I’m quite glad for Thomas [Enevoldsen] because he was in a good position a lot tonight.”

Speaking of, ten minutes later it was the red hot Pasher sealing the game for Indiana’s Team with his eighth goal of 2019. Ayoze would play Pasher into space with a lofted ball from midfield, and after taking two lengthy touches into space Pasher found himself with only Edwards Jr. in front of him. The Canadian, just as Enevoldsen did, would go “5-hole” on the netminder, following with a jog to the corner flag in celebration of a 2-0 victory that extended Indy’s home dominance over the past year.

The Boys in Blue have taken care of business against expansion teams so far this season, gaining 15 of a possible 18 points against USL Championship newcomers via five wins in six such games against Loudoun, Hartford Athletic, Memphis 901 FC and Birmingham Legion FC.

Indy Eleven will take to the road the next two weeks with the chance to put some distance between its closest foes on the Eastern Conference table, starting with next Saturday’s meeting against Nashville FC at Nissan Stadium (8:00 p.m. ET, live on ESPN+). After traveling to face North Carolina FC on Saturday, August 3 (7:00 p.m., live on WISH-TV & ESPN+), the Boys in Blue will enjoy a bye week before returning home for back-to-back Sunday affairs against Saint Louis FC on Aug. 18 (Faith & Family Night) and Charlotte Independence on Aug. 25 (“Red Out” Summer Celebration). Tickets for those contests at Lucas Oil Stadium remain available for as little as $15 and can be purchased at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/indyeleven/tickets or by calling 317-685-1100.

 

USL Championship Regular Season – #INDvLDN
Indy Eleven  2 : 0  Loudoun United FC

Saturday, July 20, 2019 – 7:00 p.m. ET

Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, Ind.

Attendance: 11,059

 

2019 USL Championship records

Indy Eleven (11W-3L-4D, 37 pts., 3rd in Eastern Conference)

Loudoun United FC (4W-8L-4D, 16 pts., 14th in Eastern Conference)

 

Scoring Summary:
IND – Thomas Enevoldsen (Dane Kelly) 81’

IND – Tyler Pasher (Ayoze) 90+1’

Disciplinary Summary:

LDN – Collin Verfurth (Yellow card) 5’

IND – Tyler Gibson (Yellow card) 24’

IND – Paddy Barrett (Yellow card) 50’

IND – Mitch Osmond (Yellow card) 73’

IND – Dane Kelly (Yellow card) 83’

LDN – Earl Edwards Jr. (Yellow card) 87’

Indy Eleven lineup (3-4-3, L–>R): Evan Newton; Neveal Hackshaw, Mitch Osmond, Paddy Barret (captain), Tyler Pasher (Macauley King 93’), Kenney Walker, Tyler Gibson, Ayoze, Thomas Enevoldsen, Ilija Ilic (Lucas Farias 63’), Alioune Diakhate (Dane Kelly 67’)

IND Substitutes: Jordan Farr (GK), Karl Ouimette, Kim Do-heon, Emerson Nieto

Loudoun United FC lineup (4-2-3-1, L–>R): Earl Edwards Jr.; Peabo Doue, Harri Hawkins, Collin Verfurth, Akeem Ward (Connor Presley 60’); Moses Nyeman, Carlos Alvarez; Orlando Sinclair (John Murphy 67’), Antonio Bustamante (Nelson Martinez 69’), Christian Sorto; Kyle Murphy

LDN Substitutes: Calle Brown (GK), Theodore Ku-Dipietro, Jeremy Garay, Allexon Saravia

#INDvLDN Gameday Preview
Indy Eleven vs. Loudoun United FC
Saturday, July 20, 2019 – 7:00 P.M. ET
Lucas Oil Stadium  |  Indianapolis, IN       

 

Follow Live:

Local/National TV: WISH-TV

Streaming Video: ESPN+ (click for a free 7-day trial)

Radio (Spanish): Exitos Radio 1590 AM 

In-game updates: @IndyElevenLive Twitter feed, presented by Honda

 

 

Setting the Table:

Indy Eleven: 10W-3L-4D, 34 pts., 3rd in Eastern Conference

Loudoun United FC: 4W-6L-4D, 16 pts., T-13th in Eastern Conference

Click here for the full USL Championship standings 

 

First 2019 Meeting:

