Indy Eleven vs St. Louis City SC 2 - 2022 U.S. Open Cup

Summary

- Opponent: St. Louis City SC 2
- Location: Carroll Stadium
- Attendance: --
- Final Score: 2-0 L

- Starting XI: Trilk, McQueen, Ouimette, Cochran (C), Powder, Law, Brown, Fjeldberg, Aguilera, Briggs, Michael
- Substitutions: Pinho 63' (Fjeldberg); Rebellon 69' (Michael)
- Unused: Svetanoff, Ingram, Jerome, Revolorio, Timmer

- Scoring Summary:
STL - Armstrong 18' (assist Yaro)
STL - Kuzain 72' (assist Pompeu)

- Bookings:
STL - Kuzain 70' (Yellow)
IND - Rebellon 84' (Yellow)

- Referee: --
- Adage goals: None

Thoughts and Opinions

With three games in the span of a week, Indy Eleven adjusted the starting lineup across all levels for their first U.S. Open Cup game in three years. Trilk replaced Panicco in goal; Ouimette, Powder, and McQueen started along the backline; Fjeldberg dropped into the midfield; and Michael replaced him up top with Briggs. Interestingly (at least to me), when Indy played STL during the preseason, Indy’s starting lineup was fairly similar to the one that started tonight. 

While not an issue during this past Saturday’s game, the setting sun was a little bit of a factor in the early part of the game as Indy forced STL’s goalkeeper, Creek, to look into the sun. Unfortunately, Indy didn’t provide any meaningful threats on goal when the sun could have been a factor. In fact, in the 18th minute, STL put themselves ahead thanks to a shot by Armstrong that was blasted by Trilk after McQueen lost Armstrong and Yaro sent a looping ball over the rest of the defense. Down a goal early, Indy found themselves staring at an unfriendly deficit, bringing back nightmares of the 2017 and 2018 U.S. Open Cup losses against the Michigan Bucks and Mississippi Brilla FC, respectively. 

Indy controlled possession through the majority of the beginning of the first half, but St. Louis’ press kept that possession in safe areas for them, including a significant portion of the possession being in Indy’s own half of the field. Indy could not figure out a way to break through STL’s high press and energy, and as the half progresses, possession began to tilt more and more towards STL. 

Zero shots. Not zero shots on target… Zero shots, of any kind, for Indy in the first half. STL’s compact line of defense was just impenetrable in the first half (photo to the right is from the second half, but the compactness of STL's defense was like that the entire game). As much as I was starting to feel optimistic about Indy’s offense on Saturday, I reverted back to how I felt when Indy played Loudoun in the first game of the season. To say that the offense was absolutely anemic is a gross overstatement. The offense was basically non-existent in the first half.

Immediately after halftime, it was clear that Lowry used some strong words and Indy responded with quicker passes and more urgency to get between or over the STL defense. Indy had more diagonal balls from Powder to Rodney. However, by the 60th minute, STL had weathered Indy’s initial post-halftime push and they settled into the adjustment.

In the 72nd minute, Indy’s backline again didn’t track properly and Diaz had an easy and clear shot on goal that Trilk had no chance of stopping. Despite Indy being able to generate more opportunities for themselves after halftime, STL still looked like the better team and found themselves with a two-goal lead. 

Admittedly, STL isn’t your typical third division team (as an example of that, there were five STL staff members in the press box, which is an absolute rarity for away teams against Indy… and that includes Louisville who doesn't have to travel that far), but it's not like Indy didn't know what to expect from STL since the two teams played to a 1-1 draw during the preseason. Indy looked uninspired during the first half, slower than STL in the second half, and just generally out of sync. I lost count of how many times passes were sent out of bounds as players weren't on the same page with each other.

Indy’s inability in the U.S. Open Cup has reached an absolutely frustrating level. Different players, different coaches, different schemes. The results continue to be the same for Indy Eleven when it comes to the Cup. An early exit. Unfortunately for fans who would like to see Indy succeed in the Cup, the trip ended tonight. Fortunately, it doesn't further dig themselves in the league table hole that they are currently digging. "If you want to get out of the hole, you have to first stop digging." The past two league games looked like Indy was at least slowing down on that dig, but after tonight's game, it looks like they might have started digging again.

The guys have a short rest and then travel down to Texas for an intra-conference clash with Rio Grande Valley FC, who is also mired in their own poor start. After winning their first game, RGV is on a three-game losing streak. After tonight's performance, I hope the guys are fired up to show that they just have a rough night against a good, fast, and organized opponent.

The Game Beckons Game Ball

I could probably give somebody a game ball, but mostly only for their effort in the second half. At halftime, I would have been hard pressed to find any player that I would say stood out, positively, enough to get the GBGB. I think I'll give it to Briggs, for his desire (in the second half) to actually shoot the ball towards frame. 

