The Capital Improvements Board's MLS Indy team & stadium survey

I don't know how many people have received the email from Lucas Oil Stadium and the Capital Improvements Board of Managers (CIB) last month requesting participation in a survey to "understand market support for an MLS expansion team playing in a new soccer-specific stadium in Indianapolis," but I wanted to walk through some of the survey and my responses. I tried to get screen captures of each question as I went, but I think I missed some of the pages. 

It's difficult to tell where anybody actually stands on this because so much of the information that I've heard or that has been published by other sources continues to feel like pissing matches between the Mayor's camp and Ersal's camp. Even with the recent discussion about the Vancouver Whitecaps potentially having their franchise relocated (not an unprecedented thing in MLS), to a different city thereby not taking of the presumed future new franchise spots, I still haven't seem any articles that include Indianapolis as one of the prime and viable options (though there were some rumors that seem to be a stretch for me to believe). As a result, it's difficult to ascertain the end goal of the CIB's MLS stadium survey. Legitimate inquiry into the interest and viability of a MLS team in Indianapolis, or political theater? 

If it's theater, I've been an actor in this play for the past dozen years, so I might as well do what I do, which is talk about my experiences with professional soccer in Indianapolis.

From the email requesting participation in the survey:

The CIB is conducting a survey aimed at understanding thoughts and opinions on a variety of topics including:

• Current Indianapolis Sports Engagement & Attitude towards MLS in Indianapolis
• Stadium Amenities & Game Day Atmosphere
• Seating Opportunities
• Food and Beverage Preferences
• Intended Engagement with MLS in Indianapolis

After clicking the link to get to the survey, the opening Introduction page includes a series of photos of what is expected to be similar stadiums from around MLS and reiterated the intent of the survey. An interesting aspect to the survey that immediately came to mind was that the colors that the CIB chose to utilize for the survey are either exactly like, or at a minimum very similar, to those of the Indiana Pacers, owned by the Simons. Does that mean anything? Maybe not. Still an interesting color selection from my perspective.

The very first question (and my answer) asked was "How would you characterize your attitude toward an expansion MLS team being awarded to Indianapolis?

• Very Positive
• Somewhat Positive
• Neutral
• Somewhat Negative
• Very Negative

"Why do you feel this way?"

I appreciate the potential for a 1st division soccer league team, but feel that the presence of Indianapolis' current professional team, Indy Eleven, should be considered and incorporated into any team that moves forward. The fans of that team should not be alienated with a new team, and I feel it is undesirable for that team to fold if a MLS team were to materialize.

"How would you characterize your attitude toward the development of a new soccer-specific MLS stadium in Indianapolis?

• Very Positive
• Somewhat Positive
• Neutral
• Somewhat Negative
• Very Negative

It's no surprise that I think a soccer-specific stadium would be a good thing. I've literally said it on this site for more than a decade. 

"Why do you feel this way?"

A soccer specific stadium allows for a fan experience catered to soccer fans, while also allowing for scheduling flexibility and potential for other types of soccer events to take place (NCAA tournament games, national team games, etc.)

Other notable questions within the survey are the following:

 "Why are you interested in purchasing season tickets?"

• Fan of Soccer in General
• Fan of Indianapolis Sports
• Fan of Sports in General
• Opportunity to Entertain Friends/Family
• Opportunity to Entertain Clients/Employees/Other Business Uses
• Convenient Stadium Location
• Other, Please Specify

"Ignoring price, what the the most important factors to you when considering the purchase of season tickets at a new Indianapolis MLS stadium? Please select up to 10 factors."

• Proximity to the Pitch
• Proximity to the Centerline
• Co-Location with Friends/Family
• Ease of Access to Seat
• Seat Comfort
• Ease of Access to Key Stadium Locations (i.e. Entrance/Exits, Bars, Restrooms, Concessions)
• Access to Private Club Lounge / Membership Club
• Seats in the Sun
• Seats in the Shade
• Covered Seating
• Pre-Match Activities (Fan Plazas, Party Areas)
• Ability to Purchase Parking / Parking Included
• Private Stadium Entrances
• Enhanced Benefits (Invitations to Private VIP Events, Concierge Service)
• Access to Third-Party Events
• Access to Enhanced Food & Beverage Offerings
• Access to All-Inclusive Food & Beverage Offerings
• Seats on the Home Side of the Stadium
• Seats on the Visitors Side of the Stadium
• Other, Please Specify

