GAMEDAY: #INDvFCE
Indy Eleven Gameday & Match Preview
Indy Eleven vs. FC Edmonton
Saturday, May 7, 2016 – 7:30 p.m. ET
Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis, IN
TEAM RECORDS:
- Indy Eleven – 2W-2D-0L, 8 pts., 4th place in NASL Spring standings
- FC Edmonton – 2W-1D-2L, 7 pts., 6th place in NASL Spring standings
- Click here for the complete NASL Spring Season standings
WATCH LIVE:
- Local TV: WISH-TV
- National TV: None
- Online: ESPN3.com
LISTEN LIVE:
- Local Radio: Exitos 1590 (Spanish)
- Online: Exitos1590.com (Spanish)
FOLLOW LIVE:
- 7:00 pm – Facebook Live “Pre-game Prep” w/ Greg Rakestraw and Brad Hauter via Indy Eleven's Facebook page
- In-game updates: Follow @IndyElevenLive on Twitter, and @IndyEleven on Snapchat and Instagram
- Live stats: Visit the NASL.com MatchCenter for in-depth Opta statistics
- Post-game interviews with Coach Hankinson and Indy Eleven “Man of the Match” on @IndyEleven Twitter channel via Periscope
MEDIA GAME NOTES:​
Last Time Out – Rayo OKC 1 : 2 Indy Eleven
More late-match drama followed the Eleven from Indianapolis to Yukon, Okla., where they faced expansion side Rayo OKC at Miller Stadium last Saturday night.
Unlike in past matches, it was the "Boys in Blue" who struck first as Jair Reinoso took a beautiful ball from Sinisa Ubiparipovic on the half-volley to put his side one-up in the seventh minute. After end-to-end stuff from both clubs, Michel notched an equalizer from a set-piece, beating Eleven netminder Jon Busch to his right-hand side just under 20 minutes later to tie things up.
Level after 45 minutes, the match evened out as “Indiana’s Team” was able to push into the attacking third more often. Eamon Zayed came closest for the visitors in the 50th minute as he forced a 1-on-1 with Daniel Fernandes, but the OKC ‘keeper showed his stuff and pushed the Irishman into a tight angle where he could not get his shot on target. The deadlock was eventually broken in the 77th minute when Indy left-back Nemanja Vukovic swept up a ball knocked down into the area from a free kick – which he set up himself on a foray up the sideline – to beat Fernandes on the far side. The goal was Vukovic’s second of the season and secured all three points for the “Boys in Blue,” who were forced to secure a lead for the first time all season.
Tight Towards the Top
With its fifth game on tap Saturday, Indy Eleven will hit the halfway mark of the ten-game Spring Season sprint when it plays host to FC Edmonton. The only team still unbeaten thus far, Indy Eleven’s eight points places it fourth in the standings, one point behind both Minnesota United FC and the New York Cosmos and four points behind the league leader, the Carolina Railhawks. Following their win over Jacksonville Armada FC on Wednesday, FC Edmonton are just one point off the pace of “Indiana’s Team,” a two-game winning streak of their own pushing the Canadian club into sixth place on seven points.
A third straight win would leave “Indiana’s Team” sitting in excellent position through six rounds of NASL play, as Indy has a game in hand on both Carolina and New York. In addition, Indy Eleven will get to host both Carolina and Minnesota for its two remaining home games following Saturday night, which makes three points against the “Eddies” all that much more pivotal for Indy’s Spring Season title hopes.
Both Sides Defensively Sound
Indy Eleven continue to boast one of the best defensive records in the league having only conceded three goals in four games played. Only Minnesota United FC have conceded less (2) while the New York Cosmos and this Saturday’s opposition FC Edmonton have also conceded just three goals.
The Canadian side have also shown their strength at the back though, having won 84.3% of their challenges while keeping three clean sheets in their five matches. While the Eleven have just one clean sheet, they haven’t conceded a goal from open play since Idan Vered put Ottawa Fury FC in front in the 56th minute of the April 9 contest at Carroll Stadium, totaling 214 minutes.
