Indy Eleven continues to struggle both on and off the field

Following a captivating 2016, Tim Hankinson has struggled to get his team going in 2017

By Brian Cook

In sports, it's often difficult to find a sole person or persons responsible when something goes wrong. In business, if someone thing goes wrong, it's easy to find the culprit. If a report isn't ran it's one person who forgot it. If you hold an event and something wasn't ordered it's that department's fault. Sales numbers down? Someone call a meeting with the sales department. 

Sports, however, has the complication of not having a clear idea of who the blame sits on. Often, when results on the field are down, it's the players who are to blame. They aren't trying hard enough, they aren't doing enough, and generally failing both the coaches and fans. More often in sports coaches get the boot due to poor performance. While players actually execute the play the coaches have to get the players prepared. 

All of this considered, a group in the hierarchy of sports that goes relatively untouched is the president/owner of the team and for Indy Eleven that rests on the shoulders of Jeff Belskus and Ersal Ozdemir. 

It would be easy to place the blame on the player's shoulders for the results so far. The players are on the field. Justin Braun and Eamon Zayed score the goals. Colin Falvey and Jon Busch stop other teams from scoring. Gerardo Torrado and Brad Ring maintain the midfield. Those are what fans, coaches, and the front office expect with players that get signed. All of the players have failed to live up to those expectations so far in 2017

Circumstances haven't afforded Hankinson the same resources he had leading up to the runner up season in 2016. His assistant coach and former interim head coach Tim Regan has left the team (replaced with former Scouting Director for Chicago Fire, Trevor James). The budget for salaries has been reduced. All of this seems centered around the largest question mark so far this season and that's the future of the club under Ersal Ozdemir and Eleven club president Jeff Belskus. 

Indy Eleven and Major League Soccer:

The bid for an MLS team came as a shock to many
Photo Source

The decision for the club to apply to join Major League Soccer very much came out of nowhere. The ironic eleventh hour bid was both exciting and interesting to see as the club had been pretty quiet on any expansion plans as well as stadium talks publicly. 

The news brought excitement and a lot of chatter from both local media, national media and the fans that were thrilled to see the club strive for more. 

The bid included a shift from the model the club holds internally at the moment with MLS Indy Eleven being held together by an ownership group including members like Andy Mohr, a successful local car dealer in the Indy area. 

The ownership group would put forward the MLS expansion fee as well as other fees the league requires but largely leave the stadium's building budget to the city/state through a "public-private" partnership that confusingly as well as remarkably left a lot of people quiet and the chatter of a soccer stadium empty on the statehouse floor.

The decision for the ownership group interested many people because up to this point Ersal largely kept finances for the club to himself. Coupling the MLS bid and the finances of this season begins to, in my eyes, put a puzzle together on what could be the issue for Indy Eleven's future but no decision on any ownership group being formed for NASL's Indy Eleven seems to be included with that. 

Addressing the Hankinson Out conversation: 

Tim Hankinson has done nothing but make seers believers for a fan base that limped through the early years. While the obvious early beginning struggles didn't hurt the core fanbase for the club Hankinson's success in 2016 brought in new popularity, positivity, excitement as well as higher expectations for league play. 

Hankinson largely took a team put together in an off season and brought Indy Eleven to a place it hadn't been before. When you look at what changes have occurred between then and now you begin to see that the focus has shifted from the current team to saving money for a potential Indy Eleven MLS club. 

The Stadium continues to be the largest hangup for #IndyMLS
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One aspect that many haven't caught is the amount of soccer minds this team has lost. With the departure of Peter Wilt and Jeff Belskus arriving we saw Indy Eleven focus in on the business side while never replacing a person who understood both the business side of the game on and off the field. It's no fault of Jeff Belskus, who had success as the president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but it's been very clear from soccer-related decisions that either Belskus isn't making them or that he is and he might be over his head with understanding.

Perhaps it's optimism or naivety but it feels like Ersal has chosen to save money on the front end (current season) to put money on the back end (MLS/Stadium). It could also be a measure to salvage the existence of the team but 2017 but that's purely speculative at this point. Nevertheless the bottom line is that choices made so far for this club financially has almost put Indy Eleven at a competitive disadvantage by not allowing Tim Hankinson to have a little more liberty with his roster building and weaknesses in depth while age related may also be due to the lack of depth in the wage budget. 

