Indy Eleven vs Miami FC - 13.13

Summary

- Opponent: Miami FC
- Location: South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium
- Attendance: 611
- Final Score: 2-0 L

- Starting XI: Dick, Quinn (C), Barry, Rasheed, Neidlinger, O'Brien, J., Lindley, Blake, Mesanvi, Rendon, Okello

- Substitution: Omar 63' (Mesanvi); Sharp 63' (Okello); Williams, K. 71' (Blake); Kibunguchy 71' (Rasheed)

- Unused: Charles-Cook, Craig, Mitrano

- Scoring Summary:
MIA - 44' da Costa (assist Sonora)
MIA - 76' Locadia (assist Milesi)

- Bookings:

MIA - Sonora 74' (Yellow)

- Referee: Calin Radosav

- Adage goals: One
- Points Lost from Winning Position (Year To Date): 8

Thoughts and Opinions

It's no secret, and I have said it more than a few times on this site, that Indy's announced attendance are generously elevated from actual attendance. Miami's announced attendance was 611 and I'm not sure how you can argue that number from what was visible in the telecast. At one point early, it sounded like there might be some fans in the stands with organized chants (maybe some Indy fans?), but even they gave up the effort and the crowd noise became almost non-existent in this game.

Within the first few minutes of the telecast, the color commentary person (sorry, I missed his name) for the game called Indy's style of play "ugly." Let's call it pragmatic or calculated. Indy know their strengths and weaknesses and don't care too much about what you think is "beautiful" soccer. You want to win the possession battle, fine. You want to pass it around at midfield or in your half, fine. A win is beautiful. 

However you get there. Miami got there, Indy didn't, but I'm not as definitive as he was that it was because Miami had a prettier style of play.

As much as he wanted to describe Miami's style as prettier, Miami took a page out of Indy's book and after a good spell of possession from Indy, counterattacked quickly and found a goal right before halftime to give Miami the lead at the break. The second goal was the same. Locadia picked up a ball on a long break after a missed header in their defensive half and attacked the goal. Locadia put Barry on skates, cut the ball back in towards the middle of the field, and then curled a shot around Dick. Miami's goals were scored from the same "ugly" style that was given to Indy when the game started.

I understand that Miami is no longer the nearly guaranteed win that it used to be a couple of seasons ago, but Indy never really looked like they were going to win this game. The stats show that it might have been closer, but the eyeball test really put this one firmly in Miami's favor. Regardless of style. They just seemed like the team that might be able to do more with their style than Indy.

Indy gets a 2-nil loss from goals that utilized their style. The soccer gods are a fickle bunch. Indy have to take this loss and travel to Detroit on the weekend which is never an easy place to play. As was repeatedly stated during the broadcast, Indy still have games in hand on every team except for Rhode Island. The question now is whether Indy does enough with those games in hand or does the perpetual reshuffling of lineups due to injuries (Kibunguchy was officially signed yesterday and played 20 minutes...though to be fair, I had heard rumor of a signing last week) finally catch up with them?

Indy Eleven vs Miami FC - 12.20

Summary

- Opponent: Miami FC
- Location: Carroll Stadium
- Attendance: 9,942

- Final Score: 3-2 W

- Starting XI: Charles-Cook, Ofeimu, Hogan, Musa, Rendon, Murphy, Quinn (C), Blake, Foster, Amoh, Kizza

- Substitution: Lindley 45' (Murphy)

- Unused: Sulte, Bryneus, Collier, Hunsucker, O'Brien, J., Soumaoro, Williams, R.

Scoring Summary:
MIA - Bonfiglio 21' (assist Vazquez)
IND - Blake 45'+ (Penalty Kick)
IND - Hogan 51' (assist Lindley)
IND - Blake 69' (assist Foster)
MIA - Hoyos 90'+1' (unassisted)

- Bookings:

IND - Murphy 28' (Yellow)
IND - Ofeimu 35' (Yellow)
MIA - Romero 39' (Yellow)
MIA - Bonfiglio 72' (Yellow)
MIA - Knutson 77' (Yellow)

- Referee: Carlos Rodriguez

- Adage goals: One.

Thoughts and Opinions

Not surprisingly after looking like the lesser team Wednesday night in the Jagermeister Cup, Indy came out of the gates with energy. Getting reamed by your coach three nights ago will do that. Coach McAuley also showed his intent with a three forward lineup of Foster, Amoh, and Kizza. The energy and the adjustments worked as the Indy came out ahead with a 3-2 win, breaking their 4-game losing streak, on a night when Cam Lindley was honored for his 100th cap for the team.

Indy immediately put their intentions of getting a positive result out of the game with a header from Rendon that hit the crossbar and bounced just short of the line on the field side of the line instead of the goal side of the line. The near goal seemed to settle Miami. With both teams playing in a proverbial 6-point game, the game starting to become wide open. The back and forth eventually led to Miami getting on the board first on a counterattack after stopping Indy's counter. The ball found Vazquez in the middle of the field with acres of space in front of him. As Indy's defense retreated, Vazquez pushed a ball to his left as Bonfiglio ran from the right in front of him with Musa unable to keep up with Bonfiglio. The striker put his left foot through the ball over a lunging Musa and out of the reach of a diving Charles-Cook who got the start over Sulte. 

Blake put a spectacular volley on target to put the fear into Campisi and the post, but Campisi managed to get himself in front of the ball to push it away for what ended as a throw in. It looked like that might be Indy's last chance before the halftime whistle, but Indy was able to level the game in stoppage time. Kizza picked up the ball in the middle of the field with acres of space around him. Heard this before? With the Miami defenders retreating, Kizza put a ball out to the right to Foster. Foster put his head up and placed a perfect ball back on the left side in Blake's path. Blake took a touch which put him in front of the Miami defender who clattered into Blake inside the box setting up a stoppage time penalty kick. Blake went hard and to the left, which Campisi was unable to stop. The goal sent the teams the locker room even, which was probably a fair result.

Immediately after the break, Coach McAuley subbed out Murphy for Lindley. Sitting on a yellow with the way Miami was playing, McAuley felt like it was important to make sure the midfield was solid. After being honored pregame for his previous 100th appearance, Lindley made his coach look smart by putting a perfect free kick towards the 6-yard box. Hogan found his way around his defender to get his head to it to put Indy ahead early in the second half. 

