On Saturday, Hoosiers could not have asked for a better summer night to watch their team under the lights at Michael A. Carroll Stadium. However, the hottest team in the league, Ottawa, stole the show with Andrew Weideman’s brace for the 4-1 win over Indy Eleven. The win extends the Fury’s current unbeaten run to twelve games and they are in sole possession of both the fall and combined standings. This was the third time in six games that Ottawa has scored four goals against the Eleven. In addition, the Fury now have three different players to score two goals in a game against the Eleven as; Tony Donatelli and Richie Ryan were the previous two.
The Fury opened the score line 9 minutes into the game. Tom Heinemann was able to beat Greg Janicki with an attacking move, then play the ball across the eighteen yard box to Siniša Ubiparipović, who was making an unmarked run for the goal. In the 54th minute Ryan Richter’s cross found Andrew Wiedemann for his first of the night. Even though Wiedemann took a bad touch, he was able to regain control of the ball and find the back of the net from a tight angle. The 62nd minute saw Mauro Eustaquio and Tom Heinemann play a give-and-go and Eustaquio finished with a goal. Wiedemann added his second goal of the night in the 64th minute when he was able to out muscle Erick Norales for the ball. Then, Wiedemann beat Janicki and keeper Kristian Nicht for Ottawa’s fourth. Duke Lacroix scored the only goal for Indy Eleven in the 60th minute after coming in as a second half substitute. Lacroix took control of the ball in the middle of the field and was able to beat three defenders and slide the ball across the goal line.
Ottawa came out in a very organized 4-3-3 but only shifted into this formation when they moved the ball from the middle and into their final third. When the Fury were in their own half, Oliver Minatel and Wiedeman would drop into the midfield to create a 4-5-1. Without any pressure from the Eleven on Ottawa captain Richie Ryan, he was able to distribute the ball and switch the Fury’s attack. As Indy was struggling to get the ball out wide Coach Regan switched to a 4-5-1 formation halfway through the first half to allow more width in the attack. This helped the Eleven create more opportunities as Brian Brown was the target forward, Dane Richards in his traditional position as an outside midfielder, and Victor Pineda the other outside mid.
Indy Eleven’s new signing, Marvin Ceballos, made his first start for the ‘Boy’s in Blue’ as the attacking midfielder. Ceballos gave the Eleven a much needed spark in the attack and he contributed early with two shots in the first 15 minutes. More importantly, Ceballos’s superb first touch, communication, vision of the field, and distribution allowed more opportunities for the Eleven to have a chance in front of goal. It may take a few more games but if Ceballos is able to stay in the attacking midfield position Indy Eleven will be able to start collecting points from games. Also giving the Eleven a spark was rookie Duke Lacroix. With his fresh legs and speed, he was able to run at defenders one-on-one. We should the rookie transition from a substitute into a starting role within the next few weeks.
Last year it was difficult to decipher how competitive the NASL was with Indy Eleven being in their first year of existence. Now that Indy Eleven is seventeen games into their second season we can see how tight and close the games are. This 4-1 game was closer than the score line indicates. If Ceballos, Richards, and Janicki attempts in the first half go in, then we could be discussing different outcome. As these three attempts missed by inches. New York is the only safe team make the playoffs this year, as they clinched the spring championship. Currently, first and last place in the fall standings is separated by 15 points and the combined table is 14. One thing is for sure, the NASL is only going to get more intense and competitive with teams having twelve to fourteen games left to play. All it takes is for a team to stay healthy, play well, have a little luck, and before you know it- they could clinch a playoff spot. For fans of Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Fort Lauderdale, and San Antonio whose teams sit at the bottom, there is still hope.
Lineups/Substitutions:
OTT: GK Peiser; CB Falvey; CB Alves; RB Richter; LB Trafford; CM Ryan; CM Eustaquio; CM Ubiparipovic (Davies 80’); F, Heinemann (Poltronieri 86’); F Wiedeman; F Minatel (Junior 63’).
IND: GK Nicht; CB Norales; CB Janicki; RB Franco; LB Hyland; DM Keller; AM Ceballos; RM Stojkov (Steinberger 73’); LM Pineda (Lacroix 57’); F Brown (Wojcik 63’); F Richards.
Scoring Summary:
Sinlša Ubiparipović (OTT) 9’
Andrew Wiedemann (OTT) 54’
Duke Lacroix (IND) 60’
Mauro Eustaquio (OTT) 62’
Andrew Wiedemann (OTT) 64’
Stats:
Shots off target:
OTT: 3
IND: 10
Shots on target:
OTT: 8
IND: 4
Corners:
OTT: 3
IND: 3
Offside:
OTT: 0
IND: 0
Possession:
OTT: 53
IND: 47
Fouls:
OTT: 16
IND: 12
Discipline:
Mason Trafford (OTT) yellow 17’
Brian Brown (IND) yellow 22’
Richie Ryan (OTT) 38’
Marvin Ceballos (IND) 73’
Ryan Richter (OTT) 82’
After the Fury swept the season series against Indy, they will return to Ottawa for a three game home stand against the Minnesota United, New York Cosmos, and Tampa Bay Rowdies. Indy will have a much need break after three games in eight days and will not play until the 19th of August.