After a few follow-up questions about those factors, including ranking my personal preference for the items that I selected, the survey moved into the Seating Opportunities section. The first section described each of the seating choices, as well as where those choses would reside within the stadium. After the sections were described, the survey then asked, "if these were your only options, which would you chose?" A page of 5 options were then presented with a section of the seating highlighted, what the section was designated (reserved, club, general, etc.), and the potential price. This went on for 10 pages, giving a total of 50 price options. However, as I went through the sections, it felt like there were sections that were highlighted more than once. After looking back through my screenshots of the options, that turned out to be true, with the Section 7 seats having 6 different price points, drastically different from each other and with different designations (reserved versus club). I assume that's to gauge how much people are willing to pay for certain sections of the stadium, but specifically for that section which had the most alternatives and widest range, the cost ranged from $660 reserved seats to $3,475 club seats. Within all of the 50 prices points, the minimum season ticket price was $510 for a reserved seat and the maximum was a $5,100 club seat. The average of all the price points listed, regardless of type of seat was $1,850. Limiting the evaluation to just the sections that were described as Reserved, the average season ticket cost was $1,177. 

By contrast, the most expensive season ticket for Indy Eleven for the 2026 season was $1,062. Admittedly, the new soccer-specific stadium would have much better seating, concessions not run out of cargo containers or food trucks, and significantly more restroom facilities, while also having actual locker rooms for the players, media facilities, no track, etc., and be associated with 1st Division soccer in this country, but that's a significant jump in price point for most current Indy Eleven fans, i.e. the people who are currently supporting professional soccer in Indianapolis.

The following summarizes each of the seating options, and the survey's descriptions and locations for each type of seat.

"A potential MLS stadium in Indianapolis could feature a variety of seating options designed to accommodate all types of fans, including:

• 
  Reserved Seating
• Reserved Seating locations could include standard-sized stadium seats with access to general concessions, restrooms, and public entrances. 
• The purchase of a Reserved Seat would include tickets to all Indianapolis MLS preseason and regular home games played at the stadium each year. Additionally, it would provide priority access to purchase tickets to playoff games and other select stadium events.
• Location
• Lower Level East Centerline
• Lower Level East Sideline
• Lower Level Corners
• Lower Level 18-Yard Box
• Lower Level Endline
• Upper Level East Centerline
• Upper Level East Sideline
• Upper Level East 18-Yard Box
• Upper Level Corners
• Upper Level Endline

• 
  Premium General Admission Seating
• Premium General Admission Seating could offer an elevated experience from reserved seating. These seats could be configured as wider, padded stadium seats, or as ledge seats with a drink rail in front. Premium General Admissions Seats could also provide access to a private concourse with enhanced food & beverage options. 
• The purchase of a Premium General Admission Seat would include tickets to all Indianapolis MLS preseason and regular home games played at the stadium each year. Additionally, it would provide priority access to purchase tickets to playoff games and other select stadium events.
• Location
• Lower Level East Centerline
• Lower Level East Sideline
• Lower Level North Endline

• 
  Club Seating
• Club Seating could feature wider, padded seats with access to a private, climate-controlled lounge offering upscale food and beverage options. Additional benefits may include private restrooms, exclusive stadium entrances, and preferred parking access. 
• The purchase of a Club Seat would include tickets to all Indianapolis MLS preseason and regular home games played at the stadium each year. Additionally, it would provide priority access to purchase tickets to playoff games and most other stadium events.

• 
  Small Group Seating
• Small Group Seating could be designed to accommodate 4 guests in a semi-private environment, making it ideal for families, friends, or small businesses. Small Group Seating may include in-box wait service and access to upscale food and beverage options within a private club lounge located near the seating area. 
• The purchase of a Small Group Seating would include tickets to all Indianapolis MLS preseason and regular home games played at the stadium each year. Additionally, it would provide priority access to purchase tickets to playoff games and other stadium events.