Loudoun United FC  1 : 2  Indy Eleven  | Saturday, June 15

Indiana’s Team used another round of Tyler Pasher late-game magic to capture the full points from the two teams’ first ever meeting, played in the posh confines of Audi Field, home to Loudoun’s MLS affiliate, D.C. United. Andrew Lubahn’s 12th minute screamer from distance past Jordan Farr – making his first career start between the posts for Indy in USL Championship play – put the home side up early. The Boys in Blue controlled the proceedings from there on out, the ratcheting pressure resulting in a Nelson Martinez own goal in the 66th minute. A frantic finish was punctuated by Pasher’s clean-up of a rebounded Dane Kelly shot in the 89th minute, keeping Indy undefeated for seven straight and resulting in a third straight win.

 

#LDNvIND:  Highlights  |  Recap  |  Stats 

 

Last Time Out:

Hartford Athletic  2 : 1  Indy Eleven  | Saturday, July 13

Indy Eleven’s 10-game undefeated streak came to an end on a hot and frustrating night in Connecticut – one that coincided with the inaugural Hartford Athletic match at the renovated Dillon Stadium. Goalkeeper Evan Newton returned to the starting lineup after missing a month recovering from a groin injury, but he and the rest of the Boys in Blue were unable to keep Hartford’s offense at bay. Forward Ilija Ilic also returned from injury to see the pitch for the first time since March 9, coming on as a substitute in the 60th minute. Defender Ayoze scored the team’s lone goal, and his first of the season, from the penalty spot to halve the Hartford lead in the 88th minute.

 

#HFDvIND:  Highlights  |  Recap  |  Stats 

 

North Carolina FC # : # Loudoun United FC  |  Wednesday, July 17

Two goals from Yamikani Chester helped North Carolina FC secure a comfortable win in its first meeting with Loudoun. NCFC found the opening goal 10 minutes in, when Nelson Martinez fouled Steven Miller on the edge of the penalty area and Robbie Kristo expertly curled the resulting free kick past Loudoun goalkeeper Calle Brown into the top-left corner. The hosts had to work for it, but Kristo eventually sealed the result with tallies in quick succession in the 72nd and 74th minutes. The result pulled North Carolina even with Indy Eleven on 34 points, good for a share of third place on the Eastern Conference table.

 

#NCvLDN:  Highlights  |  Recap  |  Stats 

 

#INDvLDN Storylines

• Eleven forward Dane Kelly was on the roster for D.C. United during its 2018 MLS campaign, the Jamaican making one appearance for the Black-and-Red last season.
• To say that Lucas Oil Stadium has been kind to Indy Eleven would be an understatement. The Boys in Blue have gone undefeated in their last 17 regular season home matches (10W-0L-7D) dating back over a year to last July 7, when a 2-1 win over the Charlotte Independence kicked off the run.
• That stretch includes a 5W-0L-4D mark at the corners of South & Capitol Streets so far in 2019, during which Indy Eleven has outscored its opponents 9-2 and posted clean sheets in seven of the nine outings.
• The Boys in Blue still have some work to do to break the club’s all-time home unbeaten streak, a 20-game run during the “NASL era” at Michael A. Carroll Stadium from October 2015 through May 2017.
• While Evan Newton and Ilija Ilic officially came back from injuries last Saturday in Hartford, another member of the Boys in Blue, Eugene Starikov, is also getting closer to seeing the field yet again. The second-year member of Indiana’s Team is aiming to make his first appearance since the Eleven’s home opener against Hartford back on March 30, and with the Ukrainian striker’s status upgraded to questionable last week, his return from a groin injury could come as early as Saturday.
• Last weekend’s loss at Hartford Athletic marked the first time Indy Eleven dropped points against a 2019 USL Championship expansion side, its record now standing at 4W-1L-0D collectively against Hartford, Loudoun, Memphis & Birmingham.
• After scoring just once in four games across May, Indy Eleven has hit the back of the net at least once in its last seven contests, including four multiple-goal games (13 GF/5 GA in the stretch). Indy Eleven began the year by scoring in six straight games before May’s dry spell.

 

Indy Eleven Player to Watch | DF Ayoze

While Ayoze played only a small portion of the match against Loudoun United FC the last time the two teams played on June 15, his 19 minutes were strong and impactful. The Spaniard averaged 92 percent pass completion and created one chance while helping build the attacking pressure Indy needed to capitalize late. That activity showed in the defensive third as well, as evidenced by him racking up two tackles and interceptions and a blocked shot for good measure.