Photos (Courtesy of @DLTPhotog)

Indy Eleven vs Saint Louis FC - 07.16

Summary
- Opponent: Saint Louis FC
- Location: West Community Stadium
- Attendance: -
- Final Score: 2-1 L

- Starting XI: Newton, Hackshaw, Barrett (C), Ouimette, Conner, Gibson, Antley, Haworth, Lindley, Pasher, Moon

- Substitutions: Carleton 45' (Lindley); Ilic 61' (Antley)
- Unused: Farr, Dumas, Ayoze, Rafanello, Watson

- Scoring Summary:
STL - Blackwood 35' (assist Greig)
STL - Fall 47' (PK)
IND - Pasher 82' (PK)

- Bookings:
STL - Blackwood 8' (Yellow)
STL - Cicerone 18' (Yellow)
IND - Antley 21' (Yellow)
IND - Gibson 45'+2' (Yellow)
IND - Barrett 61' (Yellow)
IND - Conner 63' (Yellow)
STL - Adewole 69' (Yellow)

- Referee: Tori Penso
- Adage goals: None

Thoughts and Opinions
If you want to see a Rennie Bunker (TM) in full effect, tonight's starting lineup took Ayoze and Ilic out from Wednesday's starting lineup in lieu of a more defensive minded Antley, with Pasher and Moon up top. Both Moon and Pasher have experience as defenders in the past. Which means that every single player on the starting lineup is a defender or midfielder by their original trade. Indy combined that with a much less active press from the team when Saint Louis had the ball in their defensive half. Indy was not going to lose their shape in the early part of the game as long as the score stayed in Indy's favor. With a win or draw, Indy advanced to the postseason, so a 0-0 result was fine with them.

Then shortly after the hydration break, a giveaway from a deflection and Blackwood put the ball into the left side of the goal when Newton couldn't get back into position after getting off frame to accept a back pass from Hackshaw that never came. From there, the game became more open as Indy had to chase the game and Saint Louis began to slowly sit in their own bunker, but still managed to find some opportunities late in the half. By contrast, Indy managed just one shot on target in the first half.

A substitution was made at halftime to be able to get a goal back to flip the postseason qualifier position, bringing on Carleton for Lindley. Less than 2 minutes into the half, an inadvertent handball was called on Ouimette in the box giving Saint Louis a penalty kick that Fall put past Newton's right side, despite Newton getting a hand on the ball.

After the penalty kick goal, the game was all over except the final score. Indy has not shown any ability to finish their shots late in the season and while Indy was able to hold more possession and get more shots on target, they were only able to get a single goal through a penalty kick in the 82nd minute from Tyler Pasher that was setup from a Moon run where he was taken down at the top corner of the 18. 

However, there just wasn't enough time left in the game and what started as a promising season whimpered to an end with Indy finishing the season on a 1W-1D-5L record in the last 7 games. Indy's periodic defensive mistakes reared their head again and Indy's complete inability to finish their chances is ultimately how this season is going to be remembered. I suspect that next year's roster is going to have at least a few differences, but I'm not confident that the team's inability to consistently score will be addressed or at least one that can score consistently within Rennie's system. That's a discussion for another day though. 

Today, the team has to make a bus ride home knowing that a season got away from them and on the last day of the season. When they needed to get a draw to continue playing into the postseason, their defensive mistakes and offensive woes prevented a good, but not great, season from continuing. 

The Game Beckons Game Ball
I didn't know who to "reward" with the Game Beckons Game Ball, but Moon's persistence in trying to get a penalty was rewarded and is what gave Indy a moderate chance of hope at the end of the game. So in a season ending loss, that's going to have to do.

Indy Eleven vs Sporting Kansas City II - 07.15

Summary
- Opponent: Saint Louis FC
- Location: Lucas Oil Stadium
- Attendance: 6,039
- Final Score: 2-1 L

- Starting XI: Newton, Hackshaw, Barrett (C), Ouimette, Conner, Gibson, Ayoze, Haworth, Lindley, Ilic, Pasher

- Substitutions: Carleton 45' (Lindley); Moon 69' (Ilic); Watson 69' (Conner); Rafanello 86' (Gibson)
- Unused: Farr, Antley, Dumas

- Scoring Summary:
SKCII - Harris 41' (assist Mompremier)
IND - Carleton 49' (assist Pasher)
SKCII - Sparks 90'+5'

- Bookings:
IND - Lindley 38' (Yellow)
IND - Watson 73' (Yellow)
SKCII - Sparks 86' (Yellow)

- Referee: Calin Radosav
- Adage goals: Two

Thoughts and Opinions
It wasn't a "must-win" game tonight against Sporting Kansas City II, but the prospect of going to Saint Louis to get a draw or a win in Saint Louis' potential last game ever, put some expediency into Indy's offense early, creating numerous chances. However, midway through the first half, SKCII began to see more chances of their own until they eventually took the lead on a 41st minute goal by Harris on a "chipping wedge in his bag" cross by Mompremier. Indy had four first half shots on target, but SKCII's goalkeeper, Prieur, was better than Indy's shots in the first half. 

"We have to finish." - Coach Rennie (at halftime during telecast)

Rennie was referencing the number of chances that they had around the goal that they were unable to convert into goals. We would find out later that it also could have referred to finishing the game. 

