Purgatory: Indy Eleven vs. FC Edmonton Review (5/6/2017)

Exactly how it feels. Photo: James Cormack

By: Jordan Kalt

Three games in eight days. Thousands of miles of international travel.

Such was the weight of exhausted repetition on FC Edmonton’s shoulders. And yet, somehow, the Eddies came out and looked much like the defensive squad of yesteryear.

Indy Eleven’s perpetual challenges took a different but familiar shape. With what felt like nearly half the roster once again sidelined due to injury, Indy's starters didn’t have to begin the match fighting physical exhaustion in the same way as Edmonton. It was more a question of going full-90' with a will to win and break out of this drawn out agony.

At the end, I believe they were found having rightly given all they had. Pulled up and clutching their knees alongside the weary Canadian travelers, the Eleven exhausted their options and their energy, but without a win to show for it.

How many times must we repeat this?

Turn! Turn! Turn!

To everything a season. Exhaustion is a complicated season. It’s both physical and mental. Though they've never sprinted along the pitch for a single minute outside of the club's first home win, you can still tell supporters are in a state of exhaustion. Endless draws.

Six in a row.

The players are there, too. As much as the fans may want a win, nobody is as sick and tired of drawing these games as individuals on the Eleven's squad.

Then There Were Positives

Edmonton came out with strength and conviction but Indy Eleven absorbed the pressure until they were able to begin bending it back on their opponents near the end of the first half.

Keeper, Jon Busch, and center back, Colin Falvey, seem comfortably inside their old groove again. Our defensive shape and organization was at a season best. This is directly attributable to Busch and Falvey’s leadership and communication, though Daniel Keller deserves a very special mention of his own for a remarkably good night filling in for the injured Vukovich.



Likewise, Indy’s midfield worked themselves into good shape after a slow start. Aerial duels began falling consecutively to the home side near the middle of the match as Edmonton’s fatigue started to show and experienced stalwarts such as Torrado and Ring tightened the screws.

In this area of the pitch Ubiparipovic has really come into his own. The long injuries and uncertainty of last season are behind him and he appears to have that number ten role all to himself again. His masterful feeds have been key in seeing the team build play from the center midfield and the top of the box, dynamics which were decidedly on display Saturday evening. May the nights of forty hopeful crosses into the box never be seen again.

And it must be said that on the front lines, Justin Braun and Eamon Zayed have never looked better. Their link-ups have become multifaceted and much more reciprocal. In this match, Braun developed a particularly titanic struggle with Edmonton center back, Pape Diakite, which every Eleven supporter was dying to see end in a self-satisfied goal.

The Wise and Dissatisfied

With a significantly shortened deck of players, Hankinson pushed the starting eleven as far as he possibly could and their conditioning held up well under the pressure. It was just before the 80th minute when the coach put in his first sub, newcomer, Jason Plumhoff, who made a notable impact.

Hopefully Plumhoff will be yet another in a stellar series of player acquisitions by Tim Hankinson this year. The player budget has been notably reduced for 2017, but Hankinson has made the best of it. Yes, there have been many injuries which have certainly cost us early on and roster depth has been a constant struggle. But I never would have thought the team’s record would survive so many big-name injuries as it has and that is all thanks to Hankinson’s eye for talent and congruent pieces.

A retention like Daniel Keller may have seemed a small thing in the offseason but could become a linchpin with Vukovich out now. Similarly, inconspicuous additions like Tanner Thompson and Jason Plumhoff promise to keep the club hungry and in the hunt through the rest of this injury stretch.

Tanner wants more. Eddies say, "no." Photo: James Cormack

You Already Know How This Will End

Following a well-earned yellow card early in the match, Brad Ring got tangled with a flailing opponent in the 90th and was shown his second card and a path off the field. What hopes the Eleven may have had of a last second victory seemed to dissipate with the shift to a ten man lineup.

