Indy Eleven Hosts Louisville City FC
May 3, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Indy Eleven News Release
Indy Eleven play host to Louisville City FC just three days after playing FC Cincinnati at home for the second time this season. The noon game, on May 5, will be Louisville's first fixture against the "Boys in Blue".
Indy Eleven fell 2-3 to FC Cincinnati in the first Week Eight fixture in a back and forth match. FC Cincinnati opened the scoring in the seventh minute of play after Indy conceded a penalty. "Orange and Blue" midfielder Kenney Walker stepped up to the spot and tucked away the penalty, the Captain's third in his last three games. Indy Eleven forward Jack McInerney leveled the game 17 minutes later after a defensive error from none other than Walker. Eleven defender Ayoze converted a penalty in the 30th minute that gave "Indiana's Team" a 2-1 lead. Just before the half, Indy surrendered the lead when FC Cincinnati's Jimmy McLaughlin scored in the 41st minute with midfield partner Corben Bone collecting the assist. Nine minutes into the second half, Bone made his mark again by finding the back of the net, scoring the game winning goal in Cincinnati's second showing at Lucas Oil Stadium.
An undefeated Louisville City FC will make the short trip to Indianapolis for the first time this season on Saturday. The "Boys in Purple" enter Week Eight play coming off a 3-1 win in Week Seven against Bethlehem Steel FC. The attack minded 3-4-3 formation Louisville fielded last weekend led to all three of their goals coming five minutes, or less, apart. LCFC forward Cameron Lancaster found the back of the net twice in the game, with the second coming nine minutes after his first in the 22nd minute.
Louisville City sit atop the Eastern Conference with 16 points, six clear of Indy Eleven with 10 points. The fixture on May 5 will be first meeting between both teams outside of U.S. Open Cup competitions as the "Boys in Blue" aim to claim three points from the second Week 8 fixture at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Indy Eleven Player to Watch: DF Ayoze
Defender Ayoze Garcia Perez found the back of the net for the first time as a member of "Indiana's Team" Wednesday night against FC Cincinnati. The former La Liga star stepped up to the spot at the half hour mark and slotted the ball into the bottom left corner of the net. He also caused Cincinnati's wingers issues accumulating five tackles in the match.
The Puerto de la Cruz, Spain native's quick feet and ability to make key passes in crucial moments has made him an integral part of both the offense and defense for Indy Eleven this season. He's netted one goal, and played an almost full-field pass that led to the assist the defender tallied against Nashville SC. He's also accrued seven tackles and eight interceptions as part of the "Boys in Blue's" backline.
Louisville City FC Player to Watch: FW Ilija Ilic
Louisville City FC forward Ilija Illic's stellar performance against Bethlehem Steel FC exhibited the striker's growth over the last season. The 27-year old forward not only found the back of the net once in the Week Seven match, but also assisted on a goal and moved the ball exceptionally well on the wing. He finished the game with just below 90 percent of his passes completed.
The Belgrade native has spent his entire career with Louisville City FC after signing with the team a day before their inaugural opener in 2015. Before his Louisville City career began, he was the NCAA Division II Player of the Year in 2014 at Young Harris College, where he scored 64 goals in 72 appearances. After coming off the bench the last two seasons, Ilic has appeared in five of six games this season for the "Boys in Purple", two of which he featured in the starting XI. Moreover, Ilic has scored once and collect two assists in 2018.
Matchup to Mark: Indy DF Karl Ouimette vs FCC FW Cameron Lancaster
Indy Eleven look to bounce back defensively after giving up three goals for the first time this USL season. Before the 2-3 defeat against FC Cincinnati, the back line had conceded only two goals in five games., the fewest goals allowed in the Eastern Conference.
One of the key pieces to a stiff back line has been Indy Eleven defender Karl Ouimette. The Canadian born defender has started five of Indy's six games so far this season, winning almost every one of his tackles and shutting down opposition passing lanes with 19 interceptions and 19 clearances. Four tackles and five of the interceptions came against FC Cincinnati Wednesday night.
Ouimette will have to keep an eye on Louisville City FC forward Cameron Lancaster. The English talisman has found the back of the net four times in his four appearances, leading the Kentucky-based team's goal scoring chart this season. Two of the four goals Lancaster has scored came last week against Bethlehem Steel.
Ouimette will have to deny passes into the box, as Lancaster has scored three of his four from inside the 18-yard box this season. Be warry of passes played by Ilic from the wing into Lancaster. The striking partners linked up last week for a goal when Ilic played a ball in from the wing to the feet of Lancaster, who turned and struck the ball into the bottom left corner for the third goal of the game.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 3, 2018
- Preview & Notes: Saturday - Cinco de Mayo Soccer Party Takes over Cashman Field - Las Vegas Lights FC
- Indy Eleven Hosts Louisville City FC - Indy Eleven
- Toronto FC II vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC Match Preview - Rochester Rhinos
- Preview: Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at Toronto FC II - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- LouCity Travels to Indy for First-Ever USL Meeting at Lucas Oil Stadium - Louisville City FC
- Real Monarchs SLC Hosts Western Conference Leaders Orange County SC - USL
- T2 Defeat Sacramento Republic FC 2-0 at Providence Park - Portland Timbers 2
- Portland Hands Republic FC First Loss of 2018 - Sacramento Republic FC
- Indy Eleven Fall in 2-3 Thriller against FC Cincinnati - Indy Eleven
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