After the halftime break, Rennie substituted Carleton in for Lindley. Carleton's creativity and vision were immediately made apparent. Within five minutes, Pasher sent a cross/pass towards the top of the box that Carleton buried into the lower right corner away from Prieur. For the moment, it looked like the game would be salvaged as Indy evened the game and still had 40 minutes remaining to get a much needed second goal. 

And yet, the finishing around the goal never happened again, despite 3 more shots on target in the second half and a total of 24 crosses. Headers went just over the top. Another Carleton shot from outside the box went wide. At one point in the telecast, Rakestraw said something to the effect of "Indy isn't lacking for soccer IQ," and that their "speed of thought" was on full display tonight. What he missed what that their play was good for everywhere except that finishing touch. 

I don't want to harp on it game after game, but Indy's end-of-season scoring has not been consistent with the rest of the way they have played. Pasher, Indy's leading goal scorer, hasn't scored a goal in the run of play since August 15th against Pittsburgh. Since that time (6 games), Indy have been held scoreless twice (both against Louisville City), Pasher scored a first half stoppage time penalty kick, Moon and Rafanello scored vs SKCII, and Hackshaw headed home the game tying goal last week versus Saint Louis after a recycled corner kick. Run-of-play goals have never been the cornerstone of a Rennie team, but the team is struggling to find the goal as this season concludes.

Then there was the 90'+5' goal by Sparks that took Indy's reasonable result (from a confidence perspective as it didn't really help in the standings in comparison to Saint Louis) and threw it into the dumpster. A dumpster that many fans are going to set on fire if Indy is unable to get a result and finish the season without making the playoffs in a group where many thought Indy could have been the top team and after their promising start to the season. The good news for Indy is that they really are playing mostly good soccer and that a draw against Saint Louis on Saturday still manages to get them into the playoffs despite having a 1W-1D-4L record in their last six games. 

With their recent inability to finish chances and their ability to give up poor goals, I'm not very optimistic this season continues past Saturday. If it does, it looks like it will have to be done entirely on the road in the playoffs as Indy has one of the worst records of all of the eastern conference playoff teams.

One last thing. The #RennieOut birds are out again, so I will reiterate that I don't think this will ever happen after this season. Particularly after a COVID shortened season where the team will still be able to win 50% of their games if they get the win on Saturday. I went back to the USL Championship 2020 Record Book (which covers teams through the 2019 season). Coach Rennie's overall record for the club ranks near the Top 10 for all coaches who have been at a club for more than 2 years (I admit I could have missed a couple, but I think I was fairly comprehensive in my evaluation). Unless he gets caught saying something racist, homophobic, sexist, etc., put in jail, or finds another job on his own, I fully expect that the #RennieOut crowd better get used to him being here at least one more year.

• Luke Spencer / Paolo Del Piccolo / George Davis IV (LCFC) 66.7% (This was only one season, but I had to include it here because LCFC had 3 player/coaches and still won 2/3 of their games. That's damn impressive.)
• Rick Schantz (Phoenix) 65.3%
• John Hackworth (LCFC) 55.75%
• Preki (Sacramento) 54.1%
• Patrice Carterton (Phoenix) 53.0%
• James O'Conner (LCFC) 52.4%
• Ian Russell (Reno) 51.0%
• Bob Lilley (Pittsburgh) 50%
• John Wolyniec (NYRBII) 48.1% overall (70% in 2016)
• Simon Elliott (Sacramento) 48.6%
• Martin Rennie 47.25% overall (including 2020 to date)
• Stuart Campbell (Tampa Bay) 44.1%
• Mike Anhaeuser (Charleston) 42.7% 
• Paul Buckle (Sacramento) 42.4%
• Darren Powell (San Antonio) 40.8%

The Game Beckons Game Ball
This game's Game Beckons Game Ball is going to go to two players. Andrew Carleton and Ilija Ilic. Their vision and creativity were on a different level for this game and it's a shame that some of their passes and effort weren't rewarded. We've seen promise from Moon and Rafanello, but seeing both Ilic and Carleton on the field together for 24 minutes makes we wish that we could see more of what they could do with more time.

PHOTOS (@DLTPhotog)

Indy Eleven vs Saint Louis FC - 07.14

 

Summary
- Opponent: Saint Louis FC
- Location: Lucas Oil Stadium
- Attendance: 5,664
- Final Score: 1-1 D

- Starting XI: Newton, Hackshaw, Barrett (C), Ouimette, Conner, Gibson, Ayoze, Haworth, Lindley, Moon, Pasher

- Substitutions: Ilic 61' (Gibson), Rafanello 79' (Moon), Watson 87' (Conner), Carleton 88' (Ayoze)
- Unused: Farr, Antley, Osmond

- Scoring Summary:
STL - Cicerone 50' (assist Blackwood)
IND - Hackshaw 72' (assist Ayoze)

- Bookings:
STL - Wharton 4' (Yellow); 75' (Yellow) - RED
STL - Greig 45' (Yellow)
STL - Adewole 45'+2' (Yellow)
STL - Fink 45'+4' (Yellow); 61' (Yellow) - RED
IND - Conner 55' (Yellow)
IND - Hackshaw 64' (Yellow)

- Referee: Lukasz Szpala
- Adage goals: None

Thoughts and Opinions

Saint Louis plays in a way that makes them comfortable sitting back and absorbing play and counter-attacking at key moments. The first half consisted entirely of that style of play. Indy had 7 shots on goal, forcing Morton into 6 saves.  Conversely, Saint Louis' less than 40% of possession in the first half resulted in just one easy save from Newton. Indy's one shot off target was from Moon who couldn't put a Pasher cross on frame from inside the six yard box.

