Indy Eleven vs Orange County SC - 12.30

Summary

- Opponent: Orange County SC
- Location: Championship Soccer Stadium
- Attendance: 5,000
- Final Score: 2-1 L

- Starting XI: Sulte, Zalinsky, Ofeimu, Schaefer, Musa, Lindley, Murphy, Quinn (C), Blake, Rendon, Williams, R.

- Substitution: Amoh 67' (Murphy); Kizza 85' (Williams, R.); White 85' (Musa)

- Unused: Pruter, Hogan, O'Brien, J., Soumaoro

- Scoring Summary:
OC - Latinovich 23' (assist Hegardt)
IND - Williams 36' (assist Quinn)
OC - Sylla 90'+1' (assist Kone)

- Bookings:

IND - Williams 45'+3' (Yellow)
IND - Blake 48' (Yellow)
IND - Ofeimu 73' (Yellow)
OC - Latinovic 80' (Yellow)

- Referee: Elvis Osmanovic

- Adage goals: One.

Thoughts and Opinions

Due to a 58th goal by LeFlore in the Detroit versus Tampa Bay game, it had all appearances that by the time Indy and Orange County would kick off, Indy wouldn't be able to do anything to move themselves above the playoff line and would be forced to the role of spectator no matter their result. However, an 81st minute goal by Tampa Bay brought everything back into play for Indy. The draw meant that Tampa Bay's playoff bubble had officially popped, and Detroit still sat in the cat bird seat, with Indy lurking in a position to overtake them. Orange County left it late, but picked up a 2-1 win to send Indy home wondering what they need to do in the offseason to get better to be able to get back to the playoffs next year.

Indy found themselves down a goal earlier than they would have wanted on a recycled corner kick. To their credit, Indy pulled one back 13 minutes later on their own recycled corner kick when Quinn put a ball to the back post that Williams was able to rise above everyone to head it passed Shutler. The two set piece goals were all that either team could get across the line and the first half ended as an relatively even affair. Despite an OC advantage in possession, the game was deservedly a 1-1 draw when the teams went into the halftime locker room. 

In a game where a draw meant nothing for Indy Eleven, the second half turned into a wide open game with the midfield players going box to box. Indy needed every effort to get the ball up top, which created a plethora of opportunities for OC to play the same open way, despite wanting to normally play with more possession. With so much field available to them as Indy pushed forward, OC played to what was given to them. Moments of calm were reserved for the moments when players were injured or preparing for long throw-ins. 

As time wound down, Coach McAuley and the Eleven needed a 2nd goal and began pushing everyone forward, leaving just Ofeimu and Schaefer back to defend with Zalinsky pushed forward and Musa taken off for White. The stretched defenders finally broke in the 90'+1' when second half substitute Sylla was able to get Schaefer to bite on a ball, then pushed the ball away from Ofeimu, before putting a laser to Sulte's left that he was unable to reach. As the ball pushed the netting out, a Championship Soccer Stadium crowd erupted in excitement while simultaneously taking all the air out of the Indy Eleven hope of surviving the last day of a long season.

Indy's absence from this year's playoffs had very little to do with tonight's results. Yes, Detroit left the door open for Indy, and Indy couldn't get over the finish line a couple hours later, but it could be argued this season's chance at the playoffs was derailed much earlier in the season. Indy didn't need to be in the win-or-die situation they found themselves in tonight.

The cards for Indy's inability to make the playoffs for a third consecutive year were greatly affected by their unfortunate trend of conceding late goals to teams; tonight being no different. Not counting the two games in the Jagermeister Cup where Indy conceded late goals that forced the team into penalty kicks (or tonight), Indy had lost 18 points from winning positions, most notably four games when Indy dropped points with just minutes (seconds?) remaining in the game:

• April 5 draw North Carolina (90'+3') - 2 points lost
• May 10 draw vs Sacramento (90'+6') - 2 points lost
• June 21 loss vs Las Vegas (90') - 3 points lost
• Aug 16 loss vs Loudoun (86') - 3 points lost

As mentioned, Indy also made life difficult for themselves in the Jagermeister Cup when they conceded late, the second of which meant that they were eliminated from the competition at home by a League One team.