• 
  Luxury Suites
• Luxury Suites could offer a private, premium experience for groups of 8 or more guests. Amenities may include a private lounge area with televisions, high-end decor, and a fully appointed service area featuring a buffet counter, refrigerator, and wet bar. 
• The purchase of a Luxury Suite would include tickets to all Indianapolis MLS preseason and regular home games played at the stadium each year. Additionally, it would provide priority access to purchase tickets to playoff games and most other stadium events.

Indy Eleven vs Union Omaha - 2026 Prinx Tires USL Cup

Summary

- Opponent: Union Omaha
- Location: Carroll Stadium
- Attendance: 8,552
- Final Score: 2-1 L

- Starting XI: Charles-Cook, Quinn (C), Herbert, Craig, Neidlinger, Blake, Lindley, O'Brien, J., Mesanvi, Rendon, Okello

- Substitution: Rasheed 65' (Craig); Barry 66;' (Herbert); Sing 66' (Okello); Kizza 66' (Lindley); Thomas 78' (Mesanvi)

- Unused: Dick, Omar

- Scoring Summary:
OMA - Faz 44' (assist Borczak)
OMA - Borczak 56' (assist Freitas)
IND - Rendon 80' (assist Quinn)

- Bookings:

OMA - Freitas 39' (Yellow)
IND - Lindley 39' (Yellow)
IND - Quinn 45'+2' (Yellow)

- Referee: Elvis Osmanovic

- Adage goals: One.
- Points Lost from Winning Position (Year To Date): 6

Thoughts and Opinions

A mere 25 days ago, these two teams faced off on a Tuesday night in the U.S. Open Cup, with the League One side advancing in the tournament with a 2-1 victory over their Championship counterparts. All goals in that game came in the 75th minute or later with Indy's goal coming in stoppage time to eliminate the clean sheet, but the Owl's goals in the 75th and 83rd minutes were enough for them to secure the win. Indy played a highly rotated squad in the game due to their league fixtures around the USOC game, but tonight with no game until next Saturday, Coach McAuley brought out the normal starters, with the exception of White who was injured last Saturday against Birmingham and will be out the rest of the season and Dick in goal, who were replaced by Neidlinger and Charles-Cook, respectively. Given that Charles-Cook didn't finish out the game against Omaha due to his red card in the USOC match, McAuley may have wanted to give him the opportunity to face the team again. Omaha knows he's not afraid of contact, so maybe having Reice back there was to get in the heads of the forwards. An under-the-weather Dick this week probably played into the goalkeeper decision as well.

What could have been argued was Indy's "B" squad in the first meeting between the two teams was replaced by Indy's "A" squad, but the result was the same as Indy fell to the League One side by the same 2-1 score. It's only the first game in the group play for the USL Cup, but when your group includes Louisville, Detroit, and Lexington from the USL Championship and Omaha, Madison, and Fort Wayne from League One, Indy's road to moving onto the next round became a lot harder after tonight's loss. 

Indy came out of the locker room ready to get in on the board with significant pressure on the Omaha goal within the first minute. By minute 2 though, Indy feel back into their typical defend-first, counterattack style of play. It's important to know who you are and Indy knows who they are, particularly at home on the Carroll Stadium turf where the ball rarely bounces the way you might expect. So it's become clear that no matter who Indy is playing, regardless of the opponent's league, Indy is going to play their style, possession totals be damned.

Indy had opportunities throughout the half. Omaha had opportunities. Their players also liked to crumble under contact as quickly as possible under most scenarios. When the referee is calling it, good for them, but Indy never seemed to adapt to the referee's calls. 

It happened in the first half instead of at the end of the game, but Indy once again conceded a goal late in a half. This time it was a player that found an open spot along the 6-yard box and Faz put the shot out of the reach of Charles-Cook. As a result, heading into the halftime locker room, Indy found themselves once again trailing the same League One opponent that defeated them a month ago. 

The second half went about like many might expect. Omaha found a second goal. Indy eventually ratcheted up their pressure and found more chances and their own goal late to prevent the clean sheet, but came up short to start the Prinx Tires USL Cup group play with a loss. 

There is no secret to the way Indy is going to play, but Indy's long passes are only as effective as their aerial duels rate, what they can do with the second ball from those passes, or what Rendon and Mesanvi can accomplish after they run onto the balls. If a team remains solid defensively against Indy's speed up top, the opposition just needs to limit the shots that Indy gets, be strong on Indy's set pieces, and bank on the clinical finishing that happened against Monterey to not happen every game. Tonight, Omaha did all that...again.