Indy pushed their tempo a little more in the second half early, nearly getting a goal within the first couple of minutes when a non-call on Moon in the box (probably the correct call) bunched the Saint Louis defenders and Cam Lindley stole the ball from the group and proceeded to put a ball across the six that Pasher ushered just outside of the right post. 

Yet, against the run of play, Indy gave up a ball in the 50th minute in the Saint Louis box and Saint Louis sprinted to the other end, with Cicerone ultimately slotting a ball past Newton and turning a dominant performance by Indy on its head. Much like Coach Rennie's comment last week, "Even sometimes when we hardly made a mistake, we’ve been punished, and when we’ve had chances, we’ve not taken them," Indy found themselves trailing after making very few mistakes. In this one, nobody tracked back with Cicerone as Greig opened some space for Cicerone to run into. Blackwood had an easy pass to the middle of the field where Cicerone could shoot at the goal uncontested.

Then a second yellow to Fink in the 61st minute once again turned the game on it head. Just before the card to Fink, Indy had subbed in Ilic for Gibson, in a clear plan to get more players in the attack. The red card tilted the field in Indy's favor and their persistence paid off when Indy was finally able to put the ball past Morton in the 71st minute. In a typical Conner play, he hustled down a ball in the corner, that led to him being fouled. The ensuing free kick led to a short corner, which Haworth (who took the free kick) played quickly to Ayoze who sent a perfect cross to the back post that Hackshaw headed into the goal.

Less than 5 minutes later and a second yellow on Wharton put Indy up two men with plenty of time to get a victory. Throw in what became 10 minutes of stoppage time and Indy had 25 minutes with a two-man advantage to get the game-winning goal. In that timeframe, Indy managed another 7 shots, but only forced Morton into a single save in the entire second half, even with the man advantage. 

Twenty-five minutes of a two-man advantage and Indy finishes the game in a 1-1 draw, but also not taking ahold of 2nd place in the Group that they absolutely needed to take with this game. Now their path to the playoffs looks even more daunting after looking like they were going to easily make it based on their results in the first portion of this season. Rakestraw reminded us on the telecast that the last time Indy had a two-man advantage was in 2015 against the Tampa Bay Rowdies. That game also resulted in a tie, thanks to a 97th minute goal by Kyle Hyland. What Rakestraw didn't mention was that the draw was the final nail in the coffin on Coach Sommer as head coach. While I don't expect that to happen here (and a former high ranking front office staff member agrees with me), the #RennieOut crowd has not been happy with the past month of results and have started to become more vocal.

I said it last week and I'll say it again this week, this team misses the services of a proper striker who can be, and is, in the right place at the right time. For all of Indy's talents, to me that is the piece that just isn't there and it's not something that Coach Rennie seems to want to find or know how to utilize properly; see Dane Kelly as the league's all-time leading scorer and 2nd leading scorer this season as an example of the latter. With the way that Indy plays and the way that Saint Louis was forced to play down two men, Pasher's goal scoring strengths were completely neutralized. I began to think that it would have been better to drop him back into a defenders role (which is where he started in Indy so he's capable back there) and put Hackshaw or Ouimette up top to get their head on one of the 29 crosses Indy had for the game. While it seems counterintuitive to put Indy's top goal scorer out of a goal scoring position, Pasher isn't likely to get a 1v1 situation where he can run past the defender nor is he going to get many goals from his head. Indy needed a different way to attack the goal.  

An ongoing refrain from Coach Rennie in the post-game press conferences, which is stated again tonight is, "We created a lot of chances tonight and I think we need to be a little bit more clinical with those chances, there’s no doubt about that." I want to believe that some of these guys have that ability, but chatting with former Indy Eleven player Eamon Zayed after the game, he too doesn't see a true striker on the roster and also thinks it's the piece that is missing. In his words, "if you play without an actual 9, then you better have two wide forwards to score 10+ goals and Indy only has one!!!!! [Indy is] a 10+ goal man short of being a title winning team!"

So without a true number 9 nor a second 10+ goal scoring wide forward, are we seeing the pinnacle of where Indy can reach? Who knows, but tonight's draw makes it much more difficult for them to even be in this year's playoffs, much less have success in them if they get there. I was asked today my thoughts about the game before it started. I responded with, "I'm not sure if this is a must-win game, but it's definitely a must-draw game. Given that it's at home, it needs to be a win." Indy can still make the playoffs if some other results go their way (a Louisville vs Saint Louis game on Saturday with Saint Louis missing some players because of tonight's red cards is big), but Indy needs to consider the final two games of the season as "must-win" games to help keep their fate somewhat in their control. 

