Indy Eleven vs Loudoun United - 12.19

Summary

- Opponent: Loudoun United FC
- Location: Segra Field
- Attendance: 2,413
- Final Score: 2-3 L

- Starting XI: Sulte, O'feimu, Hogan, Musa, O'Brien, J., Lindley, Murphy, Quinn (C), Blake, Williams, R., Foster

- Substitution: McRobb 67' (Blake); Amoh 67'; (Williams, R.); Neidlinger 76' (O'Brien, J.)

- Unused: Charles-Cook, Bryneus, Collier, Kizza

Scoring Summary:
IND - Musa 51' (assist Murphy)
LDN - Ordonez 63' (assist Valot)
IND - Amoh 78' (assist Lindley)
LDN - Ryan 82' (assist Tingey)
LDN - Ordonez 86' (unassisted)

- Bookings:

IND - Williams, R. 40' (Yellow)
LDN - Awuah 45' (Yellow)
LDN - Ordonez 74' (Yellow)
IND - Amoh 90'+3' (Yellow)

- Referee: Atahan Yaya

- Adage goals: Two.

Thoughts and Opinions

Indy have historically dominated the series, but this isn't the same kind of Loudoun team that Indy has faced in the past. The home squad was sitting in 4th place in the table when the night's games kicked off, while Indy was looking up at the playoff line. Neither team has been in spectacular form in their past 7 games with Indy having a 2W-0D-5L record and Loudoun with a 0W-3D-4L record. Loudoun was the team tonight that reversed their fortunes in a 5-goal second half to get a 3-2 win despite Indy holding a lead twice.

Half - Average Position

If you would like to see Indy hold a possession advantage, you haven't been watching Indy much this season. In league play, Indy have held the possession advantage just three times. Tonight was no different with Loudoun holding a 62/38% possession advantage (61/39% at halftime), as Coach McAuley arranged the team in a 4-4-2 lineup to keep everybody compact on the defensive side of the field. This isn't anything unusual this year, particularly on the road. Coach McAuley put the team in a position to keep Loudoun in front of them in defense and then try and work the counterattack. From Indy's perspective, Loudoun possession in undangerous areas is acceptable and permitted. However, Loudoun lived in Indy's defensive half of the field in the first half. All that possession in Indy's half allowed Loudoun to finish the first half with a 16 to 4 shot advantage, but somehow just a 3 to 1 advantage in shots on target. Indy's tactical style, particularly on the road, keeps Indy fans nervous, but it was effective in the first half.

Bend don't break. Punish the opponent when you get your chance, which is exactly what Indy did in the 50th minute from a corner kick. Murphy's delivery wasn't spectacular. Musa's header wasn't great. Loudoun's defense was worse. Indy did what the could in the first half to stay in the game and then found a lead. 

A lead that lasted just 12 minutes. Ordonez had been on the field for just 4 minutes when he found a shooting angle and opening to get the game back to level. 

A lead that lasted just 15 minutes. It took him a little bit longer than Ordonez needed to find a goal, but from a perfect Route 1 ball from Lindley, Amoh took a touch off his thigh to set himself up for a toe poke under Fauroux. 

A lead that lasted just 4 minutes. Loudoun responded with a goal from Ryan from close range to bring the home side back into the game.

A draw that lasted just 4 minutes. The end of the game became frenetic as both teams found opportunities and goals. The final goal of the game came from the second half sub, as Ordonez scored a brace by being a nightmare to defend in and around the goal. Sulte stopped Ordonez's first shot, but the ball deflected back to Ordonez who made no mistake with his second shot.

Full Time - Shots

An 86th minute goal left very little time for Indy to find a response. Even getting an 6 minutes of extra time, neither team found a shot on target after the final goal. McRobb had an opportunity from a corner kick, but his shot was well high of the goal. Loudoun held a 26 to 11 shot advantage and a 7 to 4 shot on target advantage, but the one that mattered most was that they had a 3 goal to 2 advantage. Indy held a lead twice and conceded each time. Indy bounced up and down over the playoff game as the game progressed, but finished the game in the same spot as when they started. If you've been watching the table, which I have been for several games now, and continued during this game, a Tampa Bay victory over Phoenix in one of the late (for Eastern time zone fans) games could push Indy further down the table as Tampa Bay would leapfrog three different teams to put themselves in a playoff position for the first time since Week 4. That's as much an indication of the closeness of the middle/bottom of the Eastern Conference as anything, but at this point in the season, every single negative result is making it that much more difficult for Indy to make the playoffs for a third year in a row, something they have never done in the history of the team. 