The 33-year-old heads into the second fixture against Loudoun after scoring his first goal of the season last Saturday against Hartford via a late conversion from the spot. The former La Liga performer has been an integral piece in the Indy front third as he’s notched a pair of assists, leads the team with 71 crosses and is second on the squad with 31 chances created (both the latter marks, ironically, place 11th in the Eastern Conference). What numbers won’t show is his surprising physicality, savvy gamesmanship and uncanny ability to see the field – all qualities that may stand out even more against one of the younger teams in the USL Championship on Saturday night.

 

Loudoun United FC Player to Watch | FW Kyle Murphy

Murphy has started his 2019 season on the front foot, playing all but 32 minutes for his club since the start of the season. He leads Loudoun with five goals scored, and is also at the top of the team in assists with three.

Four of the 26-year-old’s five goals have come from his right foot, so in order to keep him at bay the Boys in Blue would be wise to push him onto his weaker boot. Indiana’s Team will also need to keep an eye on his creative ability if they take away his shot, as he’s played eight key passes.

 

Match-up to Mark | Indy DF Karl Ouimette vs. Loudoun DF Peabo Doue

Ouimette and Doue are experienced defenders who play different roles on two very different rosters. Ouimette, a veteran among fellow veterans, and a regular on coach Martin Rennie’s line-up sheet since stepping foot in the Circle City last year. After starting 32 of 34 regular season contests last year, Ouimette also started this year’s first two games, but was shuffled out of the backline rotation for the next four. However, since entering early in Indy’s match on May 1 against Tampa Bay following Paddy Barrett’s red card exit, the Canadian has not left the field, playing every minute across Indy’s last 10 outings. The 27-year-old is close to leading the team in several defensive categories including clearances (40), interceptions (17), and tackles won (76.2%), and he’s also moved the ball well for a center back, where he’s averaged just below 80 percent passing accuracy.

On the opposite side is Doue, who in his first season with Loudoun is similar to Ouimette in that he’s a constant on the field, appearing in 13 of United’s 14 games and missing only 75 minutes of action from his left back position. One thing the 27-year-old does not have in common with Ouimette is that he is surrounded by a Loudoun roster stacked with youth – although his status as a D.C. United Academy alum certainly gives him some locker room talking points with many of the lads. The well-traveled Doue, who has made previous Championship stops with North Carolina (19 appearances last season), OKC Energy FC and Phoenix FC, is also a contrast as a two-way player on the left side, as he currently leads his team in interceptions (21) and has the ability to play creator, recording two assists on six key passes this season.

 

Indy Eleven returns home this Saturday to close out its season series against another expansion side, Loudoun United FC, at Lucas Oil Stadium at 7:00 p.m. Tickets for the “Night of Champions” match celebrating Indiana Soccer club and IHSAA teams remain available for as little as $15 and can be purchased at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/indyeleven/tickets or by calling 317-685-1100.

#INDvLDN Gameday Preview
Indy Eleven vs. Loudoun United FC
Saturday, July 20, 2019 – 7:00 P.M. ET
Lucas Oil Stadium  |  Indianapolis, IN       

 

Follow Live:

Local/National TV: WISH-TV

Streaming Video: ESPN+ (click for a free 7-day trial)

Radio (Spanish): Exitos Radio 1590 AM 

In-game updates: @IndyElevenLive Twitter feed, presented by Honda

 

 

Setting the Table:

Indy Eleven: 10W-3L-4D, 34 pts., 3rd in Eastern Conference

Loudoun United FC: 4W-6L-4D, 16 pts., T-13th in Eastern Conference

Click here for the full USL Championship standings 

 

First 2019 Meeting:

Loudoun United FC  1 : 2  Indy Eleven  | Saturday, June 15

Indiana’s Team used another round of Tyler Pasher late-game magic to capture the full points from the two teams’ first ever meeting, played in the posh confines of Audi Field, home to Loudoun’s MLS affiliate, D.C. United. Andrew Lubahn’s 12th minute screamer from distance past Jordan Farr – making his first career start between the posts for Indy in USL Championship play – put the home side up early. The Boys in Blue controlled the proceedings from there on out, the ratcheting pressure resulting in a Nelson Martinez own goal in the 66th minute. A frantic finish was punctuated by Pasher’s clean-up of a rebounded Dane Kelly shot in the 89th minute, keeping Indy undefeated for seven straight and resulting in a third straight win.