Indy returns to action next Wednesday against Sporting Kansas City II, who are now just playing for pride and to ruin other team's chances. Regardless, they have already proven they can win in Indy and the Eleven shouldn't take them lightly. By this time next week, we should have a better understanding of the importance of the final game of the season in Saint Louis. 

The Game Beckons Game Ball
If you're a defender and you get the goal that pulls a draw out of a come-from-behind scenario, you get the Game Beckons Game Ball. Congrats Hackshaw.

Indy Eleven vs Saint Louis FC - 07.05

Summary

- Opponent: Saint Louis FC

- Location: West Community Stadium

- Attendance: 

- Final Score: 1-0 L

- Starting XI: Newton, Hackshaw, Barrett (C), Ouimette, Lindley, Gibson, Antley, King, Carleton, Rafanello, Moon

- Substitutions: Conner 68' (Gibson), Pasher 68' (Moon), Watson 80' (Rafanello), Dumas 

- Unused: Farr, Osmond, Walker

- Scoring Summary:

STL - Blackwood 24' (assist Fall)

- Bookings:

IND - Hackshaw 44' (Yellow)

STL - Fall 68' (Yellow)

STL - Umar 83' (Yellow)

- Referee: Jervis Atagana

- Adage goals: None

Thoughts and Opinions

Indy's first chink in the armor was on full display today with the first substantial lineup change since the season rebooted. Pasher and Conner were given a rest from the starting lineup and Ayoze and Haworth were still missing from the game day lineup as well. As a result, Rafanello and Lindley picked up their first starts for Indy Eleven and King had his first start of the 2020 campaign. 

Unfortunately, Indy's infusion of different players into the starting lineup played against them as Saint Louis FC bunkered and were very quick to recover on defense to get players behind the ball, stifling most of the Indy attacks. Without Pasher's pace up top to chase down the periodic ball over the top to keep the Saint Louis defense honest, Indy's normal desire to play through the back routinely put 9 or 10 Saint Louis defenders behind the ball. This created very minimal passing lanes and the Indy midfield and forwards struggled to unlock many serious threats on goal, despite having 20 shots and 7 shots on goal. In fact, today's forward line of Moon and Rafanello had 3 shots on target and 2 chances created. The back three of Hackshaw, Ouimette, and Barrett had 1 shot on target, 1 shot off target, 1 blocked shot, and 3 chances created. It's not always a good sign when you can't look at the offensive stats and tell the difference between the forwards and the center backs.

Alternatively, Saint Louis managed just 2 shots, but scored with just one of those on a pass through the back line where Ouimette was pulled too far centrally and Barrett was unable to recover, The goal reminded me of the one that Harris from Sporting KC II scored last week. 

By the time Coach Rennie went to his bench in the 70th minute, with an infusion of pace with Pasher and a Conner for Gibson change, Saint Louis were content to further bunker and 10 to 11 guys behind the ball for most of the final parts of the game. With that many guys back, further plugging the passing lanes, every time Pasher touched the ball, he was met by multiple defenders. Saint Louis basically said, "you [Indy] may find a way to tie or win this game, but you [Indy] are going to have to find a way to do it with somebody other than Tyler Pasher." Indy was unable to find someone else to win the game for them.

With the schedule that teams have to play to get in a 16 game season in such a short timeframe, Coach Rennie is doing the right thing of giving some guys a rest and giving some guys some playing time. However, they are going to have to figure out a way to beat teams in ways that don't always include Pasher. He's also going to need to give the back line some breathers too as Hackshaw, Ouimette, and Barrett are putting in some long shifts and can't be the defensive stalwarts they need, while also providing a significant portion of the offense. I wonder if we'll see Osmond on Wednesday against Hartford Athletic.

Once the groups were announced for the season restart, many (most?) felt that Group E was going to be a race for Indy and Louisville and that Saint Louis and SKCII were going to need to steal points from those two teams to give themselves a chance. Saint Louis did just that in back-to-back games and have placed themselves firmly in the discussion for advancing to the playoffs. It was unlikely that Indy were going to go through the season unscathed, but a draw would have been a welcome result in Saint Louis. Maybe that was Coach Rennie's logic and he thought his team could get it done while resting some players. 

Going into the non-group game against Hartford on Wednesday, the questions become:

1. Will Coach Rennie adjust the lineup again to give some other players some rest? and 
2. Will they be able to find some goals from attacking players not named Pasher (remember, the other goals for the season have come from Ayoze, Haworth, Hackshaw, and Barrett)?

After today's result, I expect 

1. Yes, 
2. Indy fans better hope so.

The Game Beckons Game Ball

While I'm not a big fan of his over acts of frustration, Carleton was the player who looked to attack more than anybody else (not named Barrett). In a loss where things didn't seem to click as much as Indy fans would have preferred, that's about as good as I can get tonight. 

