PREVIEW:
Indy Eleven Gameday & Match Preview
Indy Eleven vs FC Edmonton – #INDvFCE
Saturday, May 6, 2017 – 7:30 P.M. EST
Michael A. Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis, Indiana
Watch/Listen Live:
- Local TV: MyINDY TV-23
- Streaming Video: ESPN3
Follow Live:
- In-game updates: Follow @IndyElevenLive on Twitter
- Official stats: NASL Opta MatchCenter
Match Notes:
Indy Eleven Notes
FC Edmonton Notes
THE EDDIES RETURN TO INDY
“Indiana’s Team” makes their return to Carroll Stadium this Saturday as the “Fight for Three” continues on home turf against Canadian rivals FC Edmonton. From the two sides’ first meeting in Spring 2014, Indy has held a diverse record when it comes to competition against the Eddies (3W-2D-4L, plus one postseason win).
Despite forward Justin Braun’s Player of the Month performance and Indy’s position among the top three highest scoring clubs, Indy currently sits in sixth place after each of the club’s first five matches resulted in a draw. While the last regular season match against Edmonton ended in a 2-1 loss away from home, the “Boys in Blue” will continue to fight for NASL supremacy and seek redemption for lost points in previous encounters.
FC Edmonton currently sits at the bottom of the 2017 table with three points and a record of 1W-0D-4L. Edmonton’s visit to the Circle City this Saturday will mark the end of a three-game travel week for the visitors. Prior to their match with Indy, Edmonton has lost 2-0 away at Miami FC during regular season play and a 1-0 defeat away to former Canadian NASL rivals Ottawa Fury FC in leg one of the Canadian Cup Championship. This Saturday also marks the third out of six games the Canadian side will have to play within a 14-day time span. This bombardment of matches bodes well for Eleven head coach Tim Hankinson, who hopes that his side can have a leg up on their competitors in the rest column.
“Any team that plays in Miami in the heat and humidity, and has to travel internationally from Canada to that tip of the U.S., and then return, and then have to play against really what is an archrival team in Ottawa in the Canadian Cup…traveling again internationally here, the weather conditions won’t be an issues for them, but it takes something out of the team,” detailed Hankinson. “We’ve tried to manage our training to be as fresh as possible come Saturday because I think that fresh legs will be the difference maker.”
WHO TO WATCH INDY ELEVEN EDITION: DF LOVEL PALMER
After a Team of the Week performance in Week 6 against Jacksonville, Jamaican defender Lovel Palmer looks to continue to fortify Indy Eleven’s backline. Away to Armada FC, Palmer's performance saw the NASL veteran accumulate a total of five clearances out of dangerous territory, five interceptions, a shot within the opposition’s box, and win 60-percent of his duels and while completing over three-fourths of his passes. The former Chicago Fire SC man now finds himself among the list of top players to complete clearances with 22 total for his season so far.
This Saturday is projected to be Palmer’s first start against Edmonton on home turf, which his last performance against the visitors at home on July 23, 2017, saw the defender play eight minutes after subbing in for former Eleven midfielder Dylan Mares in the 82nd minute.
WHO TO WATCH FC EDMONTON EDITION: FW TOMI AMEOBI
England native and former Leeds United forward Tomi Ameobi returns for his fourth season with FC Edmonton. Since his arrival in Canada in 2015, Ameobi has tallied over 3,900 minutes of playtime over the span of 53 games and has netted 10 goals and three assists, making him the leading goalscorer for the current Eddies squad. During his breakout season in 2015, the Newcastle United youth product finished as co-leader in scoring with seven goals under his belt. In 2017, Ameobi has started the first five matches of Edmonton’s Spring season and has racked up a single goal for the Canadian side.
Since August 2015, Ameobi has made a total of five appearances (four in regular season play & one in The 2016 Championship Semifinal) and has only managed one goal for his side in 358 minutes against the “Boys in Blue."
MATCH-UP TO MARK: FW JUSTIN BRAUN vs. DF ALBERT WATSON
Earning NASL Player of the Month for the month of April, Justin Braun will be battling Albert Watson, one of Edmonton’s longest serving players in their current squad, for his position in the visitor’s box this Saturday when the "man on fire" clashes with the Irishman.
Out of the six goals scored by "Indiana's Team" on the season, Braun has been involved with all but one (three goals, two assists). In Week 6, Braun netted his 11th career goal for Indy in the 25th minute against Jacksonville Armada FC, which led him past former Eleven “original” Dylan Mares to claim second place on the club’s top goalscoring charts. Forward Eamon Zayed, who led the way in scoring in Indy’s 2016 campaign, has now been responsible for two (one goal, one assist), both of which have been linked with Braun. The striking duo’s interplay in front led Indy Eleven to a 2016 Spring Championship title and helped the club finish runner-up in the 2016 Championship finals, and the forwards are looking to improve upon their record.
Watson signed for FC Edmonton back in 2013 and has made full 90-minute appearances in seven of the nine regular season matches the Eddies have played against Indy. The U-23 Ireland National Team member currently sits in sixth place among the top players with 25 total clearances to his name. The former Linfield FC player also has completed over 80-percent of his passes, won four-fifths of his tackles and has provided a defensive wall with six blocks. The defender and his staunch protective nature will prove to be an obstacle for any attacker who crosses his path.