Indy fans have learned this season that the game is still entirely in doubt with a one-goal lead. The team continued to push and eventually found a third goal, and the eventual game-winner, in the 69th minute as the ball found Foster in acres of space. There seemed to be a trend to the goals tonight. Foster started toward the goal but instead threaded a perfect pass through two Miami defenders that found Blake to his left. Blake took a settling touch to his left and blasted a shot passed Campisi for the team's third goal.

A two-goal lead. Still not safe.

Indy conceded a second goal to the visitors in the 90'+1' when a shot from outside the box looked like it deflected off of Ofeimu, which then hit the post before being pushed passed Charles-Cook by Hoyos. It's difficult to tell from the camera angles whether Hoyos was offside when the initial shot was taken, but it demonstrates the need for Indy to take the chances they're given. If they hadn't scored the third goal, we would be talking about another late-game collapse. Instead, the late Miami goal made the 6 minutes of stoppage time an anxious one for the fans, but the losing streak came to an end with a 3-2 win at home. It doesn't fix the disappointment from Wednesday, but it does help push the team back up over the playoff line and gives Indy the tiebreaker against Miami, which might come into play as the season winds down.

Indy return to Carroll next weekend for the year's first edition of LIPAFC as Louisville comes to town. 

The Game Beckons Game Ball

I may have been tough on Foster and his first half effort from Wednesday's game, but he was dynamic tonight. He didn't make it onto the scoresheet, but his effort tonight directly lead to two of the three goals. I've said it many times in this segment. It's not always the player that jumps out from the stat sheet. Blake, while clearly struggling at times lately to be the player we know he can be, scored twice tonight for a brace. Clearly that seems deserving, but I'm going to give Foster the edge because of what it meant to the team's goals and how it differed from what I feel we normally see from him. Foster is dynamic. He went passed Knutson in the 77th minute like Knutson was stuck in quicksand. With nothing left to do, he had to pull on Foster's jersey to prevent the attack. In real time, I thought there was an argument for a red card because Knutson stopped a scoring opportunity with no other defenders around. Being that dynamic and speedy with the ball causes fits for defenders. However, I have often thought that Foster holds onto the ball too long and tries to do too much. Tonight, Foster had his head up and found guys in better positions. With Foster's speed, sometimes doing the exact opposite is more effective. Tonight, that effectiveness gets him the GBGB.

Photos: Don Thompson Photography

Indy Eleven vs Miami FC - 2025 U.S. Open Cup

Summary

- Opponent: Miami FC
- Location: Carroll Stadium
- Attendance: 4,366
- Final Score: 1-0 W

- Starting XI: Charles-Cook, Ofeimu, McRobb, O'Brien, J., Stanley, Neidlinger, Lindley (C), Rendon, Collier, Soumaoro, Amoh

- Substitution: Kizza 64' (Soumaoro); White 64' (Neidlinger); Bryneus 76' (Amoh); Foster 89' (Collier); Hogan 90' (Bryneus); Sulte 120' (Charles-Cook)

- Unused: Quinn

Scoring Summary:
IND - White 120+3' (assist Lindley)

- Bookings:

IND - Neidlinger 5' (Yellow)

IND - Soumaoro 27' (Yellow)
MIA - Gavilanes 42' (Yellow)
MIA - Cardona 42' (Yellow)
MIA - Knutson 51' (Yellow)
IND - Ofeimu 61' (Yellow)

- Referee: Colin Radosav

- Adage goals: None

Thoughts and Opinions

Despite making it to last year's U.S. Open Cup semifinal game, Indy Eleven joined the 2025 edition in the same round as the rest of the 2024 top tier USL Championship teams. I guess the reward for being a semifinalist is all monetary. The good news for Indy was that they did finish in the top 16 of last year's league standings, and were also awarded hosting duties for this game. Home or away, this is tournament soccer and the name of the game is win. 

Or survive and advance. 

Which is what Indy did with a 1-nil victory over the visitors from Miami, thanks to a late stoppage time, 120'+3' goal from Hayden White on Indy's 14th corner kick of the game. Cam Lindley put a ball towards the 6-yard box and for one of the few times all game, Miami goalkeeper Bill Hamid didn't come off his line to grab the ball, and White headed the ball past the former MLS and National Team goalkeeper.

Photo Credit: Don Thompson Photography

Indy faced off against fellow USL Championship foe, Miami FC, who Indy already faced a month ago in their first game of the league season, when Indy scored 3 goals in the first half to fly out of Florida with a 3-1 victory. At that point, and at least a couple times since that game, Coach McAuley indicated that the Miami of old would not be the 2025 Indy once they put some more time together under their belt. A month later and Coach seems to know what he has been talking about. Miami came into the game with their first victory of the league season, a 2-1 road win at San Antonio, breaking a 12-game losing streak dating back to last season. This is the Third Round of the USOC, and Miami had to get involved in the tournament during Round One due to the poor performances last year, which means that they made it to Round Three by beating their first two USOC opponents, Naples United FC (4-1) and Inter Miami CF II (1-0). So this Miami team may not be the doormat this year that teams have come to expect was a win in previous seasons. 

Through various discussions, it sounded like Coach McAuley had been planning to do some squad rotation due to the Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday games this week. Indy did not play this past weekend due to the field conditions in Hartford, but the squad still made the trip. Even though the players didn't have minutes on their playing legs, they did have minutes on their travel legs, so Coach McAuley continued with his plan of squad rotation. Miami, contrarily, fielded much the same lineup that they used in their league game against San Antonio.

Indy's squad rotation players came out of the gate with apparent directions from McAuley to press, press hard, and press fast. He must have also told them to send as many passes forward as possible. In the early stages, Indy created a number of half chances, with their main issue being the final touch or putting balls close to goalkeeper Bill Hamid, who was quick to grab crosses out of the air and came up with a couple of good saves or recoveries. Indy's frenetic start lead to a couple of early yellow cards and more than one loose pass and giveaway or long clearance that might not have needed to be blasted so far up the field, but each time the other members covered for the mistake. The pace also forced Miami into their own fair share of mistakes, as Miami struggled to keep possession, and did very little in Indy's half of the field.

