Indy Eleven Gameday & Match Preview
Indy Eleven v Tampa Bay Rowdies – #INDvTBR
Wednesday, September 26, 2018 – 7:00 P.M. EST
Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, IN
Watch/Listen Live:
- Local/National TV: MyINDY-TV23
- Streaming Video: ESPN+ ($)
Follow Live:
- In-game updates: Follow @IndyElevenLive on Twitter
- Official stats: USL Match Center
Week 29 | Down to the Last Four
Indy Eleven face Tampa Bay Rowdies for the second time in the 2018 season on September 26. The “Boys in Blue” were defeated 3-1 in the two team’s first meeting in Week 19.
Indy Eleven (12W-9L-9D) dropped to sixth in the Eastern Conference after falling on the road to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, 3-2. The defeat sees the point haul for “Indiana’s Team” remain at 45. Pittsburgh claimed the lead in quick succession after scoring two goals in two minutes. Forward in form Jack McInerney attempted to kick start a comeback after he scored his 10th goal of the season, but a penalty from Riverhounds’ Kenardo Forbes in the 90th minute halted the comeback. It would ultimately seal the victory, despite a Pittsburgh own goal in the 92nd minute. The 3-2 defeat is the first time Indy has conceded three goals in over a month. The three allowed brings Indy’s total goals conceded to 37 and the two scored brings the team’s goal scoring haul to 42. The loss moves the team’s record to 1W-2L-2D in the last five.
Tampa Bay Rowdies (11W-12L-7D) are 10th in the Eastern Conference with three points from a 3-0 win against Richmond Kickers bringing their points to 40 on the season. Tampa is one point off of a playoff spot and three points off of seventh in the East. Captain and defender Hunter Gorskie opened the scoring, netting the game’s first and his second of the season. Forward Jaime Chavez scored the second and his first on his debut for Tampa Bay. Junior Flemmings, Tampa’s second highest goal scorer, sealed the game in 90th minute stoppage, scoring his sixth of the season and the third of the game. The clean sheet is Tampa’s eighth of the season and third in their last five fixtures. The three-goal shutout equals Indy’s goal scoring record in 2018 with 42 goals scored. Tampa Bay is also on a bit of a hot streak, winning four of their last five games played. The Rowdies scored nine and conceded two during the five-game stretch.
Indy will face Tampa at home, where they have 7W-4L-4D record. “Indiana’s Team” is undefeated in their last five at home. They’ve scored 12 and conceded 7 inside Lucas Oil Stadium.
Indy Eleven Player to Watch | GK Owain Fon Williams
In the last five matches, Indy Eleven goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams has conceded seven goals, three of which came in the previous game against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Despite the number of goals conceded, Fon Williams has made many crucial saves in that span. The Welshman has racked up 13 saves during the stretch and one clean sheet.
One of the large reasons for the defensive success this season, especially early in the season on the road, is due to Fon Williams. He’s accumulated 73 saves and managed 10 clean sheets throughout the season, four of which came in the first four road games. To claim points from the remaining four games, the “Boys in Blue” will need Fon Wiliams to be big between the sticks.
Tampa Bay Player to Watch | FW Georgi Hristov
One of the most crucial pieces of a starting XI is a veteran forward who is a clinical finisher in front of net. For the Tampa Bay Rowdies, that forward can be found in Georgi Hristov. The 33-year-old is currently the team’s leading goal scorer with seven goals. Additionally, he’s created three goals in 2018 for his teammates.
In his last five, the Bulgarian has found the back of the net once and created one goal. His movement in the box is what makes the striker so dangerous, as he’s scored six of his seven goals from inside the box. The last time the “Boys in Blue” faced Tampa Bay, the talisman found the back of the net goal poaching in the six yard box. The back line will need to keep tabs on the forward if they are to keep a clean sheet.
Matchup to Mark | Indy’s Home Form vs. Tampa Bay’s Hot Streak
Home field advantage. Whether it’s the roar of the crowd at your back, a familiar playing surface, or the fact you get to stretch your legs and sleep in your own bed the night before a fixture, there’s something about playing at home that feels just right.
For “Indiana’s Team”, that home field feeling has got to feel pretty good right now. The “Boys in Blue” are currently on a six game unbeaten streak at home. The last time they lost inside Lucas Oil Stadium was on July 4, against Ottawa Fury FC. Since then, the team has played six fixtures at home, boasting a 4W-0L-2D record. Head coach Martin Rennie’s side has posted 14 goals and conceded eight, and earned one clean sheet. The side holds a 7W-4L-4D record when playing in the home stadium. The home success doesn’t bode well for a Tampa Bay Rowdies side that has lost eight of 14 road games, winning only four and drawing two.
Despite Tampa’s shaky road performances, where they’ve conceded 23 goals and scored 15, the Rowdies are currently on the second best five-game stretch in the Eastern Conference, winning four games in their last five played. In that stretch, the Florida side has allowed only two goals and earned three clean sheets, while finding the back of the net nine times. Forward Georgi Hristov and midfielder Junior Flemmings have led the charge as the team’s leading goal scorer and assist leader, respectively. Captain and defender Hunter Gorskie has helped to stiffen up the back line, leading the team in every defensive statistic. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Daniel Vega has been crucial between the sticks, where he’s earned the last three clean sheets for Tampa.
Rennie will need his side to continue to perform at home with only four games left in 2018. Only five points separate his sixth place Indy Eleven side from the 10th place Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Don't miss out on the last two home games of the 2018 season! Fans can grab tickets to the remaining matches at www.indyeleven.com/Tickets or by calling (317)685-1100.