 

#LDNvIND:  Highlights  |  Recap  |  Stats 

 

Last Time Out:

Hartford Athletic  2 : 1  Indy Eleven  | Saturday, July 13

Indy Eleven’s 10-game undefeated streak came to an end on a hot and frustrating night in Connecticut – one that coincided with the inaugural Hartford Athletic match at the renovated Dillon Stadium. Goalkeeper Evan Newton returned to the starting lineup after missing a month recovering from a groin injury, but he and the rest of the Boys in Blue were unable to keep Hartford’s offense at bay. Forward Ilija Ilic also returned from injury to see the pitch for the first time since March 9, coming on as a substitute in the 60th minute. Defender Ayoze scored the team’s lone goal, and his first of the season, from the penalty spot to halve the Hartford lead in the 88th minute.

 

#HFDvIND:  Highlights  |  Recap  |  Stats 

 

North Carolina FC # : # Loudoun United FC  |  Wednesday, July 17

Two goals from Yamikani Chester helped North Carolina FC secure a comfortable win in its first meeting with Loudoun. NCFC found the opening goal 10 minutes in, when Nelson Martinez fouled Steven Miller on the edge of the penalty area and Robbie Kristo expertly curled the resulting free kick past Loudoun goalkeeper Calle Brown into the top-left corner. The hosts had to work for it, but Kristo eventually sealed the result with tallies in quick succession in the 72nd and 74th minutes. The result pulled North Carolina even with Indy Eleven on 34 points, good for a share of third place on the Eastern Conference table.

 

#NCvLDN:  Highlights  |  Recap  |  Stats 

 

#INDvLDN Storylines

• Eleven forward Dane Kelly was on the roster for D.C. United during its 2018 MLS campaign, the Jamaican making one appearance for the Black-and-Red last season.
• To say that Lucas Oil Stadium has been kind to Indy Eleven would be an understatement. The Boys in Blue have gone undefeated in their last 17 regular season home matches (10W-0L-7D) dating back over a year to last July 7, when a 2-1 win over the Charlotte Independence kicked off the run.
• That stretch includes a 5W-0L-4D mark at the corners of South & Capitol Streets so far in 2019, during which Indy Eleven has outscored its opponents 9-2 and posted clean sheets in seven of the nine outings.
• The Boys in Blue still have some work to do to break the club’s all-time home unbeaten streak, a 20-game run during the “NASL era” at Michael A. Carroll Stadium from October 2015 through May 2017.
• While Evan Newton and Ilija Ilic officially came back from injuries last Saturday in Hartford, another member of the Boys in Blue, Eugene Starikov, is also getting closer to seeing the field yet again. The second-year member of Indiana’s Team is aiming to make his first appearance since the Eleven’s home opener against Hartford back on March 30, and with the Ukrainian striker’s status upgraded to questionable last week, his return from a groin injury could come as early as Saturday.
• Last weekend’s loss at Hartford Athletic marked the first time Indy Eleven dropped points against a 2019 USL Championship expansion side, its record now standing at 4W-1L-0D collectively against Hartford, Loudoun, Memphis & Birmingham.
• After scoring just once in four games across May, Indy Eleven has hit the back of the net at least once in its last seven contests, including four multiple-goal games (13 GF/5 GA in the stretch). Indy Eleven began the year by scoring in six straight games before May’s dry spell.

 

Indy Eleven Player to Watch | DF Ayoze

While Ayoze played only a small portion of the match against Loudoun United FC the last time the two teams played on June 15, his 19 minutes were strong and impactful. The Spaniard averaged 92 percent pass completion and created one chance while helping build the attacking pressure Indy needed to capitalize late. That activity showed in the defensive third as well, as evidenced by him racking up two tackles and interceptions and a blocked shot for good measure.

The 33-year-old heads into the second fixture against Loudoun after scoring his first goal of the season last Saturday against Hartford via a late conversion from the spot. The former La Liga performer has been an integral piece in the Indy front third as he’s notched a pair of assists, leads the team with 71 crosses and is second on the squad with 31 chances created (both the latter marks, ironically, place 11th in the Eastern Conference). What numbers won’t show is his surprising physicality, savvy gamesmanship and uncanny ability to see the field – all qualities that may stand out even more against one of the younger teams in the USL Championship on Saturday night.