Indy don't have any time to lick their wounds as they have a midweek game at home in the Jagermeister Cup against Greenville Triumph before welcoming Miami to Carroll Stadium in a vital game to keep a tiebreaker in Indy's favor against another team that keeps hovering around the playoff line. Greenville is hovering around their own playoff line in League One so it's not like their the League One world beaters coming to Indy on Wednesday, but with a four-game skid for Indy (and losing 6 of their last 8), I have very little faith that Indy find a way to advance to the Jagermeister Cup semifinal.

The Game Beckons Game Ball

I don't like to give at least one player credit for having a good game, but where do you start? Literally the only play that stands out as a positive from all parties was the goal from Amoh and the assist from Lindley. Lindley's ball was perfect, Amoh's first touch and shot were perfect. Yet, are two touches in the span of 90+ minutes worthy of giving a GBGB? Williams and Foster had more offside calls than they had shots (on target or otherwise). Murphy and Musa's goal seemed to be more about poor defending from Loudoun than good soccer from the Indy players. Loudoun scored three goals and came back twice, so do any of the defenders really deserve it? I want to give somebody credit for a good game. I really do. I just didn't see any player that stood out as consistently playing well enough to get it. Maybe that's why Indy remains entrenched in a 4-game losing streak.

Indy Eleven vs Loudoun United - 11.31

Summary

- Opponent: Loudoun United FC
- Location: Segra Field
- Attendance: 1,787
- Final Score: 1-0 W

- Starting XI: Sulte, Stanley, Diz Pe, Ofeimu, O'Brien, J., Mines, Wootton, Lindley (C), Foster, Martinez, Williams, A.

- Substitution: Blake 63' (Foster); Collier 63' (Martinez); Musa 72' (O'Brien, J.); Neidlinger 88' (Williams, A.); Soumaoro 88' (Wootton)

- Unused: Oettl, Quinn

Scoring Summary:
IND - Musa 83' (assist Ofeimu)

- Bookings:

LDN - Johnston 16' (Yellow)
LDN - Martin (manager) 36' (Yellow)

LDN - Fauroux 53' (Yellow)
IND - Martinez 53' (Yellow)
LDN - Leerman 58' (Yellow)
LDN - Tingey 63' (Yellow)
IND - Mines 67' (Yellow)
IND - Diz Pe 85' (RED)

- Referee: Abdou Ndiaye

- Adage goals: None

Thoughts and Opinions

After conceding a late stoppage time equalizer on Saturday against Louisville City, Indy headed out on the road to Virginia to face Loudoun United, and in the process, eliminate the "game-in-hand" that they had on nearly every other team. It was also the second of three games in eight days, but the only game of the three against a team behind them on the table for one of the proverbial six-point games. A win would push Indy to 4th in the table by leapfrogging Rhode Island (who Indy hold the tiebreaker against) and Tampa Bay (who has a game-in-hand due to their game against Hartford being postponed due to Hurricane Helene). A draw or a loss would keep Indy in 6th place. As has been repeatedly stated in the last few weeks, the crowded middle of the Eastern Conference table means that every point is important.

First Half Heat Map (Indy going right to left)

With the quick turnaround in games, Indy made 6 changes to their starting lineup. I'm not sure why Lindley has fallen out of favor in the starting lineup in recent weeks (and didn't appear at all against Louisville), but it says something about Indy's roster when you can bring on a two-time top-of-the-league player like Lindley when games are this close together. The influx of different players into the starting lineup didn't seem to bother Indy's attack. Looking at the halftime stats, one might think that Loudoun had the better half. They held the possession advantage and the shots on target advantage. However, my eyeball test skewed everything to Indy's favor in the first half. They had the more effective possession in dangerous locations and more dangerous shots on target. Indy had one shot bounce off the post, a free kick that nearly snuck in before being parried away by Fauroux, and repeated opportunities from corner kicks. Regardless though, the teams went into the locker room with a nil-nil stalemate. The game had the feel that if Indy could put away their first goal, more would follow, but could just as likely have Loudoun score first forcing Indy to chase.

Neither of those things happened. 