Indy Eleven vs Saint Louis FC - 07.02

Summary

- Opponent: Saint Louis FC

- Location: Indianapolis Lucas Oil Stadium

- Attendance: 4,761 (the infamous distributed tickets value...)

- Final Score: 2-0 W

- Starting XI: Newton, Hackshaw, Barrett (C), Ouimette, Conner, Gibson, Ayoze, Haworth, Carleton, Pasher, Moon

- Substitutions: Watson 69' (Carleton), Ilic 80' (Moon), Osmond 84' (Barrett)

- Unused: Farr, Antley, King, Walker

- Scoring Summary:

IND – Pasher (assist Carleton) 52’

IND - Hackshaw (assist Ayoze) 79'

- Bookings:

NONE

- Referee: Calin Radosav

- Adage goals: None

Thoughts and Opinions

I'm going to start this by saying that I wasn't at the game and that I question the playing of games entirely. I appreciate the fact that people's livelihoods are on the line here. I understand people's desires to try and get back to some kind of normal. I'm just not convinced we're there yet and we're potentially setting ourselves up for an extended "social distancing" life because people aren't taking it seriously enough. I saw people in the stands without masks on. I don't get that. I miss being at games. We all do. Yet I couldn't get beyond my personal opinion of how I've witnessed people behaving for me to attend the game in person. Maybe at some point, but I'm not there yet.

I was glad to see the players standing up for Black Lives Matter. This is an important moment in the history of the country and I hope that we're finally moving in a direction that addresses the issues we've had for too long in this country. They're small steps at this point, but they're small steps that have needed to be taken for far too long.

No, onto the game itself...

With tonight's win, the Indy Eleven haven't lost in Lucas Oil Stadium in over 2 years. In a shortened 16 game season (one pre-shutdown and 15 post-shutdown), that's a useful stat to have in your back pocket with 10 of the 15 games taking place at home. Add in the ability to have 5 substitutes with Indy's depth in every position, and it will be unfortunate if the Eleven don't make it into the post-season. To do that, I've mentioned before that I thought Indy needed to take as many points as they can from Saint Louis and Sporting KC II and then hope to split the season with Louisville to clinch their spot. Indy took the first step in that tonight by not only getting a win against Saint Louis, but also keeping the clean sheet to help with the goal differential, which could come into play at the end of the year.

If you look at the heat map from this game, it would appear that this game was played predominantly in the midfield, but Indy won in all of the major statistical categories. They nearly doubled Saint Louis in shots and shots on goal, won the possession and aerial duels battle, and completed more than 80% of their passes. Most people will argue that it isn't just possession, but where you have that possession and what you do with that possession. Indy took their possession and methodically moved it up the field to put themselves in dangerous situations, with just enough of the long passes to Pasher, Moon, and Carleton to keep reminding Saint Louis that Indy has one of (the?) fastest players in the league with Pasher. I enjoy a distribution map that looks as green as what Indy was able to create tonight.

Indy's distribution and attack led to 13 shots and 8 shots on goal in the first half alone and 19 and 9 for the game.  Indy's attack came from multiple sources as even Barrett had a 40 yard shot that forced a good save from Morton in just the 9th minute of action, signifying the extent to which Indy was going to try and break down Saint Louis' compact defense. 

Yet, for all of the distribution and passes from Indy, their goals came from a long pass or a set piece cross. The first goal was a 40-yard pass from Carleton to Pasher, who the performed his normal magic trick of making a defender think he's going to his right, only to get it back to his left and put it under the keeper. The second goal was a 30-yard set piece cross from Ayoze that was perfectly placed in a spot over the defense, but that kept Morton planted on his line. 

As we saw last season, teams can know the scouting report and still can't stop it. 

• Pasher wants to go to his left. Force him to his right. He might still beat you, but you're giving yourself a chance. In the moment though, when he's going at a defender with more speed than a player is used to seeing, the ball fakes seem to work.
• Ayoze is dangerous on free kicks. Okay, teams can't prepare for his placement. I'll give them that one.
• Indy is going to stay organized defensively and if you're going to attack it, you need to do it in numbers. Saint Louis did that a few times, but just couldn't do it consistently enough to overcome a goal, and then two goal, deficit.  

What teams don't have in the scouting report is the effort and ability of Carleton and Moon have added to this team and the pressure that Haworth on the right side is going to take off of Pasher on the left side. They saw a glimpse of what the new additions are going to bring to this year's squad and it should concern opposing teams. Indy was good last year and they have additional pieces that are going to make them even harder to beat, particularly given their home form.

Sporting KC II comes to Indy next weekend and Indy needs to continue taking points from the teams not named Louisville City FC to put themselves in the best position at the end of this sprint season.

The Game Beckons Game Ball

It has to be Pasher, right? 85% pass right, 5 shots, 3 shots on goal, and his goal turned the game from "promising" to a nearly certain win. Hackshaw's goal put the game out of reach for Saint Louis, but it was Pasher's goal that showed that teams can game plan around him, but he can still beat them and Indy has found weapons around him to take off some of the pressure.

