Challenging Braun and Zayed key for Indy Eleven in 2017

Braun lived up to his last name by providing support for Zayed

By Brian Cook
It goes without saying 2016 was an unbelievable year for Indy Eleven fans. No one truly foresaw Tim Hankinson's first season as head coach for Indy Eleven to be as success as it was. The club's first silverware and first championship game brought fans out from everywhere and the quality of the on-field action was at an all time high thanks to the strike partnership of Eamon Zayed and Justin Braun.

The successful pairing of Eamon Zayed and Justin Braun came from the shift in formations from the first three games. Zayed struggled to connect with the three attacking midfielders in the 4-2-3-1 that the club was playing and as a result Braun moved in next to Zayed and acted as a connecter for the midfield and attacking side.

As a result of the pairing Indy saw it's best season from forwards since their inception. Zayed finished with a club record 15 goals for Indy Eleven as well as 6 assists and Braun finished with 8 goals and 5 assists. Combining for one and two on the goal sheet these two led the change for Indy Eleven in 2016.

And while all of that in a nutshell feels good and looks even better when you look back on 2016 the later parts of the season saw Zayed and Braun look tired and straining for chances. With 2017 the goal for the forwards should be simple:

Consistency and being challenged

While both Braun and Zayed brought considerable power and the obvious goals to the table in 2016 we saw towards the middle to late parts of the season and even in the playoffs that frustration and tired legs set in. Both were things that are unavoidable from a player but from the building of a team can be addressed.

Even if it weren't the case, when both were healthy Braun and Zayed were the strongest forwards the club had in 2016. It never felt like you'd see Duke Lacroix or Souleymane Youla or anyone else get slotted in there because even on their bad days Eamon Zayed and Justin Braun were your strongest strike force. Which was both good and bad when it came to Braun's injury.

Zayed provided a new level of attack in 2016

Both are the only two returning forwards from 2016, and while they filled in with every line of production inside the penalty area, it felt as the season went on Zayed more than Braun got tired, frustrated, and forced a lot of his moves. Both players felt like they struggled the later things went on and often times were the reason for goals going wide.

Obviously to require constant goal scoring is unrealistic and unmanageable by any player. Even the Messi's of the world don't score everyday. That being said, the reason was the lack of tangible depth and rotation in that position. Zayed started all but one game and Braun, who was out for a short time with injury, would have probably done the same. And while Omar Gordon brought speed and Youla brought experience, it just felt like when Braun and Zayed weren't together it was a weaker attacking threat.

Hankinson seems to thrive on position contests. He wants players to know their spot isn't secure week-to-week and if people show up one week and aren't there mentally the next they won't make that starting lineup. Zayed and Braun were the best pair last season for the Eleven but it felt like their run later in the season was forced because they didn't really have much in the way of options outside of those two.

No crystal ball would be able to tell you who could do that. I'm sure Gordon, Lacroix, and Youla were brought in to fill that void but the goal for the rest of this roster building process and preseason for 2017 should be to find one person or even two who can challenge Braun and Zayed to both better their play as the season goes on and also to fill in if those periods of struggle set in. 

Post-Vacation Blues - Puerto Rico FC V Indy Eleven REVIEW (7/2/16)

Souleymane Youla grabbed a late equalizer for Indy Eleven and his first NASL goal.

By: James Cormack

Puerto Rico FC 1 Indy Eleven 1 

Well we didn't have much of a vacation really but watching this game it certainly had the feeling of "it sucks to be back at work". It was a good chance to start the fall campaign with a win against a team with little or no experience in NASL league play but it wasn't to be. Indy Eleven almost suffered their first league defeat of the year but again showed they will keep playing for the result no matter how late in the game it comes.

It was a case of stepping into the unknown, there is not a lot you can do to study an opponent you have never played against nor played against any other team in the same league. All you can really do is set yourself up as you have before and step into it and see what happens.

Puerto Rico it seemed played the game with a meat cleaver approach and were willing to chop their way through any situation, at times it was brutal to watch. Having said that they also proved they were not just here to make up the numbers. Within the first few minutes we had high feet, slamming tackles, blood and bandages.

To be fair to both teams, the referees were not handing the physicality of the game too well, looked to be FIFA CONCACAF referees (yeah we all have experience of those right) but I seriously question would question their ability to control a game on the ecidence of this one, encounters in Puerto Rico should be entertaining to say the least if the same allocation continues. 

Officials were not keeping up with incidents of dangerous play

Valdin Legister was the center referee from Jamaica, and on his FIFA bio among his favorite hobbies is "watching sporting activities", well at least he got to enjoy his hobby in this match. There were numerous opportunities early in this game for the officials to stamp their authority on this it and remove the excess physicality but none were taken. Simply issuing a yellow card doesn't change the mood of the game, pulling players aside and letting them know that you will not tolerate any more may make a difference.