The final attempt of the match fell inside the box to Justin Braun and as he lowered himself for the hopeful, traffic-jammed guess at a bicycle kick, the play at once became a fitting analogy for the overall feelings of these first six games.

We are doing so much right. We are so often in the right place and at the right time.

And we're still stuck in this cycle.

The win still hasn't come.

But I will say this... as healthy players begin returning over the next few weeks, some unlucky club is going to find themselves on the receiving end of a very angsty and talented Indy Eleven team. It will come.

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Post match reactions from Colin Falvey, Tim Hankinson and Justin Braun. Also available on iTunes and Stitcher, search for "Bloody Shambles Soccer"

San Francisco Deltas V Indy Eleven REVIEW (3/25/2017)

Tanner Thompson helped Indy Eleven avoid defeat on his debut

By: James Cormack

Not for the first time in their history, Indy Eleven were the guests at the inaugural match of an NASL expansion team. San Francisco Deltas came into this game with all the vim and vigor of a team bursting with excitement to get their season under way.

Indy Eleven had their own preparation problems to deal with going into the game and there was much deliberation amongst supporters and pundits alike about who would or should start in this match.

Injury issues with Colin Falvey and Lovel Palmer left Tim Hankinson no option but to play with an unfamiliar back four, specifically the center back pairing of Daniel Keller and Kwame Watson-Siriboe.

As mentioned in our last couple of blogs pertaining to roster development and pre-season play there were some concerns about how the more defensive looking midfield setup of Indy Eleven would translate into service and goal scoring opportunities for our attack.

Despite the advertised 4-4-2 formation for Indy Eleven it appeared we were set up and played more like a 4-5-1 (4-2-3-1) with debutant Tanner Thompson playing in behind Just Braun in attacking midfield. Ben Speas and Don Smart played wide left and right while Brad Ring and Gerardo Torrado filled the defensive midfield roles.

Last minute lineup changes made our task of finding goals look even more of a challenge. Éamon Zayed was dropped to the bench in favor of a single striker formation, splitting the usually productive pairing of Braun and Zayed in attack.

Indy Eleven's bench consisted of only four outfield players, Siniša Ubiparipovic, Craig Henderson, Anthony Manning and Éamon Zayed. Keith Cardona took the reserve keeper slot giving Indy five bench players. English forward David Goldsmith was ineligible while awaiting a work permit.

Opening night a good draw...




I had settled for taking a point in this game before it even started, obviously three points would be nice but coming out of pre-season into an opening night game away from home against an opponent we have very little knowledge about keeps the result acceptable to me.

It was not a pretty game by any means and this has to be expected. If I cast my mind back to July 2016 in Puerto Rico when we were the willing guests in PRFC's inaugural home match, it was not entirely different to this game and probably one of the worst games I have seen Indy play despite an undefeated and successful Spring season, Indy had to force a 1-1 draw with a late equalizer from Souleymane Youla.

San Francisco played the match with all the eagerness and heavy challenges you would expect from a new team on their opening night. The home side's enthusiasm was rewarded in the 31st minute when Kyle Bekker redirected an assist from Danny Cruz past Jon Busch into the Indy net.

It would be easy to assume and apportion blame on an untested Indy back four but it did all appear a little too easy for San Francisco. Deltas full back Kenny Tiejsse advance on the left side drawing Marco Franco with him, while Danny Cruz took up position in the corner drawing Kwame Watson-Siriboe away from center. The eventual cross from Cruz was not closed down and Bekker met the ball unchallenged, splitting the remaining defenders and side footed into the net for San Francisco's very first NASL goal.

San Francisco held their lead going into the half time break but lost it early in the second half. In a similar situation to the opening goal Indy Eleven found good space on the left side through Ben Speas who delivered a beautiful ball into the box that found Tanner Thompson, with his back to defense Tanner was able to head the ball into the left of the net whilst under pressure and going to ground.

It was a great opening goal for young player making his debut, Tanner Thompson did not once look in any way overawed or nervous in his first professional appearance. It brought Indy Eleven back level in the game in the 58th minute with ample time to try and push for a second.