Since the beginning and as it is in most sports teams, the money put in in at the start often goes unpaid for years. Owners across all major sports in the United States of America, minus elite level teams in leagues like the NFL often lose a lot before they gain a little. Owning a non-MLS professional soccer team in the United States is arguably one of the least profitable prospects for potential owners. 

Financial stability:

Neil Morris, well known for his work covering NASL, had a great piece for WRAL on the financial missteps the NASL clubs have made:

Meanwhile, the rest of the NASL now realizes business (and budgets) as usual may not be enough to win titles. It will be interesting to see how the next few years play out, whether other teams will cede championships to the well-heeled New Yorkers or (over)spend in an effort to keep up with the Cosmos … Soccer Bowl 2013 weekend was a success for the NASL. What remains to be seen is whether on-the-field success for its members now comes with a price tag many cannot afford. - Source

This isn't something new for Indy Eleven who have pumped money both into the league, the team, the stadium they currently rent on the campus of IUPUI, as well as their fans. A struggle, which has been told to be addressed in 2017 is financial stability of the league as well as financial transparency. 

No one section of Indy Eleven's team has shined so far in 2017

If the club is attempting to save money on the front end to explode onto the scene in MLS what it translates to is Hankinson's hands being tied behind his back. Hankinson, while philosophically might clash with many players was clear about his intentions and his goals for Indy Eleven taking the job. The club was clear about their intentions and goals for the club. They want a championship. It just seems like they are expecting one to to fall out of the sky rather than earn it on the field. 

In an article by Richard Farley of Four Four Two, Rishi Sehgal talks about what struggles NASL teams have gone through:

“Our owners have recognized, we need to take some measures to not be so free market,” Sehgal says. “We needs some controls. We need to have a sustainable model. Being free market can work if the market forces are perfect in a developed market situation. But in the early stages, you need some controls to adjust for market forces that can skew too heavily in one way or the other.” - Source

Let's not call for Miami FC level spending. Indy Eleven doesn't need to overspend to compete but why ask the chef to make something with ingredients you haven't given him? 

Indy Eleven is going through what can only and perhaps best be described as growing pains. It's struggled to grow and maintain the level the first season in Indianapolis brought with a sold out home attendance. 

Largely the struggle was based around where the team would play and while Michael Carroll Stadium was a great launching point the longevity of Indy Eleven in any league playing at The Mike just doesn't make sense. 

One of the core issues with the finances of the club is the lack (publically) of another partner for Ersal's ownership of the team. A new partner would give increased money, possibly more visibility (depending on who it is) and for Ozedmir, a partner to share the burden and losses of the club. Ersal's sole weight of the finances seems both irresponsible and just really short sighted. It's unclear whether the lack of a visible partner in the club's finances is by choice or not whatever the case may be it remains to be seen what the future holds for Indy Eleven as a professional team.

The stadium deal clearly wasn't what the public nor politicians were after but something needs to come from it and fast in order for Indy Eleven to recapture the magic they once held. It just seems like the rust is starting to show on the new car and the cost of wax is to expensive because all of the money was spent on the car.

For fans though, who are struggling on where to place their disappointment don't look just at the box scores. This team from any year continues to fight despite the issues behind the scene. If you are angry don't focus on just one target because while results on the field rest on the shoulders of coaches and players the results off the field rest on the president and owner and shouldn't be overlooked. Hopefully we will see a day soon where we get back to what made the club great and aren't forced to watch the creeping falling of Indiana's team.

Coach Is Pissed: Indy Eleven Struggles Continue

Photo: Lucas Carter

By: Aaron Gunyon

People get worked up over preseason.  Should they?  The teams are preparing and training and in the case of Indy Eleven they are playing all in the hopes of being ready for the actual season.  These games and practices don't count in the standings and no points are awarded from the strength of schedule.  

The team doesn't look great, but its tough to expect greatness this early on.  There are more than a few rusty players and not everyone is on the same page yet.  The average age on this team is up and there are quite a few experienced guys out there so I assume transitions ought to come more easily.

