Juan Tejada Hat Trick Helps Boys in Blue to Offensive Outburst versus MLS NEXT Pro Side
For the second time this week, Indy Eleven posted a 5-1 win in spring training exhibition play at the Grand Park Events Center, this time against a step up in competition in Chicago Fire II of MLS NEXT Pro. Forward Juan Tejada bagged a hat trick during a 90-minute runout, while Robby Dambrot and Jonas Fjeldberg also tallied in the comprehensive performance.
“Today we were fantastic. Chicago came out and pressed us and worked really hard, but we broke it several times and played our football and wore them down,” said Indy Eleven Head Coach Mark Lowry. “I really enjoyed our balance today, which allowed us to keep the ball, to not concede counter attacks, and to maintain our possession. In particular areas tonight our balance was superb, and the understanding of the guys, the group, was really at a high level.”
Indy forward Sebastian Guenzatti’s near-miss just seconds after the opening whistle signaled the Eleven’s intentions from the get-go. However, Fire II captured the first shot on frame – literally – in the third minute after a foul inside the Eleven area a minute earlier resulted in a point to the penalty spot, the ensuing kick being sent squarely off the crossbar to keep things scoreless in the early going. The opening quarter-hour resulted in a spreading out of possession and chances for both sides, but the field began to tilt Indy’s way after that, and Dambrot nearly chipped the Chicago ‘keeper from 40 yards out in the 17th minute, only to see his chance float just wide.
After he flicked a free kick service inside the area just wide minutes later, Dambrot finally found his deserved goal in the 25th minute, when he accepted a Tejada pass just outside the area and slotted a low shot just inside the right post to move the scoreboard first. Dambrot nearly equaled his effort from the same spot a minute later, but it took only a couple more minutes for the Eleven to double their lead through Tejada, who ran on to Aodhan Quinn’s ball over the backline and finished low to push the lead to 2-0 in the 28th minute.
Eleven netminder Yannik Oettl didn’t have much work to do in the first half, but his diving parry of a Chicago free kick in the 33rd minute and a leaping tip save over his frame in the 40th minute stood out and helped the Boys in Blue carry their clean sheet into the halftime break.
Indy kept its foot on the gas after the break, and the halftime substitute Fjeldberg made the pressure pay off in the 57th minute, when he accepted midfielder Jack Blake’s ball into the top of the area and took a couple touches centrally before slotting inside the far post to move the lead to 3-0. On the hour mark midfielder Cam Lindley set up Tejada’s second with a square ball into space inside the area, where the Panamanian’s hard shot deflected off a defender but had enough spin to sneak inside the right post, putting things comfortably out of reach at 4-0.
The 66th minute saw Chicago scratch one across off a second chance possession that was finished off with a effort from the right side of the area that whistled under the crossbar to get Fire II on the board at 4-1. The Boys in Blue weren’t finished though, as Fjeldberg’s final pass on a counter-attack found Tejada again with space, and again his deflected shot found its rightful home to end another offensive explosion for Indiana’s Team.
“Fitness wise, understanding wise, togetherness wise, we’re in a really good spot. The guys look in great shape physically, tactically they are understanding what we require from them and implementation wise they are doing it now,” said Lowry. “It’s just going to get stronger and stronger from here, and we’ll be ready for [the season opener on] March 11th. We won’t be the final version of us because that takes time, I know that and the guys know that, but each week we keep getting better and better and that’s a really good sign.”
This afternoon’s contest was the third of five planned exhibition matches for Indiana’s Team this preseason, which will continue on the road next Saturday, February 25, with a closed-door contest against the Chicago Fire’s first team MLS outfit. The preseason leads up to Indy Eleven’s 2023 USL Championship regular season opener at the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday, March 11.
Indy Eleven will kick off the home portion of its tenth season of play – and its sixth campaign in the USL Championship – on Saturday, April 1, when the Boys in Blue welcome Las Vegas Lights FC to the Circle City for the clubs’ first-ever meeting. Single-game tickets for all home games at IUPUI Carroll Stadium along with 17-game Season Ticket Memberships, specially-priced group tickets, and an increased portfolio of hospitality options are available for purchase now via indyeleven.com/tickets or by calling 317-685-1100 during regular business hours (Mon.-Fri., 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.)
2022 Spring Preseason Exhibition
Indy Eleven 5 : 1 Chicago Fire II (MLS NEXT Pro)
Sunday, February 19, 2022
Grand Park Events Center – Westfield, Ind.
Scoring Summary:
IND – Robby Dambrot (Juan Tejada) 25’
IND – Juan Tejada (Aodhan Quinn) 28’
IND – Jonas Fjeldberg (Jack Blake) 57’
IND – Juan Tejada (Cam Lindley) 60’
CF2 – goal 66’
IND – Juan Tejada (Jonas Fjeldberg) 79’
Indy Eleven line-up: Yannik Oettl (Tim Trilk 45’); Robby Dambrot (^Guest Brazil 75’), Jesus Vazquez (Gustavo Rissi 26’), Mechack Jerome (Jesus Vazquez 45’), Younes Boudadi (^Guest Boxley 75’); Alann Torres (Aodhan Quinn 26’), Cam Lindley (^Guest Player 75’), Jack Blake (Alann Torres 75’); Sebastian Guenzatti (^Guest Crumstown 75’), Juan Tejada, Solomon Asante (Jonas Fjeldberg 45’)
^ guest player (aliases)
Indy Eleven 2023 Preseason Exhibition Schedule
Friday, Feb. 10 Indy Eleven 1 : 3 Butler University
Tuesday, Feb. 14 Indy Eleven 5 : 1 Indiana Wesleyan University
Sunday, Feb. 19 Indy Eleven 5 : 1 Chicago Fire 2 (MLS NEXT Pro)
Saturday, Feb. 25 at Chicago Fire (MLS) (closed door)
Friday, March 3 vs. Forward Madison FC (USL League One) (closed door)