 

Loudoun United FC Player to Watch | FW Kyle Murphy

Murphy has started his 2019 season on the front foot, playing all but 32 minutes for his club since the start of the season. He leads Loudoun with five goals scored, and is also at the top of the team in assists with three.

Four of the 26-year-old’s five goals have come from his right foot, so in order to keep him at bay the Boys in Blue would be wise to push him onto his weaker boot. Indiana’s Team will also need to keep an eye on his creative ability if they take away his shot, as he’s played eight key passes.

 

Match-up to Mark | Indy DF Karl Ouimette vs. Loudoun DF Peabo Doue

Ouimette and Doue are experienced defenders who play different roles on two very different rosters. Ouimette, a veteran among fellow veterans, and a regular on coach Martin Rennie’s line-up sheet since stepping foot in the Circle City last year. After starting 32 of 34 regular season contests last year, Ouimette also started this year’s first two games, but was shuffled out of the backline rotation for the next four. However, since entering early in Indy’s match on May 1 against Tampa Bay following Paddy Barrett’s red card exit, the Canadian has not left the field, playing every minute across Indy’s last 10 outings. The 27-year-old is close to leading the team in several defensive categories including clearances (40), interceptions (17), and tackles won (76.2%), and he’s also moved the ball well for a center back, where he’s averaged just below 80 percent passing accuracy.

On the opposite side is Doue, who in his first season with Loudoun is similar to Ouimette in that he’s a constant on the field, appearing in 13 of United’s 14 games and missing only 75 minutes of action from his left back position. One thing the 27-year-old does not have in common with Ouimette is that he is surrounded by a Loudoun roster stacked with youth – although his status as a D.C. United Academy alum certainly gives him some locker room talking points with many of the lads. The well-traveled Doue, who has made previous Championship stops with North Carolina (19 appearances last season), OKC Energy FC and Phoenix FC, is also a contrast as a two-way player on the left side, as he currently leads his team in interceptions (21) and has the ability to play creator, recording two assists on six key passes this season.

 

Indy Eleven returns home this Saturday to close out its season series against another expansion side, Loudoun United FC, at Lucas Oil Stadium at 7:00 p.m. Tickets for the “Night of Champions” match celebrating Indiana Soccer club and IHSAA teams remain available for as little as $15 and can be purchased at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/indyeleven/tickets or by calling 317-685-1100.

After every game in 2019, 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's 1-2 defeat at Hartford Athletic in Week 19 USL Championship play.
 

 

#1) Ilija Ilic

 

After a spell rehabbing from injury, forward Ilija Ilic returned to the pitch for the first time since starting in Indy Eleven’s 2019 season opener at Saint Louis FC on March 9. The Serbian clocked in 30 minutes of play at Hartford Athletic last Saturday, coming on as a substitute for captain Matt Watson at the hour mark. He was able to create one chance during his time on the field, a skill the 28-year-old excelled at during back-to-back championship-winning runs with Louisville City FC.

Ilic’s ability to play the number 10 role, which saw him score 13 goals, 10 assists and create 54 chances last season, is a key reason head coach Martin Rennie sought after the striker during the offseason. His return to the pitch can only spell good things for Indy’s offense as he looks to emulate last season’s form in the latter half of 2019.

 

#2) Back Between the Posts …

 

Ilic wasn’t the only one to return to the field in Saturday’s game. Goalkeeper Evan Newton returned to the starting XI for the first time since coming off the pitch in the 72nd minute at Memphis 901 FC on June 8. Newton spent a little over a month on the sideline after starting the season on the front foot, giving ‘keeper Jordan Farr a four-game stint between the sticks.

The 31-year-old recorded 12 starts before his late-match exit in Memphis, recording six clean sheets and allowing just eight goals. Newton is still on pace to top his 2018 numbers with FC Cincinnati, as he looks to earn a second USL Championship Golden Glove award in as many years – but this time with the Boys in Blue.