• June 28 "draw" vs Birmingham (90'+4') - win in PK Jagermeister
• Aug 20 "draw" vs Greenville (90') - loss in PK Jagermeister

The USL Championship season is more of a marathon than a sprint, but the tightness of both the Eastern and Western Conference tables shows that every point counts when you're not Louisville, Charleston, or Tulsa (at least this year...). In the West, 4th through 9th were separated by just 5 points; in the East, 3rd through 9th were separated by 10 points. Indy's inability this year to see games over the finish line is the main cause of why they'll watch the playoffs from their own homes, and likely wondering who will be elsewhere once the roster for next year starts to be announced. I'll have my post-season recap post in the upcoming weeks giving my opinion on who I think might be returning.

Tonight though, I once again let myself start to get hope that maybe Indy could get the win after Tampa Bay did Indy a solid and pulled out a draw against Detroit. Then Indy pulled back their own goal after conceding early. 

Apparently, it IS the hope that kills you.

Well, that and late opposition goals.

Game Beckons Game Ball

Despite the loss, I want to give a final GBGB of the season. Blake seemed to continue to find himself in dangerous positions, but just couldn't get the right touch. Blake is one of those players that I think returns next season, at which point he will likely, and maybe quickly, become the leader in many of the categories in the team's history, including surpassing Zayed as the top goal scorer.

Indy Eleven vs Loudoun United - 12.29

 Summary

- Opponent: Loudoun United FC
- Location: Carroll Stadium
- Attendance: 10,163
- Final Score: 2-1 W

- Starting XI: Sulte, Zalinsky, Ofeimu, Schaefer, Musa, Lindley, Murphy, Rendon, Quinn (C), Blake, Williams, R.

- Substitution: O'Brien, J. 71' (Murphy); Amoh 71' (Williams, R.); White 71' (Zalinsky); Kizza 77' (Rendon)

- Unused: Pruter, Collier, Soumaoro

- Scoring Summary:
IND - Rendon 11' (assist Quinn)
IND - Rendon 54'
LDN - Own Goal 65' (Lindley)

- Bookings:

LDN - Bidois 26' (Yellow)
LDN - Skundrich 34' (Yellow)
IND - Murphy 44' (Yellow)
LDN - Awuah 70' (Yellow)

- Referee: Brandon Stevis

- Adage goals: None.

Thoughts and Opinions

When Indy kicked off their game late due to a 2-hour weather delay, Detroit had drawn with Charleston, Rhode Island had drawn with North Carolina, and Tampa Bay was on their way to beating Hartford. Of the teams around Indy all vying for the final playoff spots, all had given themselves a chance by not losing. By the end of the night, just a single playoff spot remained for the taking in the Eastern Conference. With the narrowest of margins, Detroit sits in the position to play Louisville in the first weekend of the playoffs. To their credit, Indy waited out the weather delay to get a 2-1 victory to keep themselves within arms reach of supplanting Detroit for that chance to try and ruin Louisville's season. 

The Carroll Stadium turf has never been an easy surface for players to play the way they want to play. Players have repeatedly mentioned this to me over the years. Add a couple hours of rain and the surface is bouncy and slick. Indy's typical direct style of play was amplified in these conditions with numerous attempts to circumvent the entirety of the Loudoun team and play over the top. That mentality lead to the early goal from Rendon when Quinn put a ball that allowed Rendon to run onto and chip Loudoun's keeper Jack. 

A second goal from Rendon early in the second half afforded them the opportunity to still get all three points despite an unfortunate deflection off of Lindley that resulted in an own goal to bring Loudoun back into the game. Indy held on to give fans hope that next week's game against Orange County won't be the last of the 2025 season. Amazingly, of the final three teams from the Eastern Conference that have not resolved their place in or out of the playoffs, two of them will play each other in the final game of the season. While Indy head west to play Orange County, Detroit and Tampa Bay will be playing at Al Lang Stadium in Tampa Bay with everything on the line for all involved. Indy have to beat Orange County to get above Detroit for the 8th and final playoff spot, but then they need Detroit to not get all three points against Tampa Bay. As long as Indy wins, they won't care if Tampa Bay wins. If Indy doesn't get the full three points against OC, I think TB has to beat DET by a 3 goal margin for them to get in. If Detroit wins, then Indy and Detroit start their offseason breaks early.

"So you're saying there's a chance."

"It's the hope that kills you."

Pick the quote that works for you in this situation, but Indy did what they needed to do tonight to prove they haven't given up on the season.

It will all get sorted out next week.