PREVIEW:
Indy Eleven Gameday & Match Preview
Indy Eleven vs FC Edmonton – #INDvFCE
Saturday, May 6, 2017 – 7:30 P.M. EST
Michael A. Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis, Indiana
Watch/Listen Live:
- Local TV: MyINDY TV-23
- Streaming Video: ESPN3
Follow Live:
- In-game updates: Follow @IndyElevenLive on Twitter
- Official stats: NASL Opta MatchCenter
Match Notes:
Indy Eleven Notes
FC Edmonton Notes
THE EDDIES RETURN TO INDY
“Indiana’s Team” makes their return to Carroll Stadium this Saturday as the “Fight for Three” continues on home turf against Canadian rivals FC Edmonton. From the two sides’ first meeting in Spring 2014, Indy has held a diverse record when it comes to competition against the Eddies (3W-2D-4L, plus one postseason win).
Despite forward Justin Braun’s Player of the Month performance and Indy’s position among the top three highest scoring clubs, Indy currently sits in sixth place after each of the club’s first five matches resulted in a draw. While the last regular season match against Edmonton ended in a 2-1 loss away from home, the “Boys in Blue” will continue to fight for NASL supremacy and seek redemption for lost points in previous encounters.
FC Edmonton currently sits at the bottom of the 2017 table with three points and a record of 1W-0D-4L. Edmonton’s visit to the Circle City this Saturday will mark the end of a three-game travel week for the visitors. Prior to their match with Indy, Edmonton has lost 2-0 away at Miami FC during regular season play and a 1-0 defeat away to former Canadian NASL rivals Ottawa Fury FC in leg one of the Canadian Cup Championship. This Saturday also marks the third out of six games the Canadian side will have to play within a 14-day time span. This bombardment of matches bodes well for Eleven head coach Tim Hankinson, who hopes that his side can have a leg up on their competitors in the rest column.
“Any team that plays in Miami in the heat and humidity, and has to travel internationally from Canada to that tip of the U.S., and then return, and then have to play against really what is an archrival team in Ottawa in the Canadian Cup…traveling again internationally here, the weather conditions won’t be an issues for them, but it takes something out of the team,” detailed Hankinson. “We’ve tried to manage our training to be as fresh as possible come Saturday because I think that fresh legs will be the difference maker.”
WHO TO WATCH INDY ELEVEN EDITION: DF LOVEL PALMER
After a Team of the Week performance in Week 6 against Jacksonville, Jamaican defender Lovel Palmer looks to continue to fortify Indy Eleven’s backline. Away to Armada FC, Palmer’s performance saw the NASL veteran accumulate a total of five clearances out of dangerous territory, five interceptions, a shot within the opposition’s box, and win 60-percent of his duels and while completing over three-fourths of his passes. The former Chicago Fire SC man now finds himself among the list of top players to complete clearances with 22 total for his season so far.
This Saturday is projected to be Palmer’s first start against Edmonton on home turf, which his last performance against the visitors at home on July 23, 2017, saw the defender play eight minutes after subbing in for former Eleven midfielder Dylan Mares in the 82nd minute.
WHO TO WATCH FC EDMONTON EDITION: FW TOMI AMEOBI
England native and former Leeds United forward Tomi Ameobi returns for his fourth season with FC Edmonton. Since his arrival in Canada in 2015, Ameobi has tallied over 3,900 minutes of playtime over the span of 53 games and has netted 10 goals and three assists, making him the leading goalscorer for the current Eddies squad. During his breakout season in 2015, the Newcastle United youth product finished as co-leader in scoring with seven goals under his belt. In 2017, Ameobi has started the first five matches of Edmonton’s Spring season and has racked up a single goal for the Canadian side.
Since August 2015, Ameobi has made a total of five appearances (four in regular season play & one in The 2016 Championship Semifinal) and has only managed one goal for his side in 358 minutes against the “Boys in Blue.”
MATCH-UP TO MARK: FW JUSTIN BRAUN vs. DF ALBERT WATSON
Earning NASL Player of the Month for the month of April, Justin Braun will be battling Albert Watson, one of Edmonton’s longest serving players in their current squad, for his position in the visitor’s box this Saturday when the “man on fire” clashes with the Irishman.
Out of the six goals scored by “Indiana’s Team” on the season, Braun has been involved with all but one (three goals, two assists). In Week 6, Braun netted his 11th career goal for Indy in the 25th minute against Jacksonville Armada FC, which led him past former Eleven “original” Dylan Mares to claim second place on the club’s top goalscoring charts. Forward Eamon Zayed, who led the way in scoring in Indy’s 2016 campaign, has now been responsible for two (one goal, one assist), both of which have been linked with Braun. The striking duo’s interplay in front led Indy Eleven to a 2016 Spring Championship title and helped the club finish runner-up in the 2016 Championship finals, and the forwards are looking to improve upon their record.
Watson signed for FC Edmonton back in 2013 and has made full 90-minute appearances in seven of the nine regular season matches the Eddies have played against Indy. The U-23 Ireland National Team member currently sits in sixth place among the top players with 25 total clearances to his name. The former Linfield FC player also has completed over 80-percent of his passes, won four-fifths of his tackles and has provided a defensive wall with six blocks. The defender and his staunch protective nature will prove to be an obstacle for any attacker who crosses his path.