Éamon Zayed entered the game along with new signing Craig Henderson in the 77th minute replacing Tanner Thompson and Ben Speas but the game would not see another goal. Zayed had a good look in the 90th minute but his header from a Don Smart cross went wide of goal. Both sides came away from the game with a point, not even 6 minutes of added time was enough for either side to break the deadlock.

Overall thoughts...

Kwame Watson-Siriboe one of several players making their NASL debut for Indy Eleven

The most valuable thing outside of taking a point on the road for Indy Eleven in this game is returning home with knowledge of a team we have never played against before. The match was not a great one to watch but we know more about an opponent we will play again at home in a few weeks time.

Tim Hankinson will probably be satisfied with performances from some of the new Boys in Blue, most notably Tanner Thompson, Ben Speas and Kwame Watson-Siriboe and how they perform under league match pressure. While some might wonder about our signings for 2017, Thompson made it clear despite having no professional experience he is not here just to make up numbers and he grabbed his debut chance by the throat.

I am sure some would like to see bigger name signings and a more impressive start. Remember where we began in 2014 with unknown players like Dylan Mares, his approach and attitude given a chance at professional soccer was exemplary and he was included in the starting lineup for Miami FC yesterday ahead of a midfield roster packed with talent. Tanner Thompson could well turn out to be the most shrewd signing of the off season.

Ben Speas worked well in the left side role and provides the same kind of enthusiasm and aggressiveness in midfield as we have seen from aforementioned Dylan Mares in previous years and this will only improve with more competitive game time.

Kwame looks to be a very confident player at center back and also dangerous at corners and set pieces, when Indy Eleven does see the return of Colin Falvey I think they will be a very formidable pairing.

This time last year most people felt that Indy were not ready for the season to begin, we went to Tampa Bay and came home without defeat and continued with a couple of disappointing draws before finding their feet. There have been several changes and we likely will need some time before we find our best combination and formation again.

It's very early and nothing from this game can possibly give an indication of how Indy Eleven's year is going to go. What we already know from previous experience of Tim Hankinson's team is they won't ever give up on a game so it's difficult to be cynical or disappointed with one point from this game. It's just the beginning and we are on top of the table.

Top four standings after the opening three matches all ended in draws.

Indy Eleven V Louisville City FC Review (3/18/2017)

Nemanja Vukovic's late wonder strike keeps Indy Eleven unbeaten in pre-season.

By: James Cormack

One week before Indy Eleven and Louisville City's respective seasons begin the two teams met in Evansville to shake off the last remnants of offseason rust and prepare their teams for competitive football. Indy Eleven will play San Francisco Deltas next Saturday evening while Louisville entertain St. Louis in an afternoon kick off in their USL home opener.

Indy Eleven started the game with a mostly recognizable lineup. With the absence of the recovering Colin Falvey the starting back four in front of Jon Busch consisted of Marco Franco at right, Lovel Palmer and Kwame Watson-Siriboe at center and Nemanja Vukovic at left back.

Brad Ring wore the captain's armband and partnered Gerardo Torrado in center midfield with Siniša Ubiparipović at right midfield and Ben Speas out left. Éamon Zayed and Justin Braun made up the front two.

Don Smart, Craig Henderson, Anthony Manning, Keith Cardona, Christian Lomeli, Daniel Keller, Tanner Thompson and an un-named trial player made up the bench. A quick spot of google searching leads us to believe the unknown player was David Goldsmith formerly of Butler Mens Soccer (correct me if I am wrong). There was no sign of Dino Williams or Cory Miller at the game.

Éamon Zayed had a superbly chipped goal crossed off, appeared onside to everyone but the linesman.

In the first half chances were few and far between for Indy Eleven, the work rate was there but the 4-4-2 formation seemed very flat to me and not a lot of creative play. Marco Franco and Vukovic worked well in moving the ball forward into attacking areas with Ben Speas and Ubiparipović working well in combination with the backs.