Despite the one-sided offensive effort for Indy over Miami, the two teams walked into the halftime locker room with a nil-nil draw. Coach McAuley might have been upset with the score, but he couldn't be upset with the effort. If you're processed-based, the process looked good for all of Indy's attack, with the exception of needing to be more clinical around goal. If you're results-based, which this sport requires, the results weren't there in the first half. For Miami, they went into the locker room feeling fortunate to still be tied, knowing that they were an Indy mistake away from leading the game. Indy had 13 touches inside Miami's box, while Miami could only muster 4, most of which happened in the late stages of the half. Indy led the shots and shots on target 7-2 and 1-0, respectively, but Miami did hold a slight edge in possession. As continues to be a discussion point, where that possession occurs is important and Miami's possession was mostly in non-threatening areas. 

Photo Credit: Don Thompson Photography

One of those chances for Miami that could have undone all of Indy's good effort came in the 54th minute when Veron put a dipping ball on frame that Charles-Cook had to parry over the crossbar to keep the score even. Indy began to play a bit too loose with the ball allowing Miami to start the second half in a much better way than Indy. Then it turned into a track meet in both directions as the game became wide open. It's difficult to say who was in control during the bulk of the second half as neither team possessed much nor had many good chances on target. Neither team could get a breakthrough goal and the ninety minutes of regulation finished in a nil-nil stalemate. 

Extra time devolved into an even further wide open affair with a lot of balls being sent over the midfielders from defenders to forwards. If you like possession-based soccer, this game wasn't for you. This was a game of will and effort and who could find a breakthrough to separate the teams. In the end, it was the Indy fans that went home happy thanks to a game-winning header from White in the 120'+3', which by my records is the latest goal scored by either team in the men's team history. Indy have made a habit of taking USOC games to extra time (plus one playoff game). In the team's history, nearly 25% of the USOC and playoff games have required extra time. The previous latest goal scored was in 2015 when a NASL-era Indy Eleven took on a "lower division" Louisville City team in the U.S. Open Cup only to watch Louisville score two adage goals in the 115th and 119th minute to send Indy out of the tournament. 

2014 USOC - Columbus Crew (2-1 loss) GA 114'

2015 USOC - Louisville City (0-2 loss) GA 115', GA 119'

2016 USOC - Chicago Fire (1-1 draw, lost in Penalty Kicks) GF 105'; GA 111'

2019 Playoff - Louisville City (1-3 loss) GA 94', GA 113'

2023 USOC - Michigan Stars (3-1 win) GF 92'; GF 106'

2025 USOC - Miami FC (1-nil win) GF 120'+3'

In a good indication of Indy's depth, Coach McCauley made 9 changes to the lineup from the last league game, 4 players were making their season debuts, and others played more minutes tonight than they have all season combined. To get the win against an improving Miami team that trotted out nearly the same lineup as the team that took down San Antonio in San Antonio is a good sign that Indy might be able to weather some of the frequent injury bugs that this team has seen in the past.

Indy return to Carroll Stadium on Saturday to play Charleston, by which time they will know how they face in the next round of the U.S. Open Cup when the MLS teams join the fray. EDIT: Indy will go on the road to face the Philadelphia Union on May 6th or 7th. 

The Game Beckons Game Ball

First thing. Two guys get GBGBs tonight. 

This game doesn't get to a 123rd minute goal without the 6 saves that Charles-Cook made. There were at least two saves that looked to be definite goals, the second one of which was a long-range blast that looked destined to find the upper 90 of the goal. Charles-Cook's parry managed to push the ball off the crossbar and keep Indy alive. In the dying minutes of the stoppage time, Reice was subbed out for Sulte, who would have had minimal touches before what looked like definite penalty kicks. When I asked Coach about this logic, he stated that it was a goalkeeper coach and goalkeepers decision to have Sulte take the penalty kicks. I assume those three people had determined during training sessions that Sulte's instincts (or 6'7" frame) were better during spot kicks than Charles-Cook. Fortunately for all, White made the substitution a non-issue, but that still doesn't detract from the game that RCC played and the team's first clean sheet on the season. 

Photo Credit: Don Thompson Photography

Second, Cam Lindley looked like a man possessed. He looked like he was trying to show that he's still the player that was all league just two seasons ago. He completed more passes and had more touches than any of his teammates; he had more than double the number of passes in Miami's defensive third; and he was tied for second in shots, chances created, and crosses attempted. Maybe more telling though of his effort tonight was that he had 5 tackles won, and the next highest players had 1. His assist on the goal moves him to sole possession of 6th place in men's team history for assists, one away from Justin Braun. Lindley showed his leadership, skill, and team-first mentality tonight, and reminded me why I personally like him as a player. Plus, is there a player on this team that can pick out a cross field ball better than him? I don't think so. GBGB #2 goes to Cam.

Photos - Don Thompson Photography

Indy Eleven vs Miami FC - 12.01

Summary

- Opponent: Miami FC
- Location: South Dade Kia Field at Pitbull Stadium
- Attendance: 1,027
- Final Score: 3-1 W

- Starting XI: Sulte, White, Stanley, Hogan, Musa, Rendon, Quinn (C), Murphy, Blake, Kizza, Foster

- Substitution: Neidlinger 45' (White); Bryneus 58' (Rendon); Amoh 71' (Blake); Lindley 71' (Quinn); O'Brien, J. 82' (Kizza)

- Unused: Charles-Cook, Ofeimu

Scoring Summary:
IND - Blake 3' (Penalty Kick)
IND - Quinn 18' (assist Kizza)
IND - Hogan 35' (assist Blake)
MIA - Hoyos 65' (unassisted)

- Bookings:

MIA - Celeste 67' (Yellow)
MIA - Romero 90'+1' (Yellow)

- Referee: Elvis Osmanovic

- Adage goals: None

Thoughts and Opinions

After watching the league's start to action at home during a first week bye week, Indy Eleven finally took the field against Miami FC in front of dozens of fans, including a small contingent of Indy Eleven fans, in a stadium that seats 23,500 on the campus of Florida International University. Indy Eleven rewarded those traveling fans with a 3-1 victory.

It may be a new season, with some new players, but Indy Eleven wasted no time taking the game to Miami FC who two games into the 2025 season are looking to be the same old Miami, despite a massive change in their roster from last season. After Musa was taken down in the Miami box on a corner kick recycle, Jack Blake calmly put a third minute penalty kick to his left while former MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and USMNT player Bill Hamid went in the opposite direction. Looking sharp in the new red and blue kits (red jersey, blue shorts, blue socks), Indy had an early 1-nil lead. Quinn scored 7 penalty kick goals in 2023 so it says a lot that Blake stood over the ball to take the kick. Quinn is the captain and can clearly convert a penalty kick, but there must have been something in training to give him confidence that Blake was the right one to be taking the shot.