What did happen though was that the two teams picked up yellow cards like they were prizes from Oprah. "You get a card. You get a card. You get a card." A total of 6 cards were shown in the second half, including Diz Pe picking up his second red card of the season, one game removed from having to sit from his first red card suspension. It was a terrible decision and was an obvious correct call. Diz Pe has been so good this season at minimizing his terrible mistakes, but Diz now holds the dubious distinction of being the club's leader in red cards.

Post-Goal Heat Map

Fortunately for Indy, that red card happened just minutes after one of Indy's numerous corner kicks finally saw the ball cross over the goal line. Ofeimu recycled Fauroux's poor punched clearance and Musa reacted first to send a gentle looping ball over the Loudoun keeper and defenders to break the deadlock. Indy's lead and Loudoun's man-advantage meant that the final 7-minutes of regulation and6-minutes of stoppage time predominantly took place in Indy's defensive half, but Loudoun couldn't find a shot on target in the waning minutes. Indy held on with good team defending to run the week's points to 4 out a possible 6. 

What also happened was Indy's chances of climbing the table into a playoff hosting position took a massive step forward. The win at Loudoun means that a win in Detroit on Saturday would continue to see Indy leapfrog teams into a first round playoff hosting position. While it keeps getting reiterated, every point is important right now, and the two points lost this past weekend against Louisville would have put Indy tied with Detroit on points. Given the red card late, Indy will take the three points and get back on the bus back to Indy and a current home playoff game within the realm of possibility.

The Game Beckons Game Ball

Augi continues to impress right now. Wootton and Lindley looked great in the midfield. But a late-game substitution defender comes on due to an injury and finds the game-winning goal in his 200th league appearance? Yeah, I have to reward Musa with tonight's GBGB. Well done.

Indy Eleven vs Loudoun United FC - 11.18

Summary

- Opponent: Loudoun United FC
- Location: Carroll Stadium
- Attendance: 9,672
- Final Score: 1-1 D

- Starting XI: Sulte, Ofeimu, Chapman-Page, Diz Pe, Stanley, Mines, Wootton, Lindley (C), Guenzatti, Williams, A., Martinez

- Substitution: Gibson 45' (Lindley); O'Brien, J. 45' (Diz Pe); Williams, R. 45' (Williams, A.); Collier 60' (Mines); Neidlinger 84' (Guenzatti)

- Unused: Oettl, Henderlong, Schneider

- Scoring Summary:
LDN - 58' Leggett (assist Awuah)
IND - 74' Collier (assist Gibson)

- Bookings:

IND - Chapman-Page 28' (Yellow)
IND - Williams, R. 46' (Yellow)
LDN - Ryan 63' (Yellow)

- Referee: Brandon Stevis

- Adage goals: None

Thoughts and Opinions

This game marked the first game of the second half of the season. After Indy's rough start, who would have thought that Indy would finish the first half of the season in 3rd place? Thanks to their continued success in the U.S. Open Cup, Indy was forced into a mid-week fixture against Atlanta United on Tuesday. Loudoun, contrarily, hadn't played since before the July 4th holiday. 

2023 Rankings Chart

While the differences in freshness might have been a factor, this isn't your older brother's Loudoun United. Around this time of the season last year, Loudoun cemented themselves out of the playoff race, finishing just ahead of Hartford. However, at the midpoint of the 2024 season, Loudoun is hovering just above the playoff line with very similar statistics as Indy, with similar goal totals (30 to 26 advantage to Indy), goals conceded (25 to 20), shots on target (82 to 85), shots faced (70 to 75), and with Loudoun having a better edge in clean sheets (3 to 6). Amazing what having a consistent group of players and not being treated like a secondary endevour to the "mother" team will do for an organization. There's still an entire half of the season to go, but the visitors entered this game on a 7 game undefeated streak.

Whether it was a result of having 3 games in 9 days in high heat and humidity, the game felt very underwhelming to me from Indy's perspective. It was interesting to hear postgame that McAuley had similar thoughts. The effort to get the win in Atlanta on Tuesday could have taken the legs out of them, but Coach McAuley said that it didn't look to be the case during training leading up to the game. It just felt like from my perspective that Indy's movement was just too slow. When Loudoun was in defense mode, they had 11 guys behind the ball. As Indy tried to break down that compact defense, the passes and decisions weren't quick enough. As a result, Loudoun was able to just shift back and forth when Indy was in possession and slowly moved the ball from left to right and back across the backline. Indy's offense was very predictable for much of the game.   