The playing surface also was fairly poor, and I am not using that as an excuse, I don't have any excuses for how we underperformed, but the pitch did remind me of the grass laid at Lucas Oil Stadium for the Inter V Chelsea match a few years back. Literally every time someone slid or pivoted or made a tackle huge lumps of sod were coming up, and after only 20 minutes into the game the ball was obviously taking bobbles in open play through a maze of lumps and bumps.

Indy Eleven started with the lineup we expected, a group more than capable of winning the game, Greg Janicki took the captain's armband in the absence of Colin Falvey. Janicki was joined by Franco, Miller and Vukovic at the back in front of Jon Busch. Gordon, Mares, Ring and Paterson made up the midfield with Zayed and Braun in front. Lacroix, Palmer and Souleymane Youla all earned time in the second half.

Apparently it was "Kids Go Free" night in Bayamon!

Our passing in the game and loss of possession was pretty much our downfall at times, either too short or too long most of the time combined with good pressing from the opposition, we labored to create chances and when we did we struggled to finish. On the upside our delivery from corners and set pieces was very good, but we still failed to convert from most of them. Failure to capitalize on our chances pretty much scuppered the three points for us. Praise should be given to PRFC for the way they pressed Indy, they made the game difficult even though over physical at times, and they deserved their point.

The further you go in a game without being able to score the higher the chance of falling behind first and that is what happened in the 74th minute when Culbertson managed to get his cross in ahead of Marco Franco which dipped in to the center of the six yard box, Cory Miller couldn't get enough on it to clear and Hector Ramos was there to pounce on the ball from close range to put Puerto Rico in front.

As we have seen many times before Indy Eleven never give up, as long as there are seconds left in a game there is always a chance they can turn things around. Lovel Palmer almost got his first goal for Indy and the equalizer with a bullet header from a Vukovic corner but it was collected by PRFC keeper David Meves.

Minutes later, after first dealing with a mini middle school pitch invasion, Souleymane Youla stepped up to score his first goal for the club in stoppage time. A beautifully weighted free kick from Indy's left by Nemanja Vukovic floated in towards the back post and Youla connected with the head to put Indy back on level terms in the game.


It can probably be noted as our poorest performance of the year so far since the start of the regular season, but we will have these games and it's important to learn from them. Yes we remain undefeated, and thankfully we got a point on the road but it is still important for the coaches and players to look at these games and try to learn from them. It is a point gained but it is also two more dropped in a game we could have won, Indy wants to win the Fall season as well, to do so you have to improve in this type of game.

It is still early though, and even though we played Pachuca only a week ago, it's hard sometimes to get back in the saddle with the same momentum. Indy have players coming back, the roster is strong and we will make good in more games than we won't. Indy have proven and will continue to prove they are a force to be reckoned with in 2016.

The fall season will be intensive with more midweek games, a double header is on the way against a Minnesota team fresh from demolishing the Railhawks 5-1 and a Strikers team who pulled off quite a turnaround in Spring, and that's what needs to be concentrated on now. It is important to take stock and analyze along the way but Indy Eleven will be judged on their ability over the long haul and not on the strength of one sub par performance.

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As always Bloody Shambles and Permanent Relegation are supporting Playworks Indiana children's charity with our #EamonZayedRule initiative. We are donating money for every goal Éamon Zayed scores this year and you can choose to play along or just make a one off donation to help us reach our target of $2000. Click Here for More Information.

Watch out for a new blog with some exciting news coming soon, we have some upcoming events to tell you about including Permanent Relegation's annual Euchre tournament the Game of Kings, which will help raise more money. If you are interested SIGN UP HERE.

At the moment we are almost at 25% of our goal of $2000, please consider helping us get a little further!

On An Island In The Sun - Puerto Rico FC V Indy Eleven PREVIEW (7/2/16)

Souleymane Youla in action against Liga MX champions CF Pachuca

By: James Cormack

Hip Hip! Okay I couldn't resist a nice Weezer reference, if you have no idea what I am talking about you are missing out on a great song.

As with any new franchise in NASL you need some hype and some promotion to get butts on seats for your first season. Puerto Rico have been leading with the catchphrase "We Are Ready!". Are they really ready though?

PRFC stole the headlines in June of 2015 when it was announced NBA star and Puerto Rican native Carmelo Anthony has bought a franchise in the NASL that will play in the summer of 2016 at Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.

So while the rest of the NASL have been concentrating on Spring action, what have PRFC been up to? Puerto Rico's roster currently stands at 21 with three goalkeepers. probably the most recognizable name to Indy Eleven fans would be former striker Pedro Mendes who departed the club in 2014 for Minnesota and then moved back to his former club Atlanta Silverbacks in 2015. Joining him in Puerto Rico is his twin brother and former Cosmos and Atlanta player Paulo.

The rest of the Puerto Rican roster provides a smattering of NASL and local experience, but nothing jaw dropping or eyebrow raising as we have seen with other new teams like Rayo OKC or Miami FC, there has been no huge spending nor is there anyone who could be described as a 'marquee' player.