The good news is that the result tonight doesn't affect the league standings, where Indy is entrenched in the crowded middle of the table. Indy return to league play next week in Tampa Bay, but it's starting to feel that this season, while early, is going to be even more of a slog than my pessimistic self had allowed my optimistic self to believe. Indy has now lost twice to a League One team in tournament action and didn't look the better of the two teams for large chunks of either game, while also conceding late goals in half of their league goals to take promising results to mediocre results. McAuley is a process-based coach, which I can respect, but in a results-based business, at some point it's really important that the results match the process when you play well. At some point, Indy is going to need to good performances and good results if there is any chance that this version of the revolving and rebuilding roster will make progress.

Indy Eleven vs Birmingham Legion - 13.06

Summary

- Opponent: Birmingham Legion FC
- Location: Protective Stadium
- Attendance: 3,657
- Final Score: 2-2 D

- Starting XI: Dick, Quinn (C), Herbert, Craig, White, Blake, Lindley, O'Brien, J., Mesanvi, Rendon, Okello

- Substitution: Rasheed 45' (White); Kizza 52' (Mesanvi); Neidlinger 78' (Okello)

- Unused: Charles-Cook, Barry, Sing, Williams

- Scoring Summary:
BHM - Pasher 39' (Penalty Kick)
IND - Kizza 68' (assist Rasheed)
IND - O'Brien, J. 81' (assist Neidlinger)
BHM - McIllhatton 89' (assist Diarbian)

- Bookings:

BHM - Antwi 51' (Yellow)
BHM - McIllhatton 54' (Yellow)
BHM - McCartney 71' (Yellow)

- Referee: Calin Radosav

- Adage goals: None.
- Points Lost from Winning Position (Year To Date): 6

Thoughts and Opinions

In a rare Sunday game, Indy and Birmingham were the last two teams left to play in Week 7 of the USL Championship season. Both teams came into the game following victories last weekend; Indy a 3-1 win over Monterey Bay and Birmingham a 1-nil win over Pittsburgh to get their first win of the season. 

Former Indy goal scorer Tyler Pasher was able to send Birmingham into the halftime locker room with a 1-nil lead when he expertly placed a penalty kick into the upper right corner as Dick dove the wrong way. Dick's first clean sheet of the season continues to evade him, but his defenders aren't always giving him a lot of help. Pasher's penalty kick was set up by a unnecessary tackle by Herbert on veteran, and former Indy player, Romario Williams who felt enough contact and fell to the turf like a sack of potatoes. Referee Radosav immediately pointed to the spot.

Indy lost White coming out of the halftime locker room due to an injury he picked up late in the half. A late challenge by Anwit sent Mesanvi to the locker room with an injury in the 52nd minute. Just like that, Coach McAuley's substitution pattern was thrown out of the window. Regardless, Indy found two goals in the second half to give themselves a hard-fought win on the road. However, Indy going to Indy and they conceded an 89th minute goal to share the points. Diarbian's pass to McIllhatton to get the goal that brought the teams level was through 4 Indy players. Diarbian outworked 4 players and found a wide open McIllhatton. 

In a vacuum, a point on the road seems like a good result. When you drill down into how the point was obtained (or how points were lost), Indy simply cannot close out games this way. Six points lost from winning positions in 6 games, with three goals conceded in the 88th minute or later. Those 6 additional points would have Indy 2nd in the table. 

I've thought it at times this season, but it really came to mind today as I started looking at Indy's starting lineup, but more specifically where those players are starting in a tactical arrangement. Coach McAuley is utilizing guys where he thinks they can make the most impact and to get his best players on the field, particularly with some injuries in the squad. Rendon came to the team two years ago as the League One Defender of the Year. Quinn is one of the best midfielders in the history of the league. O'Brien played as a defender his first two seasons in Indy. And yet... Rendon is now up top, Quinn is playing as a wingback, and O'Brien has moved into the midfield. Use what you got as best you can and hope it works. I'm not sure it's entirely working... Indy is scoring goals, but can't hold onto a lead to save their lives.

Indy return to action on Saturday against Union Omaha as part of the Prinx Tires USL Cup. Hopefully McAuley picks the right squad this time so that Indy can flip the result they had against Union Omaha in the U.S. Open Cup a month ago.