Photo Credit: Don Thompson

The notable exception to this was the infusion of Collier in the 60th minute. Whether by instruction or just his nature during this game, Collier made an effort to attack the Loudoun defense. After the game, McAuley reiterated something he (and his predecessors) have stated from time to time. Tactics are numbers on a whiteboard. Once the game gets underway, the game is so fluid that it comes down to player understanding of the goals, and individual effort. Indy, as a team, didn't have the effort in the first half. Collier, with his inclusion into the game, was all effort. His goal leveled the game, turning what was starting to look like a rare loss in Indy's recent run-of-form.

Indy, despite not playing their best game, still accumulated points. Indy haven't lost a game since before the U.S. Open Cup run started with the game aginst the Chicago Fire II. One loss in 16 games across all competitions after starting the season losing 4 of their first 6 games. With teams like Louisville, Charleston, and Tampa Bay playing the way they are playing, getting points is important. Tampa Bay moved ahead of Indy in the table thanks to their result, but Indy keeps everybody ahead of them in arms reach and helps keep the teams behind them behind them with the point.

For now, I'm going to blame the poor effort from the squad on the number of games in a short period, one of them against an MLS side, all in hot weather. However, it's interesting to note from the statistics that I keep that this game was Indy's 2nd lowest long pass percentage of the season. The lowest on the season? The loss against Orange County. I had previously praised the tactical change from McAuley over Lowry and Rennie in that trying to play "the beautiful game" with passes, possession, and picking apart your opponent may not be realistic at this level of soccer on these types of fields. Statistically, in the past two league games, Indy seem to be getting away from what has made them successful in this run, which has been to attack with longer balls, crosses into the box, and trying to take the Carroll Stadium turf out of play. Watching the team pass the ball around the back trying to break down Loudoun, I wondered if the change was game specific or an evolution of the team's tactics. One that hasn't worked in Indy in the past, and was close to not working for a second home game in a row. I love the "beautiful game" as much as the next person, but it might not be what works for Indy, in this league, in this stadium. 

Guess we'll find out more next week when Tampa Bay, and their roster full of former Indy Eleven players, come to Indy.  

The Game Beckons Game Ball

Sulte came up big a few times, helping keep Indy in the game, so I was inclined to give him tonight's GBGB, but Collier's individual effort was clearly the difference maker for Indy tonight. His goal salvaged what had been an underwhelming effort from the team, just 4 days removed from securing their place in the U.S. Open Cup semifinals. Collier came into the game and did exactly what you want second half substitutes to do when you're trailing. Bring a shot of energy into the attack and change the tenor of the game. Collier did both of those things.

Photographs - Don Thompson Photography

Indy Eleven vs Loudoun United - 10.27

Summary

- Opponent: Loudoun United
- Location: Carroll Stadium
- Attendance: 10,137
- Final Score: 2-1 W

- Starting XI: Trilk, Boudadi, Jerome, Diz Pe, Reveno, Blake, Lindley (C), Quinn, Velasquez, Martinez, Asante

- Substitution: Dambrot 45’ (Reveno); Guenzatti 45’ (Blake); Molina 68’ (Velasquez); Pinho 68’ (Martinez); Rebellon 86’ (Asante)

- Unused: Crawford, Vazquez

- Scoring Summary:
LDN – Williamson 1’ (unassisted)
IND – Quinn 73’ (Penalty Kick)
IND – Guenzatti 81’ (assist Asante)

- Bookings:

IND - Blake 22’ (Yellow)

IND – Asante 42’ (Yellow)

LDN – Landry 45’ (Yellow)

IND – Pinho 90’+4’ (Yellow)

- Referee: Brandon Stevis

- Adage goals: One

Thoughts and Opinions

As I mentioned after the Memphis game, Indy need to get points, preferably all three points, from every game against teams below them in the table. They also need the teams above them to take points from the teams below them to give Indy the best chance to make the playoffs. Getting to a top 4 place on the table to be able to host a game suddenly, and surprisingly given the up-and-down nature of this season, looks possible with a lot of math and results going for Indy, but their main focus just needs to be staying in a playoff position. Once the playoffs get started, where teams finished in the table becomes less important in a one-off win-or-go-home scenario. 