Indy Eleven Gameday & Match Preview
Indy Eleven v Tampa Bay Rowdies – #INDvTBR
Wednesday, September 26, 2018 – 7:00 P.M. EST
Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, IN
Watch/Listen Live:
- Local/National TV: MyINDY-TV23
- Streaming Video: ESPN+ ($)
Follow Live:
- In-game updates: Follow @IndyElevenLive on Twitter
- Official stats: USL Match Center
Week 29 | Down to the Last Four
Indy Eleven face Tampa Bay Rowdies for the second time in the 2018 season on September 26. The “Boys in Blue” were defeated 3-1 in the two team’s first meeting in Week 19.
Indy Eleven (12W-9L-9D) dropped to sixth in the Eastern Conference after falling on the road to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, 3-2. The defeat sees the point haul for “Indiana’s Team” remain at 45. Pittsburgh claimed the lead in quick succession after scoring two goals in two minutes. Forward in form Jack McInerney attempted to kick start a comeback after he scored his 10th goal of the season, but a penalty from Riverhounds’ Kenardo Forbes in the 90th minute halted the comeback. It would ultimately seal the victory, despite a Pittsburgh own goal in the 92nd minute. The 3-2 defeat is the first time Indy has conceded three goals in over a month. The three allowed brings Indy’s total goals conceded to 37 and the two scored brings the team’s goal scoring haul to 42. The loss moves the team’s record to 1W-2L-2D in the last five.
Tampa Bay Rowdies (11W-12L-7D) are 10th in the Eastern Conference with three points from a 3-0 win against Richmond Kickers bringing their points to 40 on the season. Tampa is one point off of a playoff spot and three points off of seventh in the East. Captain and defender Hunter Gorskie opened the scoring, netting the game’s first and his second of the season. Forward Jaime Chavez scored the second and his first on his debut for Tampa Bay. Junior Flemmings, Tampa’s second highest goal scorer, sealed the game in 90th minute stoppage, scoring his sixth of the season and the third of the game. The clean sheet is Tampa’s eighth of the season and third in their last five fixtures. The three-goal shutout equals Indy’s goal scoring record in 2018 with 42 goals scored. Tampa Bay is also on a bit of a hot streak, winning four of their last five games played. The Rowdies scored nine and conceded two during the five-game stretch.
Indy will face Tampa at home, where they have 7W-4L-4D record. “Indiana’s Team” is undefeated in their last five at home. They’ve scored 12 and conceded 7 inside Lucas Oil Stadium.
Indy Eleven Player to Watch | GK Owain Fon Williams
In the last five matches, Indy Eleven goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams has conceded seven goals, three of which came in the previous game against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Despite the number of goals conceded, Fon Williams has made many crucial saves in that span. The Welshman has racked up 13 saves during the stretch and one clean sheet.
One of the large reasons for the defensive success this season, especially early in the season on the road, is due to Fon Williams. He’s accumulated 73 saves and managed 10 clean sheets throughout the season, four of which came in the first four road games. To claim points from the remaining four games, the “Boys in Blue” will need Fon Wiliams to be big between the sticks.
Tampa Bay Player to Watch | FW Georgi Hristov
One of the most crucial pieces of a starting XI is a veteran forward who is a clinical finisher in front of net. For the Tampa Bay Rowdies, that forward can be found in Georgi Hristov. The 33-year-old is currently the team’s leading goal scorer with seven goals. Additionally, he’s created three goals in 2018 for his teammates.
In his last five, the Bulgarian has found the back of the net once and created one goal. His movement in the box is what makes the striker so dangerous, as he’s scored six of his seven goals from inside the box. The last time the “Boys in Blue” faced Tampa Bay, the talisman found the back of the net goal poaching in the six yard box. The back line will need to keep tabs on the forward if they are to keep a clean sheet.
Matchup to Mark | Indy’s Home Form vs. Tampa Bay’s Hot Streak
Home field advantage. Whether it’s the roar of the crowd at your back, a familiar playing surface, or the fact you get to stretch your legs and sleep in your own bed the night before a fixture, there’s something about playing at home that feels just right.
For “Indiana’s Team”, that home field feeling has got to feel pretty good right now. The “Boys in Blue” are currently on a six game unbeaten streak at home. The last time they lost inside Lucas Oil Stadium was on July 4, against Ottawa Fury FC. Since then, the team has played six fixtures at home, boasting a 4W-0L-2D record. Head coach Martin Rennie’s side has posted 14 goals and conceded eight, and earned one clean sheet. The side holds a 7W-4L-4D record when playing in the home stadium. The home success doesn’t bode well for a Tampa Bay Rowdies side that has lost eight of 14 road games, winning only four and drawing two.
Despite Tampa’s shaky road performances, where they’ve conceded 23 goals and scored 15, the Rowdies are currently on the second best five-game stretch in the Eastern Conference, winning four games in their last five played. In that stretch, the Florida side has allowed only two goals and earned three clean sheets, while finding the back of the net nine times. Forward Georgi Hristov and midfielder Junior Flemmings have led the charge as the team’s leading goal scorer and assist leader, respectively. Captain and defender Hunter Gorskie has helped to stiffen up the back line, leading the team in every defensive statistic. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Daniel Vega has been crucial between the sticks, where he’s earned the last three clean sheets for Tampa.
Rennie will need his side to continue to perform at home with only four games left in 2018. Only five points separate his sixth place Indy Eleven side from the 10th place Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Don’t miss out on the last two home games of the 2018 season! Fans can grab tickets to the remaining matches at www.indyeleven.com/Tickets or by calling (317)685-1100.