Indy Eleven vs Monterey Bay FC - 13.05

Summary

- Opponent: Monterey Bay FC
- Location: Carroll Stadium
- Attendance: 9,101
- Final Score: 3-1 W

- Starting XI: Dick, Quinn (C), Herbert, Craig, White, Blake, Lindley, O'Brien, J., Mesanvi, Rendon, Okello

- Substitution: Barry 69' (Rendon); Williams 75' (Quinn), Kizza 75' (Okello)

- Unused: Charles-Cook, Neidlinger, Rasheed, Thomas

- Scoring Summary:
IND - Rendon 14' (assist Lindley)
MB - Lletget 51' (assist Glasgow)
IND - Blake 56' (unassisted)
IND - Mesanvi 68' (assist Herbert)

- Bookings:

MB - Garcia 25' (Yellow)
IND - Okello 32' (Yellow)
MB - Farnsworth 75' (Yellow)
MB - Blancas 82' (Yellow)
IND - Barry 83' (Yellow)
IND - Williams 87' (Yellow)

- Referee: Joshua Encarnacion

- Adage goals: None.
- Points Lost from Winning Position (Year To Date): 4

Thoughts and Opinions

Due to Indy consistently being in the Eastern Conference and Monterey Bay, unsurprisingly, always in the Western Conference, this was just the 5th time the two teams have met. It's been a short-lived match-up, but its been either all or nothing for the two teams. In the previous 4 games, the teams have split the series, with each team winning two games, one at home and one away. Tonight, was no different as Indy got on the board first, conceded, and then pulled away in the second half to get a 3-1 win in front of their fans on a perfect weather night for soccer.

As has become the norm for the start of USL league games, both teams stood around the center circle for the first minute of play as the players stand together with each other while the league continues to play without an approved Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). The teams similarly stood around the circle at the start of the second half, which has been going on for the last couple of games. At some point, the players are going to stop standing around in a silent protest for a couple minutes of each game and a player' strike seems like it will be an option that can't be avoided all season if a new and improved CBA can't be signed.

Monterey Bay and Indy came into the game at 24th and 25th in the league in possession, respectively. Something had to give. If I was a betting man coming into the game, I would have placed a large sum of money that it would be Monterey Bay that would hold the possession advantage in this game. That completely played out, but Indy's balls over the top to Rendon, Mesanvi, and Okello didn't provide a lot of possession, but did provide scoring opportunities. In the 14th minute, a ball through the lines from Lindley from the center circle that was perfectly placed for Rendon to run onto. Rendon one-touched the ball through the 5-hole of Delgado to open the scoring. Possession was 70/30 in favor of Monterey Bay at that point, but shots and shots on target were in favor of Indy. More importantly, the score was in favor of the home team. Coach McAuley and Indy Eleven continue to try and prove that a possession advantage is irrelevant if you can be effective with limited possession. Knowing the turf of Carroll Stadium doesn't lend itself to playing on the ground, McAuley has his team playing a style that suits the field and his players. OR maybe McAuley and the team leadership have started to find players that suite that style?

The teams play 90-minutes and the teams went into the halftime locker room with a four shots on target advantage to Monterey Bay's zero meant that Indy fans looked at each with knowing looks; "could this be the game where the team finishes out a lead and get a win instead of a draw?" Within 6-minutes of the start of the second half, the answer was quickly determined to be "maybe not." A very heavy touch from White dropped the ball into the path of Glasgow who put a ball across the 18-yard line to Lletget. Lletget took a touch to his right and put Monterey Bay's first shot on target out of Quinn's leg's reach and between Dick and the near post to bring the teams level. 

Photo: Don Thompson Photography

However... "Maybe?" quizzical looks were on the Indy fan's faces after Blake helped a ball across the line when a Delgado's reaction save on an O'Brien header from Quinn's corner kick popped up in the air begging for somebody to get a foot or head to it. Blake was the player in the right position and with his back to goal gave a mini-bicycle attempt to put Indy back in the lead in the 56th minute. With a laugh after being asked about back-to-back games with "bicycle-esque" attempts, Blake stated his son would never let him call it a bicycle. Regardless, Blake's poacher goal gave him the team record for goals and officially overtaking the King of the Poacher Goal, Eamon Zayed. Seems poetic that the numerous ways that Blake has found the goal, the one that gives him the team record is the exact same way that Zayed thrived on scoring goals for Indy.