Chris Nurse may be considered somewhat talismanic locally, he played for the original Puerto Rico Islanders in 2010 and in 2012, he returns to Puerto Rico for the third time. In between he has featured for Carolina Railhawks, Fort Lauderdale Strikers and FC Edmonton. The 32 year old midfielder from Hammersmith, London will no doubt be looked upon for experience and leadership in the fall.

In terms of NASL league experience through the rest of the roster Brazilian attacker Oliver Minatel arrrives from Ottawa Fury FC where he made 44 appearances. Fellow Brazilian 'Cristiano' Dias boasts four to five years experience with Minnesota United where he made 98 appearances for the Loons and the defender will don the captain's armband for PRFC.

Outside of that and adding a few Puerto Rican player and some internationals like Ramón Soria (Spain) and Bljedi Bardic (Montenegro). I'll be perfectly honest this roster does not in anyway give me the feeling we are looking at a squad that is going to cause any great upset in fall.

The pre season and preparations for Puerto Rico are equally obscure. As far as I can tell from club news the team has played against the Puerto Rico national team in which they won 1-0 in New York, played against Costa Rica in their preparation for Copa America (all I can tell is the game ended after 75 minutes due to a thunderstorm), and a game against US U17's (no details found, apparently USA's warmup against Puerto Rico is not the same game?).

So are Puerto Rico ready to meet the only undefeated team in the NASL and current Spring Champions Indy Eleven, I hope I am not proven wrong, but no, I don't really think they will be. Even in 2014 when Indy entered the league for the first time their preparation, even if lacking then was better than that. The most important thing for PRFC is to get started and gain experience in 2016. It is going to be tough for them, Indy Eleven found out the hard way in 2014 that this league is not to be underestimated.

Indy Eleven not letting off the gas any time soon......

Franco covering Omar Gonzalez of CF Pachuca

There has not been much of a break for Indy since Spring, three days after winning the Spring  Championship the Eleven took on Chicago Fire in the US Open Cup, despite exiting the competition on penalties, it was an impressive performance by the team, to come off a huge win against Carolina with very little rest and push Chicago for 120 minutes, no complaints from me, it was a great showing.

The squad got a break and then resumed action again on June 26th they played in exhibition against reigning Liga MX Champions CF Pachuca and thanks to a great goal from Éamon Zayed defeated them 1-0 at Carroll Stadium.

Indy will look to push on and continue where they left off but there will be a few players unavailable for the match in Puerto Rico so we will look to use our roster depth again.

Gerardo Torrado is not yet eligible for this game, he will not be able to play in competitive NASL matches until after the transfer window closes on Monday. He will be available for our next home match.

Gorka Larrea will no longer be playing for Indy, anyone who follows his instagram would know he appears to be a long way away right now, Indy Eleven picked Gorka up for Spring and it looks like his option will not be picked up for fall, so it's bon voyage to Gorky.

The benefit of winning Spring and already having a playoff berth means we have time to let injured players heal, this will be the case for Colin Falvey this week, he played through pain in Spring with a groin issue and now that is being allowed to heal, return time not yet know.

Don Smart and Jair Reinoso are still not 100% or ready for a return yet. Indy will leave nobody else behind and have just enough to make the 18 man roster for the match.

The biggest question for me is will Marco Franco keep his place, in the last three matches he has been outstanding, he had a great performance against Pachuca, Chicago and Carolina. Lovel Palmer is back and ready, but do we need to change for right now, we made the playoffs and we have opportunities to rotate players. 

I'd like to see both play to be honest, but I think Franco has earned a start for this game and Lovel is a very adaptable player who can play defense and midfield so with a player like Larrea departing he will still be very important.

Also does Cardona who also had a standout performance against Pachuca get more time against an unknown team? Will be interesting to see if he starts, I would be comfortable with it but also love to see Jon Busch in goal as well.

Possible starting lineup: Busch, Franco, Miller, Janicki, Vukovic, Mares, Ring, Paterson, Gordon, Zayed, Braun. Subs: Cardona, Palmer, Shaffer, Keller, Lacroix, Youla, Ubiparipovic

Players to watch: 

Éamon Zayed, sitting atop the scoring table in NASL after a hat trick against Carolina and pulling out another one against CF Pachuca, he's a man on a mission, he told us we'd win Spring and we did, he told us he would win the Golden Boot and we believe him. This could be the perfect game for him to bump up his tally.

Souleymane Youla, whether he starts or comes on later in the game he is the new guy and he looks sharp, he will be eager to carve himself a regular starting spot but will have to earn it in this roster, a standout performance won't do any harm, expect him to give 110% and possibly score.

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As always Bloody Shambles and Permanent Relegation are supporting Playworks Indiana children's charity with our #EamonZayedRule initiative. We are donating money for every goal Éamon Zayed scores this year and you can choose to play along or just make a one off donation to help us reach our target of $2000. Click Here for More Information.

Watch out for a new blog with some exciting news coming soon, we have some upcoming events to tell you about including Permanent Relegation's annual Euchre tournament the Game of Kings, which will help raise more money. If you are interested SIGN UP HERE.

At the moment we are almost at 25% of our goal of $2000, please consider helping us get a little further!