Game Beckons Game Ball

By my count, an Indy player has secured a brace just 36 times by 25 different players in the history of the team. Not quite as rare as the number of times a player has scored a hat trick (5 times from 4 different players), but unique enough that it warrants getting tonight's GBGB. Rendon had 3 shots, two of them on target, both of which found the goal.  

Indy Eleven vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds - 12.28

Summary

- Opponent: Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Location: Highmark Stadium
- Attendance: 5,618
- Final Score: 2-1 L

- Starting XI: Sulte, Zalinsky, Ofeimu, Schaefer, Musa, Murphy, Lindley, Quinn (C), Blake, Rendon, Williams, R.

- Substitution: Kizza 62' (Quinn); Bryneus 62' (Murphy); White 62' (Zalinsky); Amoh 77' (Williams, R.); O'Brien, J. 83' (Ofeimu)

- Unused: Pruter, Soumaoro

- Scoring Summary:
PIT - Griffin 38' (assist Williams)
PIT - Suber 76' (assist Sample)
IND - Musa 88' (unassisted)

- Bookings:

IND - Schaefer 18' (Yellow)
IND - Lindley 63' (Yellow)
PIT - Barnes 86' (Yellow)

- Referee: Muhammad Kaleia

- Adage goals: None.

Thoughts and Opinions

Coming into the game, the playoff math was clear for one team; a Pittsburgh win and they would clinch their spot in the playoffs. The math for Indy Eleven is fuzzier, but gets simplified when they win games; a win tonight versus Pittsburgh and some help from Tampa Bay and Indy would once again leapfrog Rhode Island for the final playoff spot with two games to play. Pittsburgh took care of their business in a 2-1 win over Indy, and Rhode Island put a boot to the throat of Tampa Bay tonight in a 5-nil thrashing to do their own leapfrog, jumping over Detroit for the 7th spot.  

An obvious storyline to this game was that Pittsburgh's long-time coach, Bob Lilley, was placed Administrative Leave as of Friday evening. No additional comments were provided, but it doesn't take a long history of watching this league to raise some eyebrows at the announcement. Lilley's most frequent adjective, other than one of the winningest coaches in the history of soccer in the United States, is that he is "demanding." I've seen a losing Pittsburgh team be forced to stand on the Carroll Stadium turf and withstand a Lilley berating for 20 minutes post-game. It doesn't seem unreasonable that Lilley's demanding nature finally went too far. Obviously, I have no idea why he was placed on leave, but it wouldn't surprise me if Lilley's demanding personality was a factor.

Indy is a top 10 team in scoring this year. The issue has been that they have conceded the second highest amount in the league. Indy's highest negative goal differential has been -2 so it's not like they've been blown out of games to get dubious distinction. It's been mistakes or poor decisions or like tonight's first goal for Pittsburgh where Ofeimu and Schaefer didn't adequately talk to each other as the ball came into the Indy box and neither got a proper head to it. The ball made it beyond both where former Indy player Augi Williams put the ball back across the box where a scrambling Indy defense couldn't get to Griffin who simply had to redirect the ball into the goal.

The halftime stats showed Indy with a 62.5% aerial duels success, however, the issue was that the success was short lived as the header frequently found a Pittsburgh player. In more than a few occasions, it looked like the Pittsburgh players purposefully played the second ball instead of the first ball. Indy hasn't been a dominant aerial team this season, but it seemed to be something that Pittsburgh thought they saw on video that they thought they could exploit. 

Pittsburgh found a second goal in the 76th minute from a glancing header from Suber on a corner kick that, for all intent and purposes, solidified the result for the home squad. Indy did find a late goal to avoid the shutout and prevent Dick from getting his 10th clean sheet of the year, but that's about as much solace as Indy can take from their goal. Other than maybe showing their continued ability to fight to the end of a game. It's a results-orientated business, but it is good to see a team fight until the end. As I said last game, silver linings mean nothing at this point of the season, and as was stated in the telecast, moral victories don't matter much either. 

I stopped by Indy's training on Tuesday morning and what Coach McAuley said to me that morning he reiterated to Greg Rakestraw on Soccer Saturday. "One win might get us in, two wins probably gets us in, and three wins should get us in." Tonight's result doesn't put a final nail in Indy's playoff coffin, but it comes close. With Rhode Island's win over Tampa Bay, even if Indy had won tonight, they would have still stayed below the playoff line due to Detroit holding the tiebreaker, but at least a chance at the playoffs would have felt closer. As it is, Indy now sits 3 points behind Detroit with two games remaining for all the teams around them. Indy play Loudoun and Orange County, the former of which has locked in their spot in the playoffs and the latter of which is like Indy trying to claw their way to the right side of the playoff line. Rhode Island finish with North Carolina and New Mexico, both of which have clinched their spots. Detroit finishes with Charleston and Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay has their own outside chance to sneak into the playoffs. 