Who to Watch, Indy Eleven edition: FW Omar Gordon
Indy Eleven’s newest player, Omar Gordon, did not take long to bust his way into the lineup, as Coach Hankinson gave his former Montego Bay United sparkplug the start last Saturday at Rayo OKC in the Jamaican’s first available match. The speedy winger indeed showed glimpses of why he was brought on board, but he also had some frustrating moments that come with the territory of learning the tendencies of new teammates.
When he's on the ball, Gordon's strentgth and speed make him a downright handful, which could be magnified against an FC Edmonton side making a quick turnaround during a week-long road trip. Gordon should become more and more comfortable with his new squad with each passing week, and it will be interesting to see if he can channel his tremendous motor and knack for getting upfield in a hurry into better scoring chances this weekend against the Eddies.
Who to Watch, FC Edmonton edition: DF Albert Watson
In five games thus far, FC Edmonton has conceded only three goals – but they have also only scored three goals, two of which have come by defenders off of set pieces. Needless to say (but we’ll do it anyway) that the Eddies’ calling card is its defense, a lunch-pail-carrying unit led by captain and center back Albert Watson – who has one of said three goals on the campaign (and also scored against Indy Eleven last season).
In the 300 minutes he’s been on the field, FCE’s conceded just once … in the 150 minutes he’s missed (due to a 30’ red card in their opener at Rayo OKC), they’ve conceded twice. FC Edmonton brings a 197-shutout streak and two-game winning streak into Indianapolis, and if it intends to keep both going through Saturday the Northern Ireland native will have to shoulder the load for a team that could be weary with its second game in four days and likely be without its usual “security blanket” in front of the back four Cristian Raudales, who was injured early in their game in Jacksonville on Wednesday night.
Match-up to Mark: GK Jon Busch vs. GK Matt VanOekel
Sure, they won’t go toe-to-toe on the field against each other (barring maybe a last-minute set piece situation), but with their early season displays the pair of netminders will be the focus. VanOekel’s three clean sheets has him tied for the league lead, while his 14 saves are just one behind the league lead. Meanwhile, Busch’s organization has led to him having to make less saves (eight in four games), but has also allowed him to be the only keeper in NASL thus far to not let in multiple goals in a game – and allowed Indy Eleven to stay in each contest.
GAMEDAY: #INDvFCE
Indy Eleven Gameday & Match Preview
Indy Eleven vs. FC Edmonton
Saturday, May 7, 2016 – 7:30 p.m. ET
Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis, IN
TEAM RECORDS:
- Indy Eleven – 2W-2D-0L, 8 pts., 4th place in NASL Spring standings
- FC Edmonton – 2W-1D-2L, 7 pts., 6th place in NASL Spring standings
- Click here for the complete NASL Spring Season standings
WATCH LIVE:
- Local TV: WISH-TV
- National TV: None
- Online: ESPN3.com
LISTEN LIVE:
- Local Radio: Exitos 1590 (Spanish)
- Online: Exitos1590.com (Spanish)
FOLLOW LIVE:
- 7:00 pm – Facebook Live “Pre-game Prep” w/ Greg Rakestraw and Brad Hauter via Indy Eleven’s Facebook page
- In-game updates: Follow @IndyElevenLive on Twitter, and @IndyEleven on Snapchat and Instagram
- Live stats: Visit the NASL.com MatchCenter for in-depth Opta statistics
- Post-game interviews with Coach Hankinson and Indy Eleven “Man of the Match” on @IndyEleven Twitter channel via Periscope
MEDIA GAME NOTES:​
Last Time Out – Rayo OKC 1 : 2 Indy Eleven
More late-match drama followed the Eleven from Indianapolis to Yukon, Okla., where they faced expansion side Rayo OKC at Miller Stadium last Saturday night.
Unlike in past matches, it was the “Boys in Blue” who struck first as Jair Reinoso took a beautiful ball from Sinisa Ubiparipovic on the half-volley to put his side one-up in the seventh minute. After end-to-end stuff from both clubs, Michel notched an equalizer from a set-piece, beating Eleven netminder Jon Busch to his right-hand side just under 20 minutes later to tie things up.