So it was fitting that Indy doubled their lead from another corner kick just 15-minutes later when Kizza found an on-rushing Quinn, who blasted the ball low and, again, to the left side of the goal. Quinn still got his goal, he just got it in the run-of-play. 

Indy added a third goal in the 33rd minute from a free kick on the left side of the field that Blake put into a dangerous spot on the six-yard box that Hogan redirected past Hamid. Coming into this season, Coach McCauley has said that he would like to see Indy on the ball more than they were last season. Indy finished the game on the losing side of the possession battle, but getting three goals from set-pieces will surely take away some of his frustration of not quite achieving the desired possession goal.

Indy's early and 3-goal halftime lead may have caused a bit of complacency in the second half, and they took their foot off the gas. Miami's possession advantage eventually led to a 65th minute goal from second-half substitute Hoyos who came off the bench with a ton of energy. When he received the ball near the 18-yard line, a handful of Indy defenders were nearby, but nobody stepped close or fast enough, and Hoyos blasted the ball out of the reach of an outstretched Sulte. For a team that struggled to a negative goal differential last year like Indy, keeping a clean sheet in the first game after dominating the first half would have been the perfect way to start the season. One win from one game is a good start though to what Coach McCauley hopes is an improvement to last year's team. 

Announced attendance was as just over 1,000. However, from the television feed, and the mortuary-like silence that permeated much of the game, particularly after Indy went into the halftime locker room with a 3-nil lead, my "dozens of fans" joke was a slight exaggeration. In a stadium that seats more than 23,000 people, 1,000 fans can barely feel like it pays the cost of turning on the lights. Lower division soccer in the United States is rarely a money-making endeavor. However, Miami FC's perpetual low attendance really makes you wonder how they stay in the league. There seems to be little possibility that they are ever making any money. Miami FC owner Riccardo Silva must be using his profits from his ownership share in AC Milan to fund this passion project in the U.S. As the USL moves towards a First Division league in the upcoming years, without a potential for promotion/relegation being discussed at some point, Miami is going to need to figure out how to get fans in the stands and positive results on the field, or Silva's money will no longer be enough to keep his team in the Championship (though his team is also one of the few teams capable of immediately playing in the First Division league) and he will find no choice but to be relegated. That's likely many years away, but Indy's victory tonight in Miami gives the team a 10-game losing streak and brings their loss total to 31 over the last two seasons, despite a change in the roster.

Indy seems to be on a slightly better path as an organization, despite some issues with the Mayor of Indianapolis taking over Eleven's direct path to a stadium in an attempt to be awarded an MLS franchise. With so much out of their hands at the moment, the thing they can do is play good winning soccer. One game down. One game of good winning soccer.

It warms my  heart to see the Boys in a kit that isn't solid color from head to toe. This year's away kit with the red jersey that uses blue checkers at the bottom to transition to the blue shorts and socks is so nice to see. I have been clamoring for awhile to bring back the mixed kits that have been used in the past and I'm glad to see this iteration of the kit. 

Good first game. Next week, the team heads off to Lexington who have started their Championship campaign undefeated, having scored 4 goals in two games.

The Game Beckons Game Ball

I think there's a few players that deserve the GBGB, but I'll give Quinn the edge tonight. He stepped back and let a teammate take the first penalty kick of the season, and was rewarded by still getting a goal of his own that turned out to be the game-winner. 

Indy Eleven vs Miami FC - 11.29

Summary

- Opponent: Miami FC 
- Location: Carroll Stadium 
- Attendance: 10,145
- Final Score: 4-0 W

- Starting XI: Sulte, White, Ofeimu, Diz Pe, Stanley, Soumaoro, Quinn (C), Blake, Foster, Williams, R., Williams, A.

- Substitution: Martinez 54' (White - injury); Collier 72' (Williams, R.); Neidlinger 72' (Foster); Wootton 72' (Quinn); Lindley 90' (Soumaoro)

- Unused: Oettl, O'Brien, J.

- Scoring Summary:
IND - Blake 62' (penalty kick)
IND - Williams, A. 73' (assist Collier)
IND - Williams, A. 84' (assist Neidlinger)
IND - Williams. A. 86' (assist Collier)

- Bookings:

MIA - Gavilanes 25' (Yellow)
MIA - Nocerino (manager) 26' (Yellow)
IND - Quinn 42' (Yellow)
MIA - Knutson 60' (Yellow)
MIA - Ndiaye 77' (RED)
IND - Diz Pe 77' (RED)
IND - Williams, A. 87' (Yellow)
IND - Soumaora 87' (Yellow)
MIA - Palacios 90'+1'

- Referee: Matthew Thompson

- Adage goals: None

Thoughts and Opinions

Look, let's be honest. This was a game that Indy had to win. Miami is bottom of the table and the only team in the league to be eliminated from playoff contention. The compact nature of the middle part of the Eastern Conference table means that every single game the rest of the way is important to get as many points as possible. Against a team like Miami who has struggled to a -42 goal differential, that meant three points. Yet, wet weather conditions allows for anything to happen. Balls can skip strangely. Players can slip unexpectedly. Easy passes become difficult to handle. Indy needed to be disciplined defensively, and try for an early goal to make Miami feel like they were out of the game.

Halftime Heat Map

Indy couldn't do that in the first half. While Indy spent the majority of the first half with the ball (60% to 40%) and the majority of that time in Miami's half of the field, Indy couldn't find a breakthrough to make the game easier on themselves. Miami did almost nothing with their limited possession, Indy also couldn't break down the deep block that Miami was creating. As has been seen multiple times over the years, if you let a team hang around, anything can happen at the end of the game, particularly when the weather and field conditions were as wet as was seen tonight.

Indy didn't care how they scored a goal, they just needed to find a way to make all of their efforts in Miami's half count. Eventually, Foster found himself just inside the Miami box ready to take a shot when Knutson clattered into him to send Foster to the ground and Jack Blake to the penalty spot. Blake made good on his 6th penalty kick of the season, and just after the 60th minute mark, Indy had the goal that they needed to reward themselves for their effort. Blake's goal also gave Indy their 9th season in a row with a double digit scorer (across all competitions). 