There are scenarios for Indy to make the playoffs, but with tonight's loss, they almost have to get wins out of their final games and they still won't have their fate in their hands. If I'm looking at things correctly, a win by Detroit and two draws from Rhode Island can keep Indy out of the playoffs even if Indy win out.

Indy's streak of never making the playoffs for a third straight year looks more and more likely.

Indy return home next weekend for the final home game of the 2025 season.

Indy Eleven at Louisville City FC - 12.27

Summary

- Opponent: Louisville City FC
- Location: Lynn Family Stadium
- Attendance: 9,785
- Final Score: 2-0 L

- Starting XI: Pruter, Zalinsky, Ofeimu, Schaefer, Musa, Murphy, Lindley, Blake, Quinn (C), Rendon, Williams, R.

- Substitution: White 63' (Zalinsky); Amoh 63' (Murphy); Bryneus 78' (Ofeimu); Soumaoro 78' (Rendon)

- Unused: Sulte, Kizza, O'Brien, J.

- Scoring Summary:
LOU - Dia 36' (assist Lambert)
LOU - Davila 58' (unassisted)

- Bookings:

LOU - Perez 63' (Yellow)
LOU - Las 72' (RED)

- Referee: Servando Berna Rico

- Adage goals: None.

Thoughts and Opinions

If Indy Eleven fans are honest with themselves, this was the result that most people expected from this game. Indy's win against the top team in the Western Conference last week against FC Tulsa might have given some people hope that Indy could duplicate that result against Louisville this week. I was not one of them. Louisville has been on a different level than everybody this year and even more so when at Lynn Family Stadium. Louisville came into the game with only one loss in league play, and hadn't lost a home match in league play in 22 games, dating back to June of 2024. Indy's victory over Tulsa last week also meant that Louisville wasn't going to overlook Indy. Indy has shown that they can, periodically, compete against the best teams (beating Tulsa twice as an example), and with the Players' Shield in the Louisville players' sights, they were going to make sure that they weren't overlooking Indy. 

Indy did manage to give Louisville a better game than many might have expected, despite the 2-nil score line. The final stats are likely skewed a bit thanks to the straight red card on Louisville's goalkeeper Las in the 72nd minute when he took out Williams preventing a clear goal scoring opportunity, giving Indy a man-advantage for the final 20-ish minutes. Las took out Williams just outside the 18-yard box with no other Louisville player anywhere in the vicinity. It was one of those fouls where Indy would rather be awarded a goal rather than seeing the opposition get a red card. Since that can't happen and given the way Las took out Williams, a second game suspension beyond just the one-game suspension from the red card would be nice to see. 

Looking at the first half stats though, Indy was giving a good show of themselves against the soon to be official Players' Shield winners for the second year in a row. 

Unfortunately, we're at the point in the season were silver linings mean next to nothing. Indy needs positive results, preferably wins, while simultaneously seeing losses from the teams behind them in the table. To that point, if you thought you could hear a frustrated groan in the ether coming from Indy around 7:00 p.m. on Sunday evening, that was the Indy coaching staff and players when Noah Fuson of Rhode Island FC scored a 90th minute game-winning goal to allow them to once again jump over Indy for that 8th and final playoff spot. The rankings have been fairly consistent for much of the past few weeks, but Indy and Rhode Island have made the playoff line look your grandmother's embroidery cross stitch. Neither team has an easy game in the final three-game stretch, and Rhode Island has to play Tampa Bay, who are just two points behind Indy, meaning they're not out of the running either. All three teams need points from the final three games if they want to secure the final playoff spot. 

A part of me would rather see Indy not make the playoffs, because 1) do they really deserve to be there, and 2) squeaking into the playoffs in 8th place likely just means that Indy fans will have to watch Louisville beat Indy for a 3rd time this season. Not sure which is worse; not making the playoffs or making the playoffs and immediately losing to Louisville.

Indy return to action next week in Pittsburgh, and if Indy do want to make the playoffs, then they need a better result in Highmark Stadium than they had in Lynn Family Stadium.