Indy needed to start this game strong so they could play this game they way they want to play; with possession and then put a team behind them on the table into predictable situations. It took all of 38 seconds for that plan to go out of the window as Loudoun scored another gifted goal when Diz Pe misplayed a ball allowing Williamson behind him and onto goal, which he slotted to the far corner past Trilk. In under a minute, the old Indy playing from behind scenario reared its head again.

After the goal, Indy held possession and had the bulk of the chances, but couldn’t break through. In the 27th minute, Loudoun had another break opportunity that looked like Jerome was going to get put into the spin cycle to set up a second goal. Jerome found his footing and the right angle and managed to poke the ball away to keep the team within reach. As the ball started back towards the Indy offensive side of things, Martinez was put in 1v1 against Koanda, who had a heavy touch. The heavy touch forced Jacomen to make a decision to come out of his box to help. Koanda and Jacomen bungled the interaction putting the ball behind Jacomen. Martinez had enough time to walk the ball in, but instead one-timed the ball directly into the side netting. Indy’s best, and clearest chance at that point, went harmlessly out for a goal kick. Indy had a few more good forays into the Loudoun box, but they were unable to make good on their effort and the teams went into the halftime locker room with the regular refrain of being down a goal and needing to chase the game in earnest in the second half on tired legs and minds.

Needing the points, and needing to spread the tired legs around, Dambrot and Guenzatti came out of the locker room during halftime to start warming up, signaling an immediate change after the break. They replaced Blake and Reveno to create a more attack-minded lineup in an attempt to change the scoreboard into Indy’s favor. The move is right in line with a Mark Lowry tactical adjustment when he thinks Indy are the better team and wanting to put the pressure on the opposition as soon as possible after the break to make a multiple game second half more feasible.

As the game neared the 60th minute, it felt like a goal was coming for Indy. Indy had tilted the field firmly in their direction and just needed the final touch beyond Jacomen. Attempt after attempt went wayward or was stifled by Loudoun’s defense or Jacomen. 

That is until the 72nd minute when Boudadi was taken down in the box. Up stepped Quinn who calmly put the ball to the left side of the goal while Jacomen went the opposite direction. The penalty kick goal puts Quinn tied with Ayoze for the club lead in made penalty kicks in just the span of 27 games. For whatever reason, Indy has been really good at creating penalty kick opportunities this season and Quinn’s ability to finish them has been exceptional. Quinn's ability to connect from the spot is impressive at this point. It's not like there isn't film on him taking them, and yet, goalkeepers continually guess wrong, or he's just that good at disguising his direction, or he's just that good at reacting to wherever he thinks the goalkeeper is going to guess. Whatever it is in the penalty kick chess match, goalkeepers have proven this season that they can't keep up with him.

The goal was officially from the spot, but it was a well-deserved goal for Indy resulting from the constant pressure they were putting on Loudoun. Once the game became level again, the game became wide open for the remaining 20 minutes. It was fitting this game was played at the Michael Carroll Track and Soccer stadium because it became a track meet in the closing minutes as Indy attacked trying to get the game winner, and Loudoun looked to counter with Indy so stretched. 

Indy found that game winner in the 81st minute when another Indy attack allowed Solo to dribble straight down the middle of the pitch towards the Loudoun goal, which drew defenders towards him. Asante laid the ball off to his right to Guenzatti who had just enough space between him and the defender that had stepped towards Asante, and then rocketed a shot between Jakomen and the post that was so close to the post that it kissed off of it before going into the goal. The goal completed Indy's third comeback for a win in three games (2 at ELP & 1 vs LDN).

After going down a goal within the first minute, Indy had found their game winner to keep themselves undefeated in 5 games and keep themselves in a good position on the table. If not for a 90’+8’ winner by Louisville against Oakland Roots, Indy would have found themselves in a 3-way tie (on points) for fourth place in the Eastern Conference (would have still be in 6th due to the tiebreakers, but to be even on points with Louisville and Memphis would be a huge boost to everybody’s confidence about the playoff push). With the injuries, the suspensions (Robledo missed this game due to his red card and Chapman-Page missed due to yellow card accumulation), and the defensive mistakes that have lost to dropped points in the early part of the season, the fact that 4th place is even a possibility is a testament to how this team has fought through diversity and are finally getting healthy and in form.