However, Injuries are mounting and this team is already dealing with unexpected obstacles and roster questions.  Projected starting LB Steven Deroux has not made it to Indianapolis.  He has had surgery for injuries sustained in training while in Wisconsin with the Milwaukee Wave.  It will be months before he takes the field wearing checkers if he ever takes the field at all.  

Dino Williams is another player that we will probably not be seeing anytime soon.  The 25 year old striker was coming off of a great season in the Red Stripe Premier League but he has yet to suit up for the team.  He was wearing jeans and sneakers for last Saturday's 1-1 clash with FC Cincinnati and he was not to be found on the bench yesterday as the team took on Louisville City FC.  Coach Hankinson revealed in a post-game interview that Williams also had surgery to injuries that prevent him from playing in the near term.  

Williams was the worst kept secret in Indy Eleven history when a Jamaican Observer article linked him to the team a solid 2 months before the official announcement.  The news of his injuries becomes more troubling when you consider Williams has worked very recently with Hankinson at Montego Bay United and he was hand picked for this squad.  Williams also currently occupies one of the seven coveted international slots that each NASL team is awarded. 

There is another signing on the way.  A Colombian.  It's an attacking player and that will raise questions about how to play with 8 international spots meaning somethings gotta give.  

Other minor knocks for players are common in preseason as most fans will be aware and most of them aren't too concerning for the long term, but nagging injuries do prevent training at 100%.  Indy Eleven are dealing with that now.  There were players like Nicki Patterson and Sinisa Ubiparipovic who were held out last week and held to limited preventative minutes against Louisville.  I do see their fitness lagging as you would expect so other players will have to step up and play a more solid game.  Gorka Larrea was out and he is another player Indy would like to have available as soon as possible.  

This most recent game continues a long trend of the Indy Eleven under performing and underwhelming in the preseason.  Indy dropped Saturday's match to visiting Lou City  0-1 and are now winless in their last four attempts.  This marks the second time Indy has been blanked by a USL side since March began.  Indy conceded first in both of last weeks 1-1 draws and failed to generate much of an attack through long spells during the most recent contest.  

Indy is now 0-3 lifetime in what I am calling the Ohio River Derby.  Its a lopsided rivalry with our neighbors to the south as they were the team to bounce the boys out of the Open Cup last summer.  

So why do we care so much? 

Coach Hankinson cares... and so does the Indy Eleven front office.  Peter Wilt, Jeff Belskus and team owner Ersal Ozedemir were all at the game yesterday.  You play like you practice and preseason is practice for the regular season.

It was quiet after the game and it was the first time that I have seen Hankinson address the team behind closed locker room doors.  A team huddle was all that was required in the center of the pitch a few days ago, but Hankinson had more to say in private on Saturday.  There was a sense that tensions were high and that expectations were not being met.  Peter Wilt had poked his head into the locker room for a short time, but appeared to let Hankinson run the show and he waited to talk to and catch up with players from just outside the doors.

It's obvious the team isn't winning and this team is yet again struggling to put balls in the back of the net, but Coach Hankinson identified some other troubling issues and he discussed those in his post game Q & A with myself and a few others.  These issues seem to nag at him a bit more than the scoreline. 

"The inability to close down opponents on the ball and around the ball faster is a big issue.  We basically allow them to play."

Hankinson elaborated and then expressed concerns over another issue.  Players are taking too many touches.  

"We have a few guys that just enjoy watching themselves play and that means they are not playing for the team.  So I am very angry about that.  And that will change because I will squeeze it out of them."

Always that calm and measured demeanor that I have come to expect from this coach but you don't have to listen long to hear the disappointment in his voice.

"Obviously this was a more reserve oriented squad and it wasn't up to the task and there will be some roster changes.  I let these players know that if they are crying looking for playing time...this is about the guys that can get it done and leave the rest to rot on the bench."

As I soak all that honesty up and glance at my phone to make sure I got it all.  I realize that the coach just spoke continuously for two plus minutes about his frustrations with the team and he hadn't been asked a single question.  Hankinson is not a man who is afraid to speak his mind.  

It does not really take a lot to knock me off my interview game but Hankinson did it early when he spoke so bluntly and without provocation.  Uncharacteristically, I started to have a bit of sympathy for these professional athletes so my first question to Hankinson had him describe who had impressed him.  