Twelve minutes later, a goal kick that Herbert headed directly back in the direction of Delgado and into open space had just one player run onto it. Mesanvi's speed caught up to the ball, settled it, and put a ball through the 5-hole to give Indy a two-goal lead. 

"Surely we can win this one, right?"

Yes. Yes, we can.

Despite intense pressure from Monterey Bay at the end of the game to try and score, and an uptick in the physicality of the game that had been present all game, Indy's defense held strong. Indy didn't have another shot on goal after Mesanvi's goal, but they limited Monterey Bay to just two shots (only one of those on target) in that same timeframe despite the increase in pressure from the visitors.

Coach McAuley and Blake indicated that the team works on getting the 2nd and 3rd balls from set pieces after a restart (and I assume long balls over the top) and two of the three goals tonight came in that fashion. In all three goals, guys put themselves in the right positions to get goals and probably could have had a couple more if it hadn't been for a good save by Delgado on a Blake shot and a slightly better finish from Mesanvi.

There's no secret, even at this early part of the season, to the way Indy is going to play. Even against the 2nd worst possession team in the league, Indy conceded a ton of possession. What Indy does with their limited possession is going to be difficult for some teams to handle. I still think there are going to be bumps in the season, and there are going to be teams that aren't going to have any issues with Indy's style of play, but Indy hasn't been kept scoreless since the first game in Brooklyn and have scored multiple goals in 4 of the 6 games played. Indy put 67% of their shots on target tonight and had a 44% success rate on their crosses. Anytime a team has those kinds of numbers in front of the opponent's goal, they're going to give themselves a chance to be in the game. It's just been Indy's inability to close out some games that have kept them from, amazingly, being towards the top of the table.

Indy return to action next Sunday against a Birmingham side that have yet to win a game this season (as of this writing before they play Pittsburgh today).

Game Beckons Game Ball

Photo: Don Thompson Photography

While he topped the century mark awhile ago, tonight was Cam Lindley's 100th start for the team. His assist puts him in a crowded 3rd place in team history with Quinn and Asante. He also bypassed Brad Ring for minutes played for the team with Ouimette now in his sight for 2nd place. Assuming all goes well, Lindley will be bypassing Ouimette soon and a few games after that he will bypass Ayoze for games played. For what it's worth, he's also really close to bypassing Ayoze for 2nd most yellow cards (Blake is right there too), with Ring not far away too. It takes a lot to overtake those players, and the way to do it is the way that Lindley has done it; stay with a team for multiple years, stay healthy, and get playing time.

When I asked Coach McAuley to give Cam crap for his skyed shot from 20-yards away in the second half, Sean joked that he told Cam he went from "Pele to smelly" between his first half performance and that shot.

Photos - Don Thompson Photography

Indy Eleven vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds - 13.04

Summary

- Opponent: Pittsburgh Riverhounds
- Location: Carroll Stadium
- Attendance: 8,304
- Final Score: 1-1 D

- Starting XI: Dick, Quinn (C), Herbert, Craig, White, O'Brien, J., Lindley, Blake, Mesanvi, Okello, Rendon

- Substitution: Sing 82' (Blake)

- Unused: Charles-Cook, Barry, Kizza, Neidlinger, Rasheed, Thomas

- Scoring Summary:
IND - Blake 20' (Penalty Kick)
PIT - Goldthorp 90' (unassisted)

- Bookings:

PIT - Souza 36' (Yellow)
IND - Rendon 39' (Yellow)
IND - Okello 74' (Yellow)

- Referee: Matt Thompson

- Adage goals: One.
- Points Lost from Winning Position (Year To Date): 4

Thoughts and Opinions

Last season, Eric Dick helped Pittsburgh to their first Championship since entering the USL in 1999 by not conceding a single goal throughout the entirety of their playoff run, including 3 penalty kick victories. After returning to Indy for the 2026 season, Dick and the team have not been able to keep any of their league opponents off the board, conceding 4 goals in the previous 3 games (Indy did keep amateur side from Des Moines off the board for a clean sheet for Charles-Cook). Tonight, on a cold and wet evening, the Eleven looked like they were going to get that first league clean sheet, but a 90'+1' from Pittsburgh meant the two teams shared the points in a 1-1 draw.

