COLORADO SPRINGS, COL. (Saturday, June 18, 2022) – Indy Eleven fought to the finish in a tough, high-scoring 4-3 defeat against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Weidner Field in Colorado Springs, Colorado. A 90th minute brace from Manuel Arteaga was not enough for the Boys in Blue, as the team fell on the road against the top team in the Western Conference.
Saturday night’s contest between Indy Eleven (6W-5L-3D) and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (11W-2L-0D) marked the first meeting ever between the two clubs, a series that the Switchbacks are now perfect all-time in. The result sees Colorado Springs extend its lead atop the Western Conference standings, while Indy Eleven remain in 7th place in the Eastern Conference and in the playoff picture despite the defeat.
After an early goal from Michee Ngalina, the first of his two for Colorado Springs, the Eleven evened things up soon thereafter thanks to a Manuel Arteaga goal scored after forcing a Colorado Springs turnover near the goal, a costly mistake for the Switchbacks. The goal was the first of two on the night for Arteaga, his fourth and fifth of the season and first since his hat trick in Charleston two weeks ago.
As the first half drew to a close, Justin Ingram was called for a foul inside the box, giving Colorado Springs a penalty, which captain Hadji Barry converted on to give his team the lead going into the break. The goal was the first penalty conceded by the Boys in Blue this season.
A blink of an eye into the second half, and the game was back to level, as Raul Aguilera scored his second goal of the season to tie things up at 2-2 in the 63’. But before either team could get too comfortable with the tie, Colorado Springs had already doubled its goal total. Zachary Zandi scored for the Switchbacks just three minutes later as Bryan Meredith could not quite recover in time to make the save. Just three minutes later, Ngalina earned his brace with a physics-defying bender from the back line, curling past Meredith for his second of the night, and securing the lead for good.
With six minutes added in stoppage time to close out the match, the Eleven attempted to mount a furious comeback and head home with at least a point, but to no avail. The Boys in Blue knocked on the door for the entirety of the closing minutes, and finally converted thanks to a rocket from Manuel Arteaga in front of the net, his second of the night, coming in the 90+6’. It was too little too late, however, with the final whistle sounding just moments later, and with Indy still trailing by a goal to the Western Conference leaders.
The Eleven will finish off a month-long, four-match road trip next Saturday night in sunny San Diego, as the Boys in Blue face San Diego Loyal SC at Torero Stadium. The match will mark the second meeting between the two sides.
Indy Eleven’s next home match will take place during the July 4th weekend, when Indiana’s Team will host Miami for their return match during its “Indy-pendence” Celebration game on Saturday, July 2. The special 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff at Carroll Stadium will be followed by a post-game fireworks display; more details on the evening’s festivities including “Bike Night at The Mike” are available at indyeleven.com/promotions.
Tickets for that holiday weekend affair – and all remaining Indy Eleven regular season contests – are available starting at just $15 and can be purchased online at indyeleven.com/tickets. Fans who cannot make it to The Mike can follow the action on MyINDY-TV 23, Exitos Radio 94.3 FM/exitos943.com, and the @IndyElevenLive Twitter feed, presented by Central Indiana Honda Dealers.
2022 USL Championship Regular Season – Matchday 14
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC 4 : 3 Indy Eleven
Wednesday, June 18, 2022
Weidner Field – Colorado Springs, Col.
Scoring Summary:
COS – Michee Ngalina (Cam Lindley) 17’, (Hadji Barry) 69’, Hadji Barry 45+1’ (P), Zachary Zandi 66’
IND – Manuel Arteaga (Nicky Law) 28’, (Bryam Rebellon) 90+6’, Raul Aguilera (Law) 63’
Disciplinary Summary:
IND – Solomon Asante (yellow card) 22’
COS – Jimmy Ockford (yellow card) 60’
IND – Mechack Jerome (yellow card) 64’
COS – Beverly Makangila (yellow card) 72’
IND – Raul Aguilera (yellow card) 75’
COS – Cameron Lindley (yellow card) 76’
COS – Dennis Erdmann (yellow card) 89’
IND – Sam Brown (yellow card) 90+4’
Indy Eleven lineup (4-4-2): Bryan Meredith; Jared Timmer (Bryam Rebellom 86’), A.J. Cochran, Mechack Jerome, Alex McQueen (Neveal Hackshaw 71’), Nicky Law (Noah Powder 72’), Raul Aguilera (Sam Brown 76’), Justin Ingram, Solomon Asante, Jonas Fjeldberg (Ayoze 70’), Manuel Arteaga
IND substitutes: Bryan Meredith (GK), Ayoze, Ecris Revolorio, Bryce Warhaft, Jonas Fjeldberg
Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (3-4-3): Jeff Caldwell; Matt Mahoney, Jimmy Ockford, Dennis Erdmann, Cam Lindley, Beverly Makangila (Macauley King 73’), Zachary Zandi, Malik Johnson (Issa Rayyann 83’), Elvis Amoh (Steven Echevarria 71’), Michee Ngalina, Hadji Barry (Kharlton Belmar 83’)
COS Substitutes: Oluwatobilba Adewole, Steven Echevarria, Issa Rayyan, Aaron Wheeler, Macauley King, Christian Herrera, Kharlton Belmar