Level after 45 minutes, the match evened out as “Indiana’s Team” was able to push into the attacking third more often. Eamon Zayed came closest for the visitors in the 50th minute as he forced a 1-on-1 with Daniel Fernandes, but the OKC ‘keeper showed his stuff and pushed the Irishman into a tight angle where he could not get his shot on target. The deadlock was eventually broken in the 77th minute when Indy left-back Nemanja Vukovic swept up a ball knocked down into the area from a free kick – which he set up himself on a foray up the sideline – to beat Fernandes on the far side. The goal was Vukovic’s second of the season and secured all three points for the “Boys in Blue,” who were forced to secure a lead for the first time all season.
Tight Towards the Top
With its fifth game on tap Saturday, Indy Eleven will hit the halfway mark of the ten-game Spring Season sprint when it plays host to FC Edmonton. The only team still unbeaten thus far, Indy Eleven’s eight points places it fourth in the standings, one point behind both Minnesota United FC and the New York Cosmos and four points behind the league leader, the Carolina Railhawks. Following their win over Jacksonville Armada FC on Wednesday, FC Edmonton are just one point off the pace of “Indiana’s Team,” a two-game winning streak of their own pushing the Canadian club into sixth place on seven points.
A third straight win would leave “Indiana’s Team” sitting in excellent position through six rounds of NASL play, as Indy has a game in hand on both Carolina and New York. In addition, Indy Eleven will get to host both Carolina and Minnesota for its two remaining home games following Saturday night, which makes three points against the “Eddies” all that much more pivotal for Indy’s Spring Season title hopes.
Both Sides Defensively Sound
Indy Eleven continue to boast one of the best defensive records in the league having only conceded three goals in four games played. Only Minnesota United FC have conceded less (2) while the New York Cosmos and this Saturday’s opposition FC Edmonton have also conceded just three goals.
The Canadian side have also shown their strength at the back though, having won 84.3% of their challenges while keeping three clean sheets in their five matches. While the Eleven have just one clean sheet, they haven’t conceded a goal from open play since Idan Vered put Ottawa Fury FC in front in the 56th minute of the April 9 contest at Carroll Stadium, totaling 214 minutes.
Who to Watch, Indy Eleven edition: FW Omar Gordon
Indy Eleven’s newest player, Omar Gordon, did not take long to bust his way into the lineup, as Coach Hankinson gave his former Montego Bay United sparkplug the start last Saturday at Rayo OKC in the Jamaican’s first available match. The speedy winger indeed showed glimpses of why he was brought on board, but he also had some frustrating moments that come with the territory of learning the tendencies of new teammates.
When he’s on the ball, Gordon’s strentgth and speed make him a downright handful, which could be magnified against an FC Edmonton side making a quick turnaround during a week-long road trip. Gordon should become more and more comfortable with his new squad with each passing week, and it will be interesting to see if he can channel his tremendous motor and knack for getting upfield in a hurry into better scoring chances this weekend against the Eddies.
Who to Watch, FC Edmonton edition: DF Albert Watson
In five games thus far, FC Edmonton has conceded only three goals – but they have also only scored three goals, two of which have come by defenders off of set pieces. Needless to say (but we’ll do it anyway) that the Eddies’ calling card is its defense, a lunch-pail-carrying unit led by captain and center back Albert Watson – who has one of said three goals on the campaign (and also scored against Indy Eleven last season).
In the 300 minutes he’s been on the field, FCE’s conceded just once … in the 150 minutes he’s missed (due to a 30’ red card in their opener at Rayo OKC), they’ve conceded twice. FC Edmonton brings a 197-shutout streak and two-game winning streak into Indianapolis, and if it intends to keep both going through Saturday the Northern Ireland native will have to shoulder the load for a team that could be weary with its second game in four days and likely be without its usual “security blanket” in front of the back four Cristian Raudales, who was injured early in their game in Jacksonville on Wednesday night.
Match-up to Mark: GK Jon Busch vs. GK Matt VanOekel
Sure, they won’t go toe-to-toe on the field against each other (barring maybe a last-minute set piece situation), but with their early season displays the pair of netminders will be the focus. VanOekel’s three clean sheets has him tied for the league lead, while his 14 saves are just one behind the league lead. Meanwhile, Busch’s organization has led to him having to make less saves (eight in four games), but has also allowed him to be the only keeper in NASL thus far to not let in multiple goals in a game – and allowed Indy Eleven to stay in each contest.