The undefeated streak moves to 5 games and Indy return to The Mike next Saturday to face yet another team below them in the table, with a chance to further separate themselves from the team's below them. Another win over Miami would give Indy the season tiebreakers, further helping their playoff push. 

The Game Beckons Game Ball

Goal scoring is great so it would be easy to give the GBGB to Quinn or Guenzatti. Jerome has also played at a much closer level in recent games to what I saw from him when I watched El Paso's games the past couple of seasons, so he would be a good one to give the GBGB. However, my eyeball test kept coming back to Boudadi. He was an absolute pest up the right side of the pitch, making the Loudoun defenders look silly, blowing by them, and looking like he felt he could do anything in this game. It was his attack on the Loudoun goal that set up the penalty kick. Coach Lowry indicated postgame that they were considering Boudadi as one of the second half subs, but that his confidence and what he was able to do on the field just made it difficult to take him off. For a "doing the dirty work" performance, Boudadi gets tonight's GBGB.

Additional Photos (Don Thompson Photography)

Indy Eleven vs Loudoun United - 10.08

Summary

- Opponent: Loudoun United
- Location: Segra Field
- Attendance: -
- Final Score: 2-1 W

- Starting XI: Oettl, Boudadi, Vazquez, Diz Pe, Dambrot, Blake, Lindley, Quinn, Asante, Martinez, Guenzatti (C)

- Substitution: Jerome 45' (Vazquez); Robledo 71' (Lindley); Tejada 82' (Guenzatti); Rissi 90'+5' (Asante)

- Unused: Trilk

- Scoring Summary:
LDN – ElMedkhar 6’ (assist Santos)
IND - Guenzatti 73' (assist Boudadi)
IND - Tejada 90' (assist Martinez)

- Bookings:

IND – Vazquez 30’ (Yellow)
LDN - Zanne 37' (Yellow)
IND - Dambrot 45' (Yellow)
LDN - Garay 45'+2' (Yellow)
IND - Lindley 56' (Yellow)
IND - Diz Pe 65' (Yellow)
LDN - ElMedkhar 70' (Yellow)
IND - Quinn 89' (Yellow)

- Referee: Danielle Chesky

- Adage goals: None (but just barely...)

Thoughts and Opinions

I didn't even have all of the pregame stats into my spreadsheets and graphics before Indy was already "chasing the game." It's been a common refrain this season. As in every game except for the nil-nil draw against Las Vegas and the 1-nil win at Detroit. However, this was the fastest they've put themselves in the position, but that only means that Indy was behind for more of the game. What hasn't been common is the opposing team winning the possession battle, but that happened in this game too. 

"Cause ain't no such things as halfway crooks!"

Yeah, you can tell me Indy had their chances, and that the game ended with the statistics close to each other for both teams, but Indy should have left Segra Field with another loss. They managed to hang around, received some good luck from some bad calls and decisions from the referee and assistant referees, and absolutely left Leesburg with 3 points that didn't belong to them. Indy need to get on the bus and then the plane, and get back to Indy as fast as they can thanking the fact that they weren't detained by the police for stealing. 

There's no way Indy should have gotten anything out of this game. Loudoun had a goal in the 62nd minute that was clearly in the goal that wasn't awarded. There was a touch/pass from Jerome that Oettl touched with his hand that should have been called a foul for an indirect free kick inside the box, and probably a red card on Oettl for stopping a clear scoring chance. Instead, Indy found an equalizer in the 73rd minute from a goal by Guenzatti that he snuck between the post and Fauroux. Then Tejada finally made a run by an Indy player that wasn't called back for offside and found himself one on one with Fauroux, that he nicely finished to solidify the theft. 

When you're struggling like Indy is right now to finish on the right side of their effort in games, whatever it takes to secure a win is appreciated, but Loudoun have a serious and deserved complaint about the result from this game. Indy stays on the road to face Sacramento next weekend before returning to The Mike in two weeks to face Colorado Springs. Maybe this win will catapult Indy to a  win against some Western Conference competition.

The Game Beckons Game Ball

Tejada did the most with his minutes tonight. He only had a couple of touches, but was clinical in his finishing, which has been an issue with Indy's forwards this year. He also managed to stay on side when his opportunity presented itself from Martinez's flick-on header, which is something that had been an issue with Indy's forwards this game (7 total...). So Tejada gets tonight's GBGB.