The beginnings of his reply didn't shock me when he named players like Duke Lacroix who has stood out in almost every game this preseason.  But when he steered the answer back to disappointing play, and away from the safety of my softball question, I got a much better sense of how much work is let to do before April 2nd and the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

"There were a lot of inefficient players as well that couldn't understand how to close guys down.  Couldn't cover passing angles that we have talked about tactically.  Not making the next pass...Those are the guys we have to asses more shrewdly and make some hard decisions at this point."  

This is not just preseason.  For some of these players, it might be the only season they get.  They have to perform week in and week out.  They have to attack together and defend together.  Hankinson said that was not happening  and that "Defensively we weren't good enough."

There are still some weeks left before the season kicks off but the clock is definitely ticking.  I have a feeling that its going to run out on this team and a few players before we see what Indy 3.0 can do.  I was given an indication that we would see a more first team selection for the game against Butler University on Wednesday and that we will see starters get closer to 90 minutes.  Some players will still have their time monitored closely to prevent further injury, but we should get a better sense as to where everyone shakes out. 

Where are the goals going to come from?  He thought about it and then replied.

"Not from that."

Is this team ready to face Tampa Bay on the 2nd?  The answer was the shortest of the afternoon.  

 "Not today."

Bloody Shambles Soccer Show Ep.23 - with James Cormack, Aaron Gunyon and Noah Buonanno

Noah loves his Guinness!

In Episode 23 of the Bloody Shambles Soccer Show, Jamez pays up his bet with Aaron over the Atlanta Silverbacks and also sweetens the deal with a very nice gift!

Noah Buonanno the Bloody Shambles resident musician tickles the ivories as much as possible at any given moment.

Aaron Gunyon dips into old skool with his "Bloody Shambles Rap"!

We discuss the announced schedule, new Indy Eleven Presidente Jeff Belskus and other offseason signing news.

You can follow all episodes on Soundcloud and iTunes, also follow the BS Crew on twitter @bloody_shambles or at our website Bloodyshambles.net we are also on Facebook.

Mixed Emotions: Indy Eleven Announces New Team President

Indy Eleven's New President Jeff Belskus goes from the Brickyard to the Brickyard Battalion.

By: Aaron Gunyon

The Indy Eleven have been busy in this off-season.  They have added several new players, a new head coach and now a new team president.  The team announced the hiring of retired Hulman and Company CEO Jeff Belskus on Monday afternoon.  The date coincided with a Brickyard Battalion year-end party.  It's not much of a conspiracy, but it is certainly no coincidence that Indy Eleven chose to welcome Belskus with the help of the most loyal supporters in the NASL.  However, not many were aware that today was the day...until today.  

Flat 12 Bierworks is a local brewery and a sponsor of the Eleven.  It has been the site of several big team announcements in the past, but today was different.  It was not a beer tasting or a naming and it wasn't just another introduction.  It was a goodbye.  A fact that failed to sink in for me until I sat down and began to write.  

Indy Eleven is a pro team, but it sometimes feels like a family.  This is a close group and the soccer community always seems small in this town.  Thank Peter Wilt for some of that.  He galvanized fans and brought legions together.  I see the same people tailgating in Lot B that I see and hear obnoxiously supporting Liverpool at my local soccer pub. That is not to say that all Indy fans support Liverpool, but that Indy welcomes supporters of all clubs and creeds.  Even Liverpool.  

There were fans here before and they will be here after, but somehow it feels like Wilt is the one who made it possible.  One must credit Erasal Ozdemir's vision that provides the backbone as do so many members of the front office staff, but Peter Wilt has been the soul.

"Today is bittersweet" was what my favorite Indy Eleven staff member told me in the crowded tasting room on Monday.  That was said with a new boss standing only a few feet directly behind me and an old boss just a few feet beyond that. There was a lot going on and much to process in such a short time so I doubt it has all really sunk in completely for most of the staff.  The official FO announcement was made only a few moments prior to the team's press release and that was just a few hours before this gathering. 

Wilt is going to stick around during the transition period and he is going to help with the continued lead up to the 2016 Spring Season, but he will be fully devoted to his next project very soon.  Season ticket holder number 001 is proud of his status and has no intentions of relinquishing his numerical designation, but he might not make it to many games at Carroll Stadium this year.  Perhaps he just wants first crack at season tickets at a new venue TBD.