Less than 10-minutes later, the game went to the ticket booth and bought a one-way ticket to Crazy Town. In the 72nd minute, Coach McAuley made his first non-injury substitutions, bringing in Collier, Neidlinger, and Wootton. A minute later, Collier found an on-rushing Augi Williams, who took a touch towards the endline and from a tight angle, pushed the ball past Ndiaye. The goal gave Indy a bit of breathing room, knowing that a weird bounce on a Miami attack might not lose the point for Indy. A couple minutes after that, Indy was awarded a corner kick. During the ensuing corner, Ndiaye and Diz Pe became tangled in the air and to the ground. Upon standing, Ndiaye put a boot into Diz Pe's thigh. Instead of writhing in pain on the ground knowing the assistant referee was watching, Diz Pe got up and retaliated with a forceful shove to Ndiaye's chest/neck area. When the mud settled, both players were shown red cards. Amazingly, Diz Pe's red was Indy's first red card of the season, but it came at a poor time; not so much in this game, but it means that he won't be available for next week's game against league-leading Louisville City. Combined with the other injuries (Chapman-Page, Guenzatti, King, and potentially White depending on the severity of his injury tonight), Diz Pe's absence next week could be a big deal.

As the game began to wind down, a two-minute stretch solidified the win as Indy scored two more goals, both from Augi Williams. Goals number 3 and 4 on the night gave Indy their first hat trick since 2022 and just their fifth hat trick in the men's team's history. Club legend Eamon Zayed still holds the men's club record with 2 hat tricks, but not even he was able to acquire his hat trick within a 13-minute timeframe. 

What was a scoreless draw 60-minutes into the game somehow turned into a 4-nil laugher. Indy needed a win. Indy deserved a win. Indy achieved a win. The +4 goal differential also managed to bring Indy back to even on goal differential for the year. Indy return to The Mike next week to face Louisville City and will want to see a better result than the previous meeting between the two teams earlier this season and to keep themselves in the discussion for an opening playoff weekend home game. At the time of this writing, places 3 through 7 in the Eastern Conference table is separated by just 4 points. Every game and every point is going to matter coming down the stretch. 

The Game Beckons Game Ball

This game's GBGB is easy. When you score a hat trick in a 13-minute timeframe for just the club's 5th hat trick in club history, it's an easily decision to give Augi Williams the GBGB. Augi joins Zayed and Arteaga to score league hat tricks for the club (Zayed in the NASL, Arteaga in the USL Championship), and Blake Smith who scored Indy's first hat trick in a 2014 U.S. Open Cup game against the Dayton Dutch Lions. Combined with his goals in this year's Open Cup, Augi's hat trick also gives him the team lead in goals, surpassing the other goal score in the game, Blake. 

Indy Eleven vs Miami FC - 11.10

Summary

- Opponent: Miami FC
- Location: FIU Soccer Stadium
- Attendance: 1,004
- Final Score: 3-1 W

- Starting XI: Oettl, Ofeimu, Chapman-Page, Diz Pe, Stanley, Gibson (C), Mines, Wootton, Guenzatti, Martinez, Williams

- Substitution: O'Brien, J (15' (Chapman-Page - injury?); Boudadi 45' (Mines); Lindley 56' (Gibson); Collier 56' (Guenzatti); Blake 77' (Wootton) 

- Unused: Sulte, Schneider

- Scoring Summary:
IND - Diz Pe 41' (assist Stanley)
MIA - Luisinho 56' (unassisted)
IND - Williams 67' (Penalty Kick)
IND - Williams 70' (assist Stanley)

- Bookings:

IND - Gibson 3' (Yellow)
MIA - Cardona 19' (Yellow)
MIA - Lopez 31' (Yellow)
MIA - Mitrano 45'+1' (Yellow)
IND - Lindley 61' (Yellow)
IND - Williams 90'+2' (Yellow)

- Referee: Muhammad Hassan

- Adage goals: None

Thoughts and Opinions

If Indy fans came into the season looking for consistency in a starting lineup, they have been disappointed. Indy, once again, trotted out a different lineup today against Miami FC, with both Lindley and Blake starting on the bench, with Mines and Wootton getting starts in their place. Also notable given his recent run-of-form, Sulte found himself on the bench as well, giving Oettl his first start in 4 games. The starting lineups also had a feel of "same name, different jersey" as Indy started four different players that were recently on the Miami FC roster (Stanley, Chapman-Page, Mines, and Ofeimu), while Miami started recent Indy Eleven player Danny Barbir and Molina came into the game at the half. 

The early stages of the game were very disjointed. Plenty of fouls (23 total in the first half) and stoppages for "injuries" from physical plays made the game feel like the kind of game were the number of yellow cards could reach near double digit level. Gibson started the yellow card proceedings with an unnecessary tug of a jersey in the 4th minute and it only proceeded from there. Both teams had arguments for additional yellow cards, but the teams went to the locker room with a total of just four yellow cards (three for Miami, and just the one early one for Indy). 

Indy settled into the game with the better chances in the first half, and Williams had some opportunities to get the goal scoring started, but seemed to be off with his shots, sending 3 of Indy's 8 shots in the direction of the goal, but his shots never felt that threatening as he was leaning back in his shots or from awkward angles. It wasn't until the 41st minute that a corner kick from Stanley that found the head of Diz Pe to get the scoring started. The teams headed to the locker room with Indy leading in nearly all the statistical categories, but most importantly, on the scoreboard.

Both teams made substitutions coming out of the locker room, and Indy nearly doubled their lead within the first 5 minutes, but Williams' yips continued after the break. Boudadi, who came on for Mines, intercepted a pass and put a perfect cross in front of goal that Williams bobbled, then left footed the ball wide of the goal from within a few yards of the goal.

Immediately after Indy made more substitutions for the night in the 57th minute, there was a play in Indy's box where Diz Pe was fouled by Lopez. The foul wasn't called and the ball trickled to Luisinho who scored past Oettl. Indy very rightly felt aggrieved by the lack of non-call on Lopez, but it looked like Williams' inability to get a goal was going to come back to haunt them. 

A few minutes later, Lindley was forced to pick up his third yellow card of the season on a professional foul, but he laid into the rest of the Indy players for their lackadaisical defending that forced him to make that foul. Within 6-minutes, Indy found yet another "ball don't lie" moment this season when Boudadi was taken down in the penalty box, forcing the referee to point to the spot. For all his wayward shots up to that point, Williams calmly stepped up to take the penalty kick and sent Gagliardi the wrong way to  restore Indy's lead.

