Richards and Norales shine in the rain
Both Indy and Tampa Bay came into Wednesday night’s match struggling of late. The Eleven had only collected 1 point in their last five games and had not won since July 11th. Last week the Rowdies won their first game since July 4th and were holding on to the final playoff spot. But as the rain fell over Carroll Stadium, the Eleven found the back of the net twice. In the 60th minute Daniel Keller intercepted a pass at midfield and was able to carry the ball until laying it off to Dane Richards on the right flank. Richards was able to take a touch and fire a shot past Rowdies keeper Matt Pickens for the goal. The goal by Richards gave the Eleven their first lead since July 5th against the New York Cosmos. Ten minutes later Tamika Mkandawire was given a yellow card after fouling Richards right outside the eighteen. Erick Norales took the ensuing free kick that went over the Rowdies wall and into the upper 90, near post. This was Norales’s third goal of the season and first from a set piece. The goal doubled Indy’s lead and the ‘Boy’s in Blue’ held on to a 2-0 victory.
The ten day layoff between games seemed to do Indy Eleven wonders as the team was fresh and energetic from the start of the game. Interim Head Coach, Tim Regan, made four changes to the starting lineup but stayed with Dane Richards up top. The rest Richards received between the Ottawa and Tampa Bay game was imminent. His ability to close down space, pressure the ball up front, and beat Tampa Bay players with the ball were aspects the Eleven had been struggling with at the forward position this season. After scoring his second goal in his rookie season against the Fury, Duke Lacroix made his third career start. Lacroix, playing the left midfield position, was utilized often in the first half to create width in the attack and stretch the Rowdies defense. As the game progressed, Zach Steinberger was the much needed target player the Eleven were looking for in the number ten role, while Dylan Mares recovers from injury. Besides finding the outside midfielders in open space, Steinberger had a physical presence in the middle of the field. This allowed the Eleven to gain the ball in crucial areas of the pitch and jump start their counter attack.
After Indy’s defeat to Ottawa, captain Erick Norales, sent a letter to the Brickyard Battalion and came through on his word by delivering a solid performance. His ability to stop Rowdies attacks around the box and clear the ball from danger was on full display. Before being substituted because of an ankle issue, he was able to finish his night with a goal. But the unsung hero of the game goes to Dragan Stojkov. The outside midfielder was all over the pitch, dropping back on defense to squash any Rowdies opportunities, then pushed into Indy’s attack to create chances for the Eleven. If Stojkov continues to play like he did against the Rowdies midweek, expect him to score his first goal with Indy Eleven very soon.
The Eleven will have two days to rest and recover before traveling to Atlanta this weekend. In order for Indy to be successful, the ‘Boy’s in Blue’ must be able to handle playing in a numbers down situation in the midfield against Atlanta’s 3-5-2 formation. In addition, the Eleven will have to counter Atlanta’s strong and physical back line of McKenzie, Mensing, and Black. In Atlanta’s last game against Jacksonville, the Armada were able to send their outside backs forward to stretch the Silverbacks defense. Therefore, we should expect a close game in Atlanta against the Silverbacks and the Eleven on Saturday.
Lineups/Substitutions:
TBR: GK Pickens; CB Mkandawire; CB Agbossoumonde; RB Balchan; LB Sweat; CM Menjivar; CM Chavez (Guerra 46’); RM Shriver (Hernández 71’); LM Hertzog; F Espinal; F Santos (Hristov 74’).
IND: GK Nicht; CB Miller; CB Norales (Janicki 85’); RB Franco; LB Hyland; DM Keller; AM Steinberger; RM Stojkov (Smart 72’); LM Lacroix; F Rugg; F Richards (Ceballos 81’).
Scoring Summary:
Dan Richards (IND) 60’ – assist Daniel Keller
Erick Norales (IND) 70’
Stats:
Shots off target:
TBR: 4
IND: 11
Shots on target:
TBR: 4
IND: 7
Corners:
TBR: 8
IND: 4
Offside:
TBR: 1
IND: 0
Possession:
TBR: 58
IND: 42
Discipline:
Justin Chavez (TBR) 31’ yellow
Zach Steinberger (IND) 42’ yellow
Tamika Mkandawire (TBR) 69’ yellow
Fouls:
TBR: 20
IND: 18