Indy Eleven vs Saint Louis FC - 06.21

- Opponent: Saint Louis FC
- Location: Indianapolis
- Attendance: 10,035
- Final Score: 2-1 W
- Starting XI: Newton, Hackshaw, Ouimtte, Barrett, Walker, Gibson, Ayoze, Farias, Watson (C), Ilic, Starikov
- Substitutions: Pasher 46' (Starikov), Kelly 58' (Watson), Conner 78' (Ilic)
- Unused: Farr, Osmond, Diakhate, King
- Goals: Pasher 66'; Kelly 81' (assist Barrett)
- Bookings: Conner 84' (Yellow)
- Referee: Elton Garcia
- Adage goals: One

Indy started the 2019 season on the road against Saint Louis in a 2-1 loss, despite getting the scoring started in the 61st minute with Hackshaw. Coming into the game, Indy has hovered around the top 4 for the past 10 weeks. Conversely, Saint Louis FC spent some time early in the year at the top of the table, but have plummeted since week 8 down to as low as 12th and had won just one game in their past 13 games. These are two different teams than the ones who played against each other in week one, not counting the plethora of roster changes that Indy made in the past week.

Notable starting lineup for Indy was that Pasher was absent and Ilic and Starikov were up top in a rare (at least this season) 3-5-2, and captain Matt Watson picked up just his 6th start of the year. Newly acquired Novoa and Rodrigues were unavailable with visa issues and Conner began the game on the bench.

Indy came out of the gates looking rusty from their break in league play, while Saint Louis looked like they wanted to get ahead early instead of having to come from behind. Saint Louis had the opening kick and proceeded to take it and force Newton into a save just 20 seconds into the game. They continued the pressure early with 3 shots in the first 20 minutes, while Indy worked to find their footing by holding an advantage in possession.

Indy had the bulk of the possession in the first half, but Saint Louis managed to get more shots on goal during their limited possession. As has been a recurring statement this year, Indy looked like they were missing somebody who could take on STL's defense or blow by them. Several of Indy's substitutes didn't go to the locker room at halftime, but Pasher had a more immediacy to his halftime touches and became the team's first sub in the 46th minute, taking the place of Starikov. Starikov played well, but is still getting his fitness back and Pasher's pace gave STL something else to consider in their 2nd half tactics that they likely weren't expecting to confront immediately out of the locker room.

There's an immediacy to Pasher's halftime warm-up. Makes me wonder how long it will be before we see him take the field for @IndyEleven after halftime.#INDvSTL

— Drew (@GenWRX6) August 18, 2019

Farias has played all season in a very wide position. He spent the entirety of this game with his heels on the touchline and Indy found him time after time, creating just 1 chance, but had 5 crosses. Pasher and Ayoze also followed suite of maintaining width, with Pasher spending more time on the right side. Putting Pasher on the right seems like an odd choice given his propensity and strength with his left foot, but it really forced defenders into the spin cycle when he cuts into the middle of the field. It's what set up his goal in the 66th minute and is something Coach Rennie has utilized from time-to-time this season.

After Pasher's goal, Indy dropped back into a pseudo bunker with Kelly the lone, dedicated, man up top and Pasher and Ilic dropping back further to help with defensive responsibilities. With Saint Louis forced to push things forward to overcome Indy's bunker, it was a long clearance from Barrett that allowed Kelly to run onto a ball and with a deft chip, put Indy up by a 2 goal lead. Kelly has struggled to find the back of the net lately so maybe that's the goal that gets him back into things. The competition for the starting forward positions may factor in to his effort as well.

With the exception of the late free kick goal by Saint Louis' Hinton in second half stoppage time to prevent the clean sheet, Indy looked like they weathered what could have been a trap game. With upcoming games against teams further up the table than Saint Louis, it was important to keep pace as much as possible and not drop points against a team in the bottom of the table. Indy did that and moved back into 4th place, with games still in hand on all of the teams ahead of them. That's a good place to be ahead of a busy end of August and September, where the games in hand will disappear.

The Game Beckons Game Ball

The substitutes; Pasher, Kelly, and Conner. All three of Indy's substitutes made an impact during their time and did exactly what you want them to do. Pasher and Kelly scored goals and new signee Conner brought a physicality during his time, including getting a yellow. Maybe not the exact detail he would have wanted in his debut, but he did what he was required to do in his role off the bench at that point in the game.

Indy Eleven vs Saint Louis FC - 06.01

- Opponent: Saint Louis FC
- Location: Saint Louis
- Attendance: ??
- Final Score: 2-1 L
- Starting XI: Newton, Hackshaw, Barrett, Ouimette, Penn, Walker, Gibson, Watson (C), Enevoldsen, Ilic, Kelly
- Substitutions: Pasher 73' (Ilic); Starikov 90' (Penn)
- Unused: Farr, Farias, King, Matern, Osmond
- Goals: Hackshaw 61' (assist Walker)
- Bookings: Hackshaw 57' (Yellow); Barrett 64' (Yellow)
- Referee: Rosendo Mendoza
- Adage goals: None

Indy Eleven kicked off the 2019 season on the road against Saint Louis FC with a nice contingent of the "Battleborn Brigade" in tow. If you're going to provide commentary for a match, do a little research and get names correct, including the one for the supporter's section. Just makes you look unprofessional.