Three minutes later and Stanley continued his fine assist form and put another ball into the path of Williams who redirected it into the Miami goal. Once Miami found themselves down two goals, the rest of the game played out with a professional approach from Indy with solid defending and Miami struggling to put shots on target. Oettl was credited with just a single save, as Miami's shots were rarely on target and some were barely in the vicinity. 

The yellow card total settled down, but still finished at six for the game. There were 36 fouls called on the game, so the weather seemed to tire the players enough to take some of the physicality out of the game. Though the spread out nature of the closing minutes could have been a part of that too as the players weren't in as tight of quarters.

Indy are now on a 6-game undefeated streak across all competitions (and 4 in league play) and head home to The Mike this coming weekend to play Hartford. While the teams around them have game(s)-in-hand, the win also catapulted Indy into fourth place on the table. Given the way that they started the season, it's been an impressive run from Indy recently.

The Game Beckons Game Ball

I know I was a bit critical of him at times in this article, but Williams accounted for 9 of Indy's 17 shots, which was 1 more than the entire Miami team had with 8 shots. While I think he would agree that if he was a bit more clinical (at least two of his shots should have been handled better), this game wouldn't have even been close. For now though, a brace and the effort to try and make a difference edges him for tonight's GBGB over Stanley who finished with SEVENTEEN crosses and 6 chances created. Outside of Blake, Stanley has been the most consistent offensive weapon and he nearly picks up tonight's GBGB as a result. 

Indy Eleven vs Miami FC - 10.28

Summary

- Opponent: Miami FC
- Location: Carroll Stadium
- Attendance: 10,175
- Final Score: 1-0 W

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

- Substitution: Rebellon (Dambrot 76'); Pinho (Velasquez 76'); Vazquez (Diz Pe 77'); Robledo (Blake 85'); Reveno (Asante 90'+6')

- Unused: Walker, Molina

- Scoring Summary:
IND – Guenzatti 72’ (assist Boudadi)

- Bookings:

MIA - Segbers 20’ (Yellow)
IND - Boudadi 27' (Yellow)
MIA - Salazar 33' (Yellow)
MIA - Akinyode 36' (Yellow)
MIA - Stanley 88' (Yellow)
MIA - Neal 89' (Yellow)
IND - Robledo 90'+2' (Yellow)
MIA - Craig 90'+3' (RED)
IND - Quinn 90'+9' (Yellow)

- Referee: Elijio Arreguin

- Adage goals: None

Thoughts and Opinions

Photo Credit: Matt Schlotzhauer

In a week where the temperatures were relatively reasonable for late August, temperatures increased again for gameday to the point where first and second half hydration breaks were required. The heat slowed the game at times as players tried to make it through the game. Players, particularly towards the end of the game, routinely took every chance they could to stretch out calves trying to stave off the impending cramps and grabbed water whenever they could. One of those that that couldn't make it through the night due to an apparent, and hopefully minor, injury was Diz Pe. However, before he made way for Vazquez in the 77th minute, Diz topped the 10,000 minute mark in regular season USL Championship games. Joining him in that category was Lindley, who also broke the 10k minute mark, as he went the full ninety minutes. The two are now separated by just 20 minutes in league history.

Diz has time to recuperate before the next game, which won't be until Friday the 15th at New Mexico, but not having guys available for selection is rearing its head again. Boudadi received a 27th minute yellow card, putting him out for the NM game. Callum-Page picked up a hip injury before the Miami game that might leave him out for a few weeks according to team sources. Martinez picked up a knock that kept him out. King is out indefinitely. If Diz is unable to go in two weeks, the backline is once again going to be light. Though getting Vazquez back helps, but he's only played 14 minutes since returning and probably still isn't fully match fit. 

Photo Credit: Matt Schlotzhauer

Hopefully, Diz and the guys can stay healthy for this stretch run because they are playing some of their best soccer of the season, and within the league. Right now, they have the longest undefeated streak in the Eastern Conference (at 6 games) with Tampa Bay's 4-game win streak being the best behind them. Only San Antonio's 7-game undefeated streak, and Orange County's 8-game win streak are better than the run-of-form that Indy is currently experiencing. With the win against Miami, Indy move, at least temporarily, up to 5th place in the standings. As Indy rests the for the next 13 days, the table will change since the teams around Indy have games in hand on them. Indy's recent success means that only Memphis can bypass them in the standings as those teams catch up to be even in games. Indy currently have a 12-point cushion on the team sitting outside the playoff line with 6 games to go. What seemed like an improbable destination just a few weeks ago as the team hovered around or below the playoff line, now seems more likely. If Indy can get 10 points out of 18 in their remaining games, including a win against Tulsa, I think Indy make the playoffs. They would rather be higher up the standings when the dust settles, but as I've said before, making the playoffs is the first step. Ten points seems doable at this point.

More to the point of this game though...

Purely looking at the stats tells you that this was a close game. Same shots on target, 4. Basically 50/50 possession. The eye test tells basically the same thing. This was a close game, separated by a single goal that resulted from beautiful interplay between the Indy Eleven players. Guenzatti gets credit for the goal and Boudadi gets credit for the assist, but this goal started at half field with Jerome. 

Photo Credit: Matt Schlotzhauer

Jerome sent a routine pass to Boudadi on the wing. Boudadi went forward a little before sending a pass to Lindley who was coming towards him. Lindley one-touched it back and continued his run to the touch line, leaving his defender and Boudadi's defender with Boudadi. Boudadi passed the ball to Velasquez, who sent the ball through a channel to Lindley that was created when the defenders stayed with Boudadi. Boudadi began running towards goal with Velasquez's pass, leaving the defenders behind him. Lindley, once again, one touched it just out of the reach of Boudadi, but the ball went directly to Asante, who one-touched it to Boudadi who had continued his run towards the end-line. Boudadi one-touch crossed the ball towards the opposite side of the six yard box on a string, preventing Zendajas from being able to leave his line, and Guenzatti beat his man to the spot where the ball was going to be and stretched out to get just enough to the ball to redirect it into the goal.

The goal is everything fans expected to see from a team with this much talent. Crisp, one-touch passing. Quick, defined movements that forced defenders into bad positions. Effort. John Keats originated it, but Junior in White Men Can't Jump is how I hear it said, "A thing of beauty is a joy forever." That goal was a thing of beauty. That goal may also be what gets Indy into the playoffs by solidifying their tiebreaker status over Miami. 