Indy Eleven's best chance came from a forward pass by Vukovic to Zayed who appeared to be onside when the pass was made and chipped the ball over Louisville keeper Gregory Ranjitsingh and into the back of the net. Zayed was called offside by the linesman.

Louisville City had three good chances on target at the other end but Jon Busch was more than a match for their strikes. Louisville were very fast on counter attack and gave Indy Eleven a lot of trouble at the back positions from the start especially on our left side. Both sides drew a blank and went in 0-0 at half time.

The refereeing was at times a little suspect, but it was a pre season game. Brad Ring picked up a ridiculous yellow after making a challenge and playing the ball against his opposing player who went down over it, there was no real contact with the player.

Former IU midfielder Tanner Thompson put in a solid second half shift.

Indy Eleven made one substitution at half time bringing on Don Smart into the right midfield and removing Justin Braun which allowed them to move Ubiparipović into a more attacking role. Smart looked as sharp as ever in the second half causing trouble for the Louisville back line at every available opportunity.

The second half saw two goals, one for either side. The first came for LCFC after they were awarded a penalty from a Lovel Palmer tackle inside the box for which he received a yellow card. Lovel was a little lucky not to see a second yellow only a few minutes later after somewhat heavy challenge on the right side of midfield. Cameron Lancaster delivered from the spot kick past Jon Busch to put his side 1-0 up in the 52nd minute.

The rest of the game for Indy was mostly about giving players game time. Tanner Thompson came on shortly after Don Smart and looked very impressive for his time on the field, pacey, aggressive and and always willing to run at defenders.

Craig Henderson looked very composed, found good position and closed his opposition down well and looks like he could prove to be a very valuable signing. Keith Cardona, Daniel Keller, Anthony Manning and trialist David Goldsmith all saw game time as well.

As we saw many times in 2016, Indy Eleven proved once again they are never a team to give up on a game at any point and Nemanja Vukovic caught on to a bobbling ball outside of the Louisville 18yd box and cracked a beautiful shot into the far right corner of the net. Probably one of the best goals I have seen scored by an Indy Eleven player and scored right before the final whistle to pull off the draw for Indy Eleven.

Don Smart and trialist David Goldsmith (?) causing trouble for the Louisville back line.

Overall thoughts

I am a little unsure if this is the best formation or lineup I have seen, it is the first time I have seen the team in preseason but I think the the way we played is a little too flat. There was very little being done creatively in the middle behind the forwards and most of our chances were being created from runs into the corners.

Last year it took a few games to find the right model and I think we may see the same again this year. Hankinson has proved in the past he has no problems shaking things up even during a game, so I am not overly worried about it. For me everything was overly defensive and not enough spark in attack.

As far as being match ready the overall condition of the players and work rate seems to be there and cannot fault anyone for lack of effort, we defended well in all ares of the field and on the whole quick to close down our opposition. If I look back on how we looked going into the first game at Tampa last year, the difference this year in fitness an condition is not comparable, we look much more like a team ready for 90 minutes of competitive league play.

Most outstanding player from this game for me was probably Marco Franco, his work ethic was unquestionable in defense and attack. A lot of penetration in the opposition half taking the ball to their defense and interplay with team mates was very good throughout the whole game. Honorable mention to Ben Speas for outstanding work rate on the left side, I still think from a distance he looks like Dylan Mares.

With Colin Falvey still recovering I am a little concerned about the back line in front of goal. Lovel Palmer has a lot of strength and aggressiveness and is solid at right back, but I am a little uncomfortable with him inside the box, he could easily have been red carded yesterday and that could be a problem in competitive games going down to ten men and losing a central defender. Will require a little more caution in a real league match which I think we will see.

We are ready! Only competitive games will allow us to find the right combinations for this roster but I have no doubts we are still a team that will be very difficult to beat once this all kicks off for real.

Marco Franco is probably a worthy nominee for Man of The Match in Evansville.