Photo Credit: Don Thompson Photography

With 50-degree temperatures and a day full of rain, possessing the ball didn't seem to be either team's plan of attack. Indy had the best of the game in the beginning stages, but it quickly turned into a back-and-forth affair. Indy also chose to view every foul that was committed by Pittsburgh in Indy's offensive half of the field as an opportunity to push everybody forward for a Cam Lindley free kick delivery. Indy's pressure eventually led to a corner kick that led to a second corner. In the ensuing recycle of the ball after the initial delivery from Lindley, Josh O'Brien attempted to put the ball back on target. Instead the ball found the hand of Pittsburgh's Ahl and referee Matt Thompson immediately pointed to the spot for a penalty kick. Jack Blake in just his second game of the season, stepped up and calmly placed the ball down the middle as Campuzano dove to his left giving the home team a 1-nil lead.

Not surprisingly, Pittsburgh dominated the first half possession, but Indy made the most of their possession with a 8 to 5 advantage in shots. This is not going to be an Indy team that out-possesses their opponents, particularly on a night where the day's weather made the field wet. Playing out of the back was not going to happen for Indy tonight. Every mistake would be magnified with the slick field. Indy played to their field and player strengths and played balls long, took all free kicks as an opportunity to send players forward, and capitalized with the Blake penalty kick to send the home side into the halftime locker room with a lead.

Pittsburgh came out of the locker room and continued to tilt the field towards Dick and Indy's goal, looking for the equalizer. The final touch continued to evade the visitors, but the lead began to feel more and more tenuous. Indy's defenders continued to stay strong and reasonably organized, but it began to feel like they were playing dangerously with the wind picking up and going in the direction of Pittsburgh's attack.

It was believed that Blake was on a minutes limitation due his recovery from his back injury, but as the clock inched closer and closer to the 80th minute, it looked like the medical staff felt that the temperatures were enough to keep Blake from overexerting himself. They probably didn't bank on a player recovering from a back injury to attempt a bicycle kick. As a result, in the 82nd minute, Blake was replaced by Sing. Blake admitted after the game that the attempt was poor because the ball held up in the air longer than he expected, but indicated his back feels fine.

The tenuous nature of Indy's 1-nil lead came crashing to a halt in second half stoppage time when Pittsburgh's continued pressure finally found shot that Dick couldn't hold onto and the ball made its way to Goldthorp who made no doubt about his shot. It took until after the 90 minutes had elapsed, but Pittsburgh finally had their breakthrough goal to bring the teams level. 

For the second time in the early stages of this season, Indy have lost points while in a winning position. More concerning is that those goals have occurred in the 89th minute or later. Indy struggled to close out games last season because it was believed that their older average age faded at the ends of games. This year's younger and hungrier team seems to still be struggling with it too. Or maybe it's just a function of the other team having so much of the ball finally catches up to them at the end, independent of the average age of the team. Regardless, it seems like a problem that is going to need to get resolved. In the two lost points games this season, they have still managed to come away with some points, but this league isn't won by getting draws. 

Indy return to action next week against Monterey Bay.

Game Beckons Game Ball

Blake makes this team better. His presence was felt tonight even if the team didn't come away with the win. With his goal tonight, it's just a matter of time before he breaks the team's goalscoring record and surpasses Eamon Zayed. It's important to keep in mind that 11 of his 26 goals have come from the penalty spot (Zayed had 2), and that Zayed also did it in 2 seasons versus Blake's 4. Regardless of how and the duration it took to get there, it's impressive that Blake has done this from the midfielder position. Unless Zayed who was signed with the express intent to score goals, Blake was signed with the intent to facilitate from the midfield and the goals have been a secondary benefit.

When it happens, and it could happen soon, it will be a well-deserved honor. Blake makes the team better. Period. 

