Eleven Cannot Take Advantage of 17-8 Edge in Shots on Soggy Evening at Carroll Stadium
September 4, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Indy Eleven News Release
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Indy Eleven saw its recent run of form at home run out on a soggy Carroll Stadium pitch this evening, as Atlanta United 2 used a first half goal by Aiden McFadden to post a 1-0 win over Indiana's Team.
Despite the defeat, Indy Eleven (7W-9L-5D, 26 pts.) remains within a win of the fourth and final playoff spot in the Central Division. However, Atlanta United 2 was able to leap over Indiana's Team in the standings and now sits on 28 points, with both teams lurking behind fourth-place OKC Energy FC on 29 points.
With a slick turf after a rain-soaked day in the Circle City, Indy seemed eager to try some chances from distance with the hope of skipping something past Atlanta United 2 goalkeeper Ben Lundgaard. However, the former Eleven 'keeper did well to gobble Jeremiah Gutjahr's one-hopper in the 19th minute, and he did one better a few minutes later to steer midfielder Nicky Law's rip from 30 yards around his left post for a corner.
Atlanta had its own chances of note early, but Matias Benitez's snap header in the ninth minute went right to Eleven goalkeeper Jordan Farr on his line, and midfielder Robbie Mertz's sidewinding volley in the 14th minute rose just over the bar. It was indeed the visitors that would move the scoreboard first in the 26th minute when Aiden McFadden collected a recycled clearance just outside the area and curled a beauty inside the far-right post to put ATL UTD 2 up 1-0. It was Benitez who would have the best chance on goal the remainder of the half, but Farr stood his ground well and got low to bat away the forward's chance from just inside the six-yard box.
The second half was pretty much one way traffic towards the Atlanta goal, with Indy Eleven outshooting Atlanta 11-2 across the second stanza. Law was often the focal point for Indy early in the half, however the Englishman would see Lundgaard make two solid saves in the 52nd and 58th minutes. In between Atlanta striker Amadou Diop's galloping run down the left flank ended with his chance from the top of the area missing high in the 55th minute.
Indy Eleven Nick Moon was active all evening on the right flank, and his service to Gordon Wild in the heart of the area in the 68th minute already paid dividends, but the German's turn-and-fire attempt was blocked off his foot for a corner. A minute later the tables were turned as Wild flicked a nifty ball from midfield up Route 1 for Moon to run onto, but Christian Wiley's sliding tackle again provided a crucial bloc for the visitors.
Atlanta was able to play out the stretch without giving up many chances of note, Manuel Arteaga's off-balance header that drifted high in the 86th minute and Moon's blast from 20 yards that sailed high in the 89th minute giving the drenched home crowd the most hope. However, ATL UTD 2 would see it out and garner the full three points, snapping Indy Eleven's modest home winning streak at a pair of games.
Indy Eleven's monthlong streak of home Saturdays will be interrupted this Wednesday, Sept. 8, when Indiana's Team heads west to Oklahoma to face off with FC Tulsa. Kickoff from ONEOK Field is set for 8:00 p.m. ET (live on ESPN+).
The Boys in Blue will then return home next Saturday, Sept. 11, when it will host Sporting KC II. Tickets for the 7:00 p.m. ET match on Faith & Family Night at Carroll Stadium can be secured by visiting indyeleven.com/tickets or by calling 317-685-1100 during regular business hours. For full details surrounding the evening's events, visit indyeleven.com/promotions.
USL Championship Regular Season
Indy Eleven 0 : 1 Atlanta United 2
Saturday, September 4, 2021
IUPUI Michael A. Carroll Stadium - Indianapolis, Ind.
Indy Eleven: 7W-9L-5D, 26 pts.; 6th place in Central Division
Atlanta United 2: 7W-9L-7D, 28 pts.; 5th place in Central Division
Scoring Summary
ATL - Aiden McFadden (unassisted) 26'
Discipline Summary
ATL - Phillip Goodrum (yellow card) 90+4'
Indy Eleven line-up (3-4-3): Jordan Farr; Neveal Hackshaw (captain), A.J. Cochran (Karl Ouimette 90+3'), Jared Timmer; Patrick Seagrist (Ayoze 79'), Gershon Koffie (Rece Buckmaster 66'), Jeremiah Gutjahr (Aboubacar Sissoko 79'), Nick Moon; Nicky Law, Manuel Arteaga, Gordon Wild (Carl Haworth 73')
IND substitutions: Bobby Edwards (GK), Aidan Liu
Atlanta United 2 line-up (4-3-3): Ben Lundgaard; Christian Wiley, Bryce Washington, Josh Bauer, Bradley Kamdem Fewo Abdoulaye Diop, Robbie Mertz (Mathieu Brick 90+5'), Aiden McFadden; Matias Benitez (Darwin Matheus 61'), Amadou Diop (Phillip Goodrum 78'), Brendan Lambe
ATL substitutions: Connor Stanley, Noah Cobb, Rocco Rios Novo, David Mejia
United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 4, 2021
- San Antonio FC and Pittsburgh Riverhounds Share the Points After 1-1 Draw - San Antonio FC
- RGV FC Draw with Loudoun United at H-E-B Park - Rio Grande Valley FC Toros
- Late Header by Dixon Grabs 1-1 Draw for Hounds in San Antonio - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Loudoun United FC Draw 1-1 Away to Rio Grande Valley FC - Loudoun United FC
- Memphis Steals Win from Legion FC with Two Goals in Second Half Stoppage Time - Birmingham Legion FC
- Charlotte Independence End in 2-2 Draw against Miami FC - Charlotte Independence
- Eleven Cannot Take Advantage of 17-8 Edge in Shots on Soggy Evening at Carroll Stadium - Indy Eleven
- Hartford Drops Final Matchup with RBII - Hartford Athletic
- SD Loyal Select Beats El Paso Locomotive Academy 2-0 - San Diego Loyal
- Sporting Kansas City II Cruises to 3-0 Victory over OKC Energy FC - Sporting Kansas City II
- Sporting KC II Takes Advantage of Tired Energy FC - OKC Energy FC
- Tacoma Looks to Take Down Division-Leading Phoenix at Cheney Stadium - Tacoma Defiance
- SD Loyal Adds Dylan Castanheira on Loan from MLS Club Inter Miami CF - San Diego Loyal
- Rising Looks to End Tacoma's Unbeaten Run at Home - Phoenix Rising FC
- LouCity Loans Goalkeeper Lefebvre to Colorado Springs - Louisville City FC
- Switchbacks FC Acquire Goalkeeper Simon Lefebvre on Loan - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- OCSC Draws 2-2 at Home against El Paso Locomotive FC - Orange County SC
- Austin Bold FC Announces Ryan Thompson as New Head Coach - Austin Bold FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