Indy Eleven vs Loudoun United FC - 09.30

Summary

- Opponent: Loudoun United
- Location: Carroll Stadium
- Attendance: 8,575
- Final Score: 1-0 W

- Starting XI: Trilk, Dambrot, Vazquez, Cochran, Timmer, Brown, Rebellon, Ayoze (C), Asante, Tejada, Pinho

- Substitution: Ingram 58’ (Dambrot); Jerome 58’ (Cochran); Arteaga 71’ (Ayoze); Aguilera 71’ (Tejada); Rivera 80’ (Asante) 

- Unused: Vostal, Revolorio

- Scoring Summary:
Ayoze 68’ (Penalty Kick)

- Bookings:

LOU – Landry 37’ (Yellow)

IND – Rebellon 41’ (Yellow)

LOU – Smith 44’ (Yellow)

IND – Training staff 61’ (Yellow)

IND – Arteaga 82’ (Yellow)

- Referee: Austin Saini
- Adage goals: None

Thoughts and Opinions

Before anything related to the game, I want to express my condolences to the Hankinson family after Coach Tim Hankinson passed away this past week after a fight with cancer. The Game Beckons family will keep the Hankinson family in their thoughts as they transition to life without Tim. Coach Hankinson was a good guy who always took time to answer questions from the grassroots media that were a major component of the press coverage during the Hankinson period of Indy Eleven. There are a lot of stories from supporters about their interaction with Coach Hank, and I’m no different. I remember a season ticket holder event and I wore a pair of red, white, and blue Adidas shoes, and Hankinson’s attention to detail meant that my shoes caught his eye in that they were the correct Indy Eleven color. It’s weird that the interaction stuck with me, but maybe it was because of how funny it was to me how detailed oriented he seemed and that he was that invested in Indy that he thought it was good that my shoes matched the Indy colors. Coach Hankinson brought the club their first, and only, trophy to date and he will always be remembered and revered for that fact. 

For the first time this season, Indy started the game knowing, officially, that they were unable to make the playoffs. Their opponent, Loudoun United, found themselves also playing in the same position as they too had been eliminated from the playoffs. Playing for pride and future roster spots was just enough to make this an interesting game, but maybe not overly exciting if you ask Coach. "Not happy with the excitement level of the game. I guess that's just par for the course it is right now, and neither team need to win that game." Loudoun United started teenagers, the youngest being Gavin Turner, who is a whopping 15-years old. Though a Sunday afternoon game when the Colts are playing Kansas City at Lucas Oil Stadium meant that not as many people saw the game as in recent weeks, but it was still a good crowd.

Indy had a couple of changes in their starting lineup, as Jerome started on the bench, and Hackshaw wasn’t included in the 18 due his international duty with Trinidad & Tobago. In their place were Cochran, who has only had one start in the previous nine games due to his hamstring injury, and Rebellon. Otherwise, it looked like Coach Lowry is looking to finish the remaining part of the season with all intent to finish as strongly as possible. Now that Indy has "a good enough squad now with players back from injury. McQueen wasn't involved tonight, he'll be involved on Wednesday. The subs will play, so we can, as long as we don't get any injuries or suspensions, we can get through the week fine with the amount of players we have right now." 

The first half was a back-and-forth affair with neither team capable of grabbing the game and putting their stamp on it and making it their own. Both teams had periods of possession and chances, but it was for short runs, and not for extended periods. As a result, the first 45-minutes ended with a couple of goose eggs on the scoreboard, but with a few yellow cards, one for Indy and two for Loudoun. Both coaches might have gone into the locker room simultaneously happy and upset with the play. Possession was about even. Shots were 5 to 3 in favor of Loudoun, with Loudoun credited with a single shot on goal, which wasn’t that threatening. So Coach Lowry was likely happy with that. However, Indy countered that by not having a single shot on goal on three shots. Coach Lowry was likely less happy with that statistic, despite some decent opportunities headed towards Loudoun’s goal. 

As a result, both teams came out after the halftime break with Loudoun making two immediate substitutions and stepped up their pressure. Both teams also made an adjustment to their tactics. According to Coach Lowry, "At halftime, they actually went from 2 sixes to 1 six, and then when we made changes, we went with a true #10 and 2 sixes. It kind of matched them up a little bit. Ayoze went to the 10 spot so he could press their 6 and then we're out to protect our space in front of the centerbacks with Justin and Same. So that was kind of a tactical little adjustment that happened during the 2nd half that I think helped us kind of keep the pressure on. The second half we were just good."