Photos: Don Thompson Photography

Indy Eleven vs Union Omaha - 2026 U.S. Open Cup

Summary

- Opponent: Union Omaha
- Location: Carroll Stadium
- Attendance: Literally dozens of people
- Final Score: 2-1 L

- Starting XI: Charles-Cook, Mitrano, Barry, Rasheed, Neidlinger, Thomas, Okello, Lindley (C), Gavilanes, Williams, Kizza

- Substitution: O'Brien 45' (Lindley); Quinn 45' (Okello); Dick 61' (Gavilanes); Rendon 67' (Thomas); Blake 67' (Williams)

- Unused: Herbert, Mesanvi

- Scoring Summary:
OMA - Owusu 75' (assist Gutierrez)
OMA - Tekiela 83' (assist Billhardt)
IND - Blake 90'+3' (unassisted)

- Bookings:

OMA - Kallman 50' (Yellow)
IND - Charles-Cook 59' (RED)

- Referee: JC Griggs

- Adage goals: None
- Points Lost from Winning Position (Year To Date): 2 

Thoughts and Opinions

The joys of Cup competitions and relatively random draws mean that Indy faced off tonight against Union Omaha in the U.S. Open Cup and will face off with them again in a month in the Prinx Tires USL Cup. The difference tonight is that Indy is playing 3 games in an 8-day stretch having traveled to Hartford this past weekend and will face visiting Pittsburgh this coming weekend, whereas the next time the two teams face each other, Indy will be working on a Sunday-Saturday-Saturday schedule. As a result, tonight's 2-1 win for Omaha doesn't necessarily mean anything next month, but Omaha will be happy to take the win that allows them to continue moving forward in the USOC while Indy sees their Cup journey come to a disappointing end.

The match notes from Union Omaha pointed out that Indy's average possession percentage is last in the Championship by a wide margin (35.9% to 43.4% for the next team above them), while The Owls' 58.7% ranks 2nd in USL League One. Maybe not surprising for the fans of both teams, that statistical category played out the same way in the first half (63%/37%), but Indy had more passes in the final third than Omaha. Which is a good reminder that where possession happens is as, or more, important as how much you have. Despite the plethora of corners (13 total; 9 for Indy, 4 for Omaha), the teams went into the halftime locker room deadlocked with 7 shots apiece, but with a nil-nil scoreline.

With a league game in play for Saturday, Lindley and Okello came off a halftime to be replaced by O'Brien and Quinn, respectively. By my unofficial records, Lindley is now just 2 minutes away from tying and 3 minutes from bypassing Brad Ring for Minutes Played to move himself into 3rd position in team history. 

For the second time in team history, an Indy goalkeeper was shown a red card and forced to make an early exit to the showers during an Open Cup game. Charles-Cook came out of his box to collect a bouncing ball, but made much more contact with the Omaha player than the ball. After some calming of Omaha players' anger, referee JC Riggs reached into his top pocket and pulled out his red card. Charles-Cook joins Evan Newton with the dubious distinction of a goalkeeper not being able to finish out a U.S. Open Cup game. Newton's red card came in 2019 against Lansing Ignite and gave Jordan Farr his professional debut. Indy managed to win that game.

Tonight however...

Fifteen minutes after Reice walked off the field, Omaha put themselves on top with a cross from Guiterrez that Owusu firmly headed passed Dick. With time winding down, and down a man, Indy had to try and get a goal while also not conceding another. Which they couldn't do. Indy conceded a second goal in the 83rd minute and all that remained after that was the final score. 

In his season debut, Blake scored a stoppage time goal to rob Jensen of his clean sheet, but Indy's 2026 U.S. Open Cup was short-lived. Just two years after making a semifinal run in the USOC, Indy had to back into even playing in this year's iteration and then proceeded to exit stage left by letting a USL League One team hang around and gain confidence. When Indy went down a man, Omaha (who has former Indy players Boudadi and Wooten on the roster and who played tonight) had the opening they needed to claw a result. 

I said there would be bumps this season. Tonight was one of those bumps.

Based on the lineups we've seen so far this season, tonight's starting lineup could be considered Indy's "B" squad (with a couple notable exceptions). When the club decided that they wanted to be younger and hungrier, the squad was filled with players who aren't much different in level than tonight's League One foe. If you look at it that way, it's not surprising that the game was as even, statistically, as it was and that Indy came out on the wrong side of the score.

Indy return to Carroll on Saturday to play a much stronger side when Pittsburgh comes to town. 

Photos - Don Thompson Photography