Indy now have 13 days to get guys back healthy and prepared for a trip to the Land of Enchantment (and my birthplace). Indy only play two more games against Eastern Conference foes in their remaining six games, both against teams below them near the playoff cut line. So Indy are going to need to get points against teams from the Western Conference, something that's been hit-and-mostly miss during the first part of this season with a 2W-2D-4L record against those teams. Indy is in a different place, mentality and physically, than they were in the majority of those games, so I'm feeling more confident they can get points. 

The Game Beckons Game Ball

The official stats say that Indy lost the Aerial Duel battle by a wide 85 to 15% margin. With Diz Pe on the field, I don't know how that is even possible. His stats indicate that he had 0 aerial duels won and 0 aerial duels lost. I'm not going to watch the entire game to prove either of those stats wrong, but I'm going to not accept that manufactured reality. I watched the game, and I've watched enough of Diz Pe this season to know that those stats are wrong. Diz took a hit from Trilk in the 28th minute and Trilk doesn't do anything half-assed, so I know Diz felt the brunt of that collision. It was also Diz's leg that seemed to be his issue when he left the game, which means he was probably fighting through a couple things before he exited the game. His effort remained throughout, and his effort was enough for me to give him the nudge for the GBGB.

Indy Eleven vs Miami FC - 10.24

Summary

- Opponent: Miami FC
- Location: Riccardo Silva Stadium
- Attendance: -
- Final Score: 1-0 W

- Starting XI: Trilk, Boudadi, Jerome, Chapman-Page, Blake, Lindley, Quinn, Velasquez, Robledo, Martinez, Guenzatti (C)

- Substitution: Diz Pe 45' (Jerome); Dambrot 64' (Velasquez); Asante 64' (Robledo); Pinho 82' (Martinez); Reveno 90'+1' (Blake)

- Unused: Crawford, Molina

- Scoring Summary:
IND - Diz Pe 51' (assist Quinn)

- Bookings:

MIA - Akinyode 12' (Yellow)
IND - Boudadi 47' (Yellow)
MIA - Rivas 62' (Yellow)
IND - Lindley 66' (Yellow)

- Referee: Rubiel Vazquez

- Adage goals: None

Thoughts and Opinions

Indy and Miami come into this contest with identical results from their previous game; Miami beat El Paso 4-nil last Saturday and Indy beat Birmingham 4-nil on Wednesday. Miami benefitted from an El Paso red card in first half stoppage time to get to their 4 goals, whereas Indy had to deal with a 2.5-hour rain delay and a full Birmingham squad to get to their 4 goals. In theory, Miami came into this game as the more rested team, but Indy started the game with some early possession to help them control the tempo of the game, forcing Miami to chase the ball and allowing Indy to save their effort in the hot 98-degree Miami weather.

Martinez - 1st Half Distribution

With some squad rotation due to this game against Miami being Indy's third game in eight days, Martinez dropped back to the wing back role he has played for a good portion of this season. I don't know if it was his most recent turn in his more comfortable role as a forward against Birmingham, but to me, Martinez looked like he had a different mindset in this game. He looked to attack more than than what I recall him doing in his other recent wing back games. Once he received the ball in the attacking half, he mostly did just that. Attack. 

At the hydration break in the first half, Lowry pulled out the tactics board as he is want to do this season. I don't recall a previous coach, himself included, making those kinds of tactical discussions using the board. Lowry indicated during an early game post-game that soccer is different than many other sports where it's difficult to make many adjustments from the sideline during the run-of-play. However, and it's a bit surprising to me given the talent level on this team, Lowry barks changes during the entire game and uses every hydration break or extended injury stoppage to move the little magnets around to talk about what he wants done. 

Indy nearly had a couple goals in the first half, but a fortunate bounce for Miami after a deflection kept the ball from closing the line in the 17th minute, a deflection from a Miami defender that pushed a Blake shot just over the goal in the 41st minute, and a shot from Velasquez that rattled the crossbar in the 42nd minute kept the game tied going into the halftime locker room break. Indy wasn't officially created with a single shot on target in the first half, but they were the more dangerous team from a possession standpoint and from dangerous opportunities on goal.

Diz Pe replaced Jerome at halftime and within six minutes found his head to an Aodhan Quinn corner kick to finally put Indy ahead on the scoreboard. Quinn's assist allows him to join his teammate Asante in the 50 goal/50 assist club in the USL Championship record books, who put himself into that position with his 3 assist game against Birmingham. Quinn and Asante are the first two players in the history of the league to reach the milestone.

After a 66th minute scare from Miami when Salazar managed to get the ball into Indy's goal, but was deemed to have handled the ball before getting his foot to it, Indy was willing to concede some possession to Miami as they remained compact and disciplined in their defense to see out the game. It wasn't quite a park-the-bus situation, but with the lead, three games under their belts, and the Miami heat, Indy took the remaining air out of the stadium and forced Miami to try and break down the defense. Miami managed to get a couple shots off late, but Indy held on for their first win streak of the season, and their second consecutive clean sheet. Don't give up an early goal, score first, and hold on with good team defense. Seems like an effective strategy to push themselves higher up the table. Which it did, as the win pushed Indy up to 6th place on the table. 

Indy now head to Lowry's old stomping ground when they travel to El Paso. With the 11:00 ET start time, tonight's result for ELP isn't included in this, but after a 12 game undefeated streak for ELP in the middle of the season (7 wins in a row), they haven't been able to win since the undefeated streak ended. ELP are 0W-2D-5L in their last seven games (again, not counting whatever happens tonight against Phoenix). So they're susceptible to another poor performance when Indy visit, with a coach who knows the intricacies of Southwest University Park. If Indy can continue their recent run-of-form (minus the Louisville game), I might have to take back some of the things I've said about them recently.

It would be nice, though, if the guys that are near the yellow card accumulation suspension level would stop picking up yellow cards. Both Boudadi and Lindley picked up cards against tonight, and it's going to cost the team, again, if they're not careful.

The Game Beckons Game Ball

Picking a winner for Wednesday's game was easy. Avoiding picking a winner on losses is easy too. Tonight it's a little harder because I thought a lot of guys played good, solid games. Quinn is edging his way towards Top 10 status in points in club history with his assist tonight. However, I think I'm going to give it to Diz Pe for his first goal of the season after coming in at halftime. Lowry doesn't often make a change with the CBs midway through a game so I don't know if it was a planned substitution at halftime because of the minutes on Jerome's legs, or if Jerome picked up a knock during the first half, but Diz Pe immediately fell into the rhythm of the game and was rewarded with a goal. Admittedly, not his best header in his career, but he directed it the right direction and it gave Indy the lead and the eventual win. So Diz gets the GBGB tonight.

