Goalkeeper Elliot Panicco was recalled by Nashville SC from his loan with Indy Eleven earlier this week. Panicco started in goal for all 10 games for the Boys in Blue during the 2022 USL Championship campaign.
Now, the Eleven are set to replace a player who allowed an average of just one goal per game this season ahead of Saturday’s match against New Mexico United at 4 p.m. at Carroll Stadium.
While Panicco heads back to Nashville, the MLS side is sending another goalkeeper back to the Eleven in Bryan Meredith.
Head coach Mark Lowry was complimentary of the job Panicco did in goal for his squad, while remaining confident in his new goalkeeper thanks to Meredith’s 12 seasons of professional soccer experience across three countries.
“He’s experienced, he’s more experienced than Elliot was,” Lowry said after training Wednesday. “Elliot’s a great goalkeeper but Brian brings years of MLS experience, being around both leagues, playing in USL and playing in MLS.”
While Lowry believes in Meredith’s ability to lead the Boys in Blue to victory in goal, he also believes in the strength of the goalkeeping group as a whole.
“We’ve got a great group of guys in there,” Lowry said. “The goalkeeping department with Tim Trilk and Andy Swift, two great human beings as well. He’ll come in and enjoy working with them, Tim and Bryan will push each other.”
The 32-year-old Meredith signed with Nashville SC in 2021 following stints with Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Seattle Sounders FC, San Jose Earthquakes and New York Cosmos. Part of the Sounders team that won the 2019 MLS Cup, Meredith brings championship experience to the Eleven roster.
Lowry appreciates Meredith’s approach to the position, viewing him as a vocal leader on the pitch for his squad.
“In games I’ve seen him play in Tacoma on loan from Seattle Sounders, he’s very vocal,” Lowry said. “Big presence, big personality back there, which is what I love in a goalkeeper.”
Meredith’s personality is a plus for Lowry, while the goalkeeper sees his biggest contribution to the club being his reliability and mindset on the pitch.
“It’s a bit of experience and quite a bit of calmness on the backline,” Meredith said. “I’ve been playing for a while, but hopefully I can learn some new things and we can all grow as a group together.”
Making a transfer during a match week can be a difficult transition, but the experience and calmness that Meredith brings to the position make the veteran goalkeeper feel prepared for this week’s match, despite the move between clubs.
“It’s always gonna be an adjustment to know the guys,” Meredith said. “It’s a quick turnaround, but hopefully I can just learn the system. The goal is for it to not be a bump in the road and for it to just be a smooth transition.”
Lowry is similarly confident in Meredith’s ability to fit in and become acclimated with the team before its first-ever match against New Mexico United Saturday afternoon.
“In everything I’ve heard about him, he’s a great pro and a great person,” Lowry said. “He’ll fit in great, we’ve got a great group of guys in there.”
After making the four-and-a-half hour trek up I-65 from Nashville to Indianapolis Wednesday night, Meredith joined the team for training Thursday* ahead of the team’s matchup with New Mexico United.
Now officially in the Circle City for the first time, the goalkeeper is excited to get started with his new club and to play in front of the supporters.
“I’m extremely excited,” Meredith said. “This is my first time in Indianapolis, so I’m excited to get to see the stadium and the fans on Saturday, and hopefully bring home a win for everybody.”