 

#3) Not for a Lack of Effort

 

Saturday’s post-game stat sheet appeared to be stacked in Indy Eleven’s favor. The Boys in Blue dominated possession (62-38), played just shy of double the number of passes as Hartford and created a multitude more chances from corners (8 to 1), but couldn’t slip away with a win on a hot night in Connecticut.

Both teams racked up 12 shots, but perhaps the most telling stat from the game was shots on goal – Indiana’s Team was only able to land three on target, half the times Hartford tested Newton on the night. Defender Ayoze tucked away the only goal for Indy by way of a penalty in the 88th minute.

Despite the loss, the chances were there – which was a familiar refrain by Rennie during a frustrating month of May in which Indy notched one goal in four games (but still went undefeated). The Boys in Blue bounced back in June, scoring multiple goals four times in six contests (while again going undefeated). While Saturday’s result was disappointing, Rennie believes the squad can again build off it and move the attack forward.

“If we’d taken our chances better in the first half that might’ve made the difference,” Rennie said. “But I really do think this is something we can use as motivation and get back to doing what we do.”

 

Indy Eleven returns home this Saturday to close out its season series against another expansion side, Loudoun United FC, at Lucas Oil Stadium at 7:00 p.m. Tickets for the “Night of Champions” match celebrating Indiana Soccer club and IHSAA teams remain available for as little as $15 and can be purchased at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/indyeleven/tickets or by calling 317-685-1100.

After every game in 2019, 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’s 1-2 defeat at Hartford Athletic in Week 19 USL Championship play.
 

 

#1) Ilija Ilic

 

After a spell rehabbing from injury, forward Ilija Ilic returned to the pitch for the first time since starting in Indy Eleven’s 2019 season opener at Saint Louis FC on March 9. The Serbian clocked in 30 minutes of play at Hartford Athletic last Saturday, coming on as a substitute for captain Matt Watson at the hour mark. He was able to create one chance during his time on the field, a skill the 28-year-old excelled at during back-to-back championship-winning runs with Louisville City FC.

Ilic’s ability to play the number 10 role, which saw him score 13 goals, 10 assists and create 54 chances last season, is a key reason head coach Martin Rennie sought after the striker during the offseason. His return to the pitch can only spell good things for Indy’s offense as he looks to emulate last season’s form in the latter half of 2019.

 

#2) Back Between the Posts …

 

Ilic wasn’t the only one to return to the field in Saturday’s game. Goalkeeper Evan Newton returned to the starting XI for the first time since coming off the pitch in the 72nd minute at Memphis 901 FC on June 8. Newton spent a little over a month on the sideline after starting the season on the front foot, giving ‘keeper Jordan Farr a four-game stint between the sticks.

The 31-year-old recorded 12 starts before his late-match exit in Memphis, recording six clean sheets and allowing just eight goals. Newton is still on pace to top his 2018 numbers with FC Cincinnati, as he looks to earn a second USL Championship Golden Glove award in as many years – but this time with the Boys in Blue.

 

#3) Not for a Lack of Effort

 

Saturday’s post-game stat sheet appeared to be stacked in Indy Eleven’s favor. The Boys in Blue dominated possession (62-38), played just shy of double the number of passes as Hartford and created a multitude more chances from corners (8 to 1), but couldn’t slip away with a win on a hot night in Connecticut.

Both teams racked up 12 shots, but perhaps the most telling stat from the game was shots on goal – Indiana’s Team was only able to land three on target, half the times Hartford tested Newton on the night. Defender Ayoze tucked away the only goal for Indy by way of a penalty in the 88th minute.

Despite the loss, the chances were there – which was a familiar refrain by Rennie during a frustrating month of May in which Indy notched one goal in four games (but still went undefeated). The Boys in Blue bounced back in June, scoring multiple goals four times in six contests (while again going undefeated). While Saturday’s result was disappointing, Rennie believes the squad can again build off it and move the attack forward.

“If we’d taken our chances better in the first half that might’ve made the difference,” Rennie said. “But I really do think this is something we can use as motivation and get back to doing what we do.”

 

Indy Eleven returns home this Saturday to close out its season series against another expansion side, Loudoun United FC, at Lucas Oil Stadium at 7:00 p.m. Tickets for the “Night of Champions” match celebrating Indiana Soccer club and IHSAA teams remain available for as little as $15 and can be purchased at https://sportsengine-staging.go-vip.net/indyeleven/tickets or by calling 317-685-1100.