Yet it was Rebellon’s scissor-kick shot in the 55th minute that finally put a shot on target for Indy. After finally putting a ball on target and forcing Jacomen to make a save, Indy stepped up their own pressure and began to tilt the field towards their offensive third. By the end of the game, Indy doubled their shot output in the second half, bringing their total to 9, with 4 shots on target. All while limiting Loudoun to just two more shots and none on goal in the second half. If it were not for the pace of Loudoun’s second half substitute Zanne, Indy's pressure likely would have lead to more opportunities. As it was, an Ayoze attack (doing Ayoze things) directly at the Loudoun goal forced Zanne to get off-balance and run into Ayoze, knocking him down in the box for a penalty kick attempt. The 68th minute goal from the penalty spot by Ayoze would end up being the game-winner. 

Asante, Ayoze, Pinho, and Rebellon all use the full extent of their veteran experience to crumble like a house of playing cards when they feel pressure on their back. I would hate to play against them, but it often sets Indy up for good restarts and often bails them out of bad positions. However, in real-time, and even slowed down to 0.25x playback speed in the YouTube highlights, it does look like Zanne catches Ayoze's foot, causing him to trip. Loudoun players were not happy about it, but it looked like the correct call to me, partial spectator or not. 

Ayoze’s successful penalty kick was nearly his last action of the game as Arteaga replaced him just a few minutes later. It was good to see Arteaga back on the field and the injection of energy and effort that he brings to the squad. The second half subs were impressive from top to bottom. Arteaga, Aguilera, Ingram, and Rivera all increased the pressure on Loudoun with their pace and desire to stifle any of Loudoun's attack. While Loudoun managed to get some late shots, everything was going over-the-top to the forwards, who were finding tiny windows to get those shots or crosses. Indy would have liked to not have those shots and crosses, but most of them weren't on-frame, with Trilk finishing the game with just a single save and a clean sheet.

When asked what he liked most about the game, Coach Lowry had an extended pause, and then simply said, "We won." 

Coach was also asked about the goals for the rest of the season now that the playoffs are officially off the table. "Goal is to finish 8th. Finish unbeaten at home. We're four unbeaten, for wins in a row, get the next two games. Win them so we can start making this place a little bit of a fortress. ... Just try to keep the energy high and try to entertain the fans a little bit. The fans haven't been given a lot of success the past few years. There will be next year. I can guarantee you that." 

Indy have a long week ahead of them, with a trip to Atlanta United 2 on Wednesday before returning to The Mike next Saturday to play Tulsa. Obviously, the game against Atlanta should be a winnable game. If they do, that will put them ahead of Tulsa and into 8th place, in prime position to finish the season there if they can beat Tulsa on Saturday. With the final two games of the season being against Charleston and Birmingham, Indy would like to get at least 9 of those final 12 points to secure that 8th place. While not where anybody on Indy's staff or Indy fans wanted to finish the year, getting to that point will take some of the sting out of the 12 game winless streak by having Indy finish strong, and looking forward to next year.

The Game Beckons Game Ball

There were a lot of bright spots for me in this game, particularly compared to the previous game against Monterey Bay. However, Ayoze's dribbling and flawless penalty kick are going to push him to the GBGB for tonight's game. There were some moments when I wish Ayoze had continued to push the ball up the field to a streaking Timmer, but I'm seeing the field from the press box and not from his vantage point. Conversely, he made some spectacular cross-field passes to Pinho. And at 36 years-young, he continues to make other pros look silly as he dribbles his way out of 1, 2, and 3 defenders. Also, with tonight's effort, Ayoze now creeps to within 10 minutes (unofficially by my count) of surpassing Ouimette for the club's all-time minutes leader, and he leap-frogged Mares to sit in 4th place for Total Points. We don't know if the ageless wonder will retire this year or if he is in Coach Lowry's future plans for the team, but Ayoze is set to be the club's all-time leader in Minutes, Appearances, Starts, and Assists; is 4th for Points; is 6th for Goals (2 behind Mares), and is 2nd in Yellow Cards. Ayoze has written himself into the top of the club's entire record book. 

Photos (Courtesy of Don Thompson)