As far as the game goes, it looks like Coach Rennie is going to start the year defensively the way that they finished last year, with a 3 back lineup. The first time that Indy played it last season was a late September game versus Tampa Bay, but Coach Rennie indicated at that time that he had wanted to employ that tactic earlier in the season, but the loss of Reiner made it difficult. It looks like he wanted to get an earlier start to using the 3 back system earlier than the 31st game of the season like last year.

The difference between this year and this game was the absence of Ayoze, who was pulled in the 18th minute of the last preseason game against Nashville, but was not listed as "official" injury for this game. However, Indy's MVP for last season didn't even make the roster for the game against Saint Louis, so I'm going to interpret that to mean that he wasn't fit to play. As a result, academy product and Indiana University signee, Josh Penn moved into the starting lineup. I'm not sure why Pasher didn't get the start, but Penn did nothing to make me think he isn't deserving. More on that in a bit. While I think Ayoze's composure and decision making were missed, it was the other side of the field that seemed to be making the bad decisions, not the 18-year old who was in his place. Ouimette, who played more minutes than another other field player from last year's team, made multiple mistakes that created chances or goals. With or without Ayoze, that was not a great game from Ouimette.

With the back 3 of Ouimette, Barrett, and Hackshaw, Coach Rennie employed dual holding midfielders in Walker and Gibson. Both pushed forward at times, but they were there to provide cover for the back three. The aforementioned Penn and Watson were the wingers, while Ilic, Enevoldsen, and Kelly rounded out the midfield and forward roles. Ilic and Enevoldsen routinely tracked back on defense, but Kelly played up top and only had 2 touches in the defensive half. It's interesting to note that spine of the defense for this game was comprised of ex-FC Cincinnati players with Newton, Barrett, Walker, and Gibson.

Indy acquired a lot of offensive firepower in the offseason in Ilic, Enevoldsen, and Kelly. Yet, less than 30 seconds after Kelly missed a penalty kick, defender Hackshaw headed home the resulting corner kick from Walker in the 61st minute. Indy then proceeded to give up goals in the 69th and 76th minutes on scramble plays where they were unable to get the ball cleared from in front of their own goal. Indy often played the short ball out of the back, including one from Hackshaw to Newton that forced him to chip the ball over a defender to get it back to Hackshaw, and those passes created some nervy moments with a high pressing team like Saint Louis. Indy tried to play out of the back last year and so this is clearly something that Coach Rennie wants to do tactically, but the regular season game speed employment of it needs some more work.

The Saint Louis' commentators felt that the result was a fair one, but I think they neglected to remember the chances that Penn created in the 1st half or the Kelly header that slammed into the crossbar early in the 2nd half. Neither team was overly clean, with some wayward passes, heavy touches, and troubles defending. Indy gets a few days to work on their issues before heading to Charlotte for their season opener and then a couple weeks off before their own home opener on March 30th. I'm going to reserve my judgement for this year's use of the 3-4-2-1 lineup for at least a couple more games and until I see it with Ayoze on the field, but I have some concerns from its use against Saint Louis.

Other notes:

- Paddy Barrett picked up a yellow card in the 64th minute on a clumsy challenge. He was also carded in 2 of the 5 preseason matches. He is shown to have received 5 cards last year so either he'll slow down on the cards or Coach Rennie has asked him to fill more of a defensive enforcer role this year.

- In Ayoze's absence, Walker took all of the corners and, I believe, all of the set piece restarts. Ayoze was missed in this aspect of the game as well.

- Coach Rennie utilized only 2 substitutes during this game, bringing on Pasher for Ilic in the 73rd minute and Starikov for Penn in the 80th minute. The remainder of the bench consisted of a back-up goalkeeper, THREE defenders (Farias, King, & Osmond), and Matern, and holding midfielder. Chasing the game, he didn't give himself many fresh legs to try and get an equalizing goal. A game day roster of 6 defenders, 3 holding midfielders, and 2 goalkeepers (11 of 18 players) doesn't give you many offensive options, but also doesn't seem out of the norm for Coach Rennie.

The Game Beckons Game Ball

As I said on Twitter, Penn "is 18 yrs old & playing in his 1st match with a professional squad on opening weekend as a starter. Adrenaline had to be thru the roof. Impressed he was able to contain it." Yet, he was the bright spot for me. He pushed forward, attacked players one-on-one, had 1/4 of the team's crosses, and created 2 chances. For a player that I assumed was signed for depth, he made a great "professional" debut. If he can continue this type of play, the Eleven are going to miss him when he leaves mid-year to enter Indiana University.