Indy Eleven vs Miami FC - 09.16

Summary

- Opponent: Miami FC
- Location: Carroll Stadium
- Attendance: 8,008
- Final Score: 1-0 L

- Starting XI: Trilk, Cochran, Jerome, Timmer, Brown, Ayoze (C), Aguilera, Law, Asante, Pinho, Arteaga
- Substitution: Ingram 62' (Aguilera); Fjeldberg 64' (Brown); Hackshaw 80' (Ayoze)

- Unused: Svetanoff, Briggs, McQueen, Michael

- Scoring Summary:
MIA - Perez 58' (assist Walker)

- Bookings:

IND - Law 12' (Yellow)
MIA - Perez 24' (Yellow)
IND – Arteaga 29' (Yellow)
MIA – Chapman-Page 29' (Yellow)
MIA – Stanley 38' (Yellow)
MIA – Walker 41' (Yellow)
IND – Brown 46' (Yellow)
IND – Arteaga 90'+4' (Yellow – RED)

- Referee: Nabil Bensalah
- Adage goals: None.

Thoughts and Opinions

In the first game at The Mike in over a month and on a field with a new turf, Indy looked to put the 5-0 beating at the hands of San Diego Loyal behind them by playing Miami FC for the second time in that month-long span. They were unsuccessful in that attempt, as they lost 1-nil in a fairly even, but highly physical, game. Indy now run their losing streak to three after losing to Colorado Springs, San Diego, and now Miami FC. Don't worry, it gets worse...

Ayoze with the start at left back in place of Hackshaw. Indy loses the ability in the air that Hackshaw brings (and Indy was on the wrong side of that statistic by games end, but that wasn't all Ayoze), as well as Hackshaw's long-throw ability near the opposing 18-yard box, but Indy obviously doesn’t lose much else when it comes to having Ayoze in the starting lineup. It has been awhile since Indy fans have seen Ayoze in that role though.

The new turf that was laid during the month-long road trip in June looked like it had a lot of the black pellets. Hopefully that starts to settle as time, weather, and play pushes that down because it was clear that there were some patches where the pellets were much thicker than in others. It also seemed to be a bit slick, as guys were having a hard time keeping their feet at times during quick cuts. So it might have been better than the turf that was there, particularly for the players' bodies, but it showed tonight that it wasn't perfect.

In the early part of the game, Coach Lowry’s desire for the team to try and take multiple bites at the proverbial apple was in full effect as multiple guys found themselves in the box with each Indy shot. As the game reached the 15th minute mark, both teams had settled into the game with both teams holding possession and getting good opportunities near the other’s goal.

After a 29th minute cluster in the Indy box that resulted in both Arteaga and Chapman-Page receiving yellow cards, the intensity of the game ramped up a bit more and the game became a more end-to-end affair. The cards didn’t slow down the hard tackles, as both teams continued to find the ankles of each other in lieu of the ball, and yellow cards continued to fly.

In the 37th minute, a slow Indy defensive transition led to a shot that Trilk managed to get just enough of a touch on a diving effort to push the ball off the post. It might have been the best opportunity for either team and Trilk read it perfectly and had strong enough hands to keep the score at zero. Shortly after, Timmer was absolutely laid out by Stanley, who I think was lucky to not get a red card for the physical tackle. Miami’s fourth yellow card came moments later on a tackle by Walker on Jerome that forced Hackshaw to start getting warmed up on the sidelines. At this point in the game, the idea of a red card seemed as likely as a goal, and a goal seemed to be a foregone conclusion from somebody. Which team was going to get the goal and which team was going to get the red card was still in the balance as the team's departed the field for the locker rooms.

The start of the second half looked like both teams used the 15 minutes of halftime to do a little meditating, which took some of the hard tackles out of the mix, but the end-to-end action remained. The action eventually led to the first goal by Miami in the 58th minute as Miami found holes in Indy’s defense and finally put a ball in the goal instead of just wide or over it. Indy found themselves chasing the game and if not for a spectacular reaction save in the 67th minute by Sparrow, the game would have been back to even. Down a goal, Indy began to ask questions of Miami’s defense. However, it wasn’t meant to be for Indy as they could never find the equalizer and walked off their brand-new turf with a loss, and a drop out of the playoff position with Miami moving ahead of them. 

The good news is that Indy still has games-in-hand on all the teams above them in the table except for Birmingham. The bad news is that I correctly predicted a red card would be issued during the game, as Arteaga was shown his second yellow in 2nd half stoppage time working towards the equalizer. So Indy will head to Pittsburgh without him. Again, trying to see the silver lining, Aris Briggs was available on the bench tonight. Even though he didn't get any minutes tonight, the fact that he could be available on Wednesday certainly helps, but it continues to feel like this season is one where Indy is just a piece or two (or more) short of having everybody available for selection at the same time.

Indy don't have time to lick their wounds with the midweek game against Pittsburgh, followed by a game next Saturday against Detroit FC, but they need to figure out what has gone wrong lately. While the loss in Colorado stung, it was against arguably one of the best teams in the league. However, including the loss to Memphis, Indy have pulled just 7 points from a possible 24, including the aforementioned three game losing streak, and four of six, two of which were home games. Indy may now have new turf at The Mike, but they need to figure out how to make it a fortress again because Wednesday's game at Pittsburgh constitutes the halfway point of the season. There are still a lot of games to be played, but tonight's loss was not the new turf dedication that they were hoping to get. It was a game between two fairly evenly matched teams, but this had the feel of one of those games of old where the Indy Eleven goal just never felt like it was going to come. Unfortunately for the fans, they had to make due with the post-game firework celebration since the post-goal smoke celebration never occurred.

The Indy women play tomorrow at Grand Park, in what will constitute one of two victory laps after securing the Great Lakes division title on Friday night.

That's me trying to end this on a high note.

The Game Beckons Game Ball

His official stats say he had just three saves, which his counterpart had six. Yet, it feels like Trilk's three saves were all spectacular saves that kept Indy within arm's reach the entire game. For a guy who Coach Lowry is high on, but has previously said would have all chances to be #1, Trilk has continued to look like a #1 goalkeeper right now. He makes good saves, he makes good decisions, and he DEFINITELY commands his box. The team may give the Man of the Match to one of the other players, but Tim Trilk gets my GBGB.