Goals by Guenzatti & Asante Not Enough to Gain Points at Carroll Stadium
INDIANAPOLIS (Saturday, April 22, 2023) – Indy Eleven registered its first multi-goal game in league play in 2023, but the offensive effort wasn’t enough as Monterey Bay F.C. scratched across a pair in the second half to down Indy to a 2-3 loss at IUPUI Carroll Stadium.
The first goals of the season by Eleven forwards Solomon Asante and Sebastian Guenzatti in the first half helped Indiana’s Team overcome an early deficit and take a 2-1 lead into the halftime break. However, MBFC tallies by Christian Volesky and Nevello Yoseke five minutes apart midway through the second stanza gave the visitors the full three points, dooming the Boys in Blue to a third straight defeat in regular season action after a win and two draws to start the campaign.
Indy had grown accustomed to bossing possession with a league-leading 66% rate heading into the match, but the first half played out in a near statistical dead heat in that and most other categories. It was Monterrey striking first in the 17th minute, when defender Grant Robinson accepted Alex Dixon’s pass and slotted a low shot past diving Indy netminder Yannik Oettl and inside the right post.
An Indy squad that had yet to push across a goal in the first half changed that quickly to even the score in the 23rd minute through Asante. The shortest man on the pitch found space between defenders to get on the end of Aodhan Quinn’s pinpoint corner kick service to the six, his header to the back post leaving MBFC goalkeeper Carlos Herrera stranded and allowing the Brickyard Battalion to pop off smoke in celebration of a home goal for the first time in league play in 2023.
Asante then played provider on Indy’s second five minutes before halftime. The Ghanaian playmaker bent an inch-perfect ball behind the backline for Guenzatti to run onto, and his one-touch finish kissed off the right post and in to give Indy a 2-1 lead it would carry into halftime.
The second half began as a bit of a stalemate in midfield, but the 57th minute saw things break wide open on a play that began with defender Morey Doner’s lengthy run up the center channel. A short slip pass to Volesky at the top of the area set up a shot from 14 yards that nestled into the upper left corner to tie things heading into the hour mark. In the 62nd minute the visitors took advantage of an errant ball out of the back to start a quick counter-attack that ended four touches later with Yoseke’s shot from a similar distance that beat Oettl to the right post, once again giving MBFC the lead at 3-2.
Oettl came up big in the 71st minute, when he stood tall at his left post to chest away Chase Boone quick turning effort from the six. Indy saw its best chance of the half go wanting in the 76th minute, when nice work from substitute striker Harrison Robledo inside the area helped to set up Asante, whose attempt to pick out the upper right corner narrowly missed. Cam Lindley’s bending free kick from 35 yards out in the 87th minute looked threatening but ultimately didn’t force a save out of Herrera, and from there MBFC saw out the match to claim the full three points.
Next up, Indiana’s Team returns to Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup action this Wednesday, April 26, with a trip east on I-70 to take on Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew SC. The Eleven’s first competitive match against MLS opposition since the 2016 tournament is set for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff at Lower.com Field.
Then the Boys in Blue will then return to league play next Saturday, April 29, closing out a busy month at “The Mike” by hosting Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC for a 7:00 p.m. ET kickoff on “Kick Cancer Night” at Carroll Stadium (live on MyINDY-TV 23, ESPN+ and Exitos Radio 94.3 FM).
Single-game tickets for all home games at IUPUI Carroll Stadium along with prorated 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.)
USL Championship Regular Season
Indy Eleven 2 : 3 Monterey Bay F.C.
Saturday, April 22, 2023
Michael A. Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis, Ind.
Indy Eleven: 1W-3L-2D, 5 pts.
Monterey Bay F.C.: 3W-2L-2D, 11 pts
Scoring Summary:
MB – Grant Robinson (Hugh Dixon) 17’
IND – Solomon Asante (Aodhan Quinn) 23’
IND – Sebastian Guenzatti (Solomon Asante) 40’
MB – Christian Volesky (Morey Doner) 58’
MB – Nevello Yoseke (Christian Volesky) 63’
Discipline Summary:
IND – Jack Blake (caution) 46+’
IND – Douglas Martinez (caution) 78’
MB – Chase Boone (caution) 85’
Indy Eleven line-up (4-3-3): Yannik Oettl; Bryam Rebellon, Robby Dambrot, Jesus Vazquez, Younes Boudadi (Mechack Jerome 68’); Aodhan Quinn (Juan Tejada 85’), Cam Lindley, Jack Blake (Harrison Robledo 68’); Sebastian Guenzatti (captain), Jonas Fjeldberg (Douglas Martinez 37’), Solomon Asante
Indy subs: Tim Trilk (GK)
Monterey Bay F.C. line-up (4-3-3): Carlos Herrera; Kai Greene, Grant Robinson, Morey Doner, Hugh Roberts (captain); Mobi Fehr, Nevello Yoseke (Walmer Martinez 84’), Adrian Rebollar; Chase Boone, Alex Dixon, Christian Volesky (Jason Johnson 68’)
Monterey Bay subs: Antony Siaha (GK), Max Glasser, Alex Lara, Jesse Maldonado, Jesus Enriquez
