Indy Eleven Pro Soccer Match Preview
March 23, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Indy Eleven News Release
ENTERING THE FRAY
After a long offseason, the stage has been set for "Indiana's Team" to take to the pitch once more for regular season action. Indy Eleven are on the road in Week 2 of the regular season, where the "Boys in Blue" will take on League veterans Richmond Kickers in Indy's USL debut.
While the "Boys in Blue" didn't participate in any Week 1 action, the Eleven wrapped up its preseason fixtures in a doubleheader against Jacksonville Armada FC (D; 0-0) and Indiana Wesleyan University (W; 7-0). Furthermore, Indy XI closed its preseason with an impressive 4W-1L-2D record, scoring a total of 15 goals and conceding only three in the seven match campaign. "New in Blue" Eugene Starikov and Juan Guerra topped Indy's goal scoring charts with each of the former New York Cosmos duo adding three goals to their collection. Additionally, a slew of Indy players opened their scoring accounts for 2018 during preseason, including forwards Soony Saad, Justin Braun and Jack McInerney, and midfielders Brad Ring and Nathan Lewis.
While Indy continued to gather its pace in preseason friendlies, the Kickers launched into its 26th season opener in a 4-1 defeat on the road against Eastern Conference rivals Bethlehem Steel FC. The match tilted in Bethlehem's favor early after a 24th minute goal from Steel FC's Eric Ayuk. In the dying moments of the first half, Derrik Jones furthered Steel FC's lead to 2-0 with a low drive in goal in the 40th minute. Looking to spark a comeback, Kicker newcomer Oscar Umar scored his first professional goal in the 57th minute, bringing the score line to 2-1. Unfortunately for the Kickers, a second half brace for Bethlehem's Brandon Allen all but sealed the win for the home side, collecting three points in the process.
Indy Eleven look to make a good first impression in the USL after making the move to the USL in January. Having only started training about halfway through February, Indy Eleven head coach Martin Rennie insists that he and his largely reformed team are ready for the season to begin for them.
"I think a lot of the preseason was the team just getting to know each other and the way we wanted to play," Rennie said. "A lot of the time in preseason we had two teams going into games, but now we have everyone in one team. So, there's that unity and that hunger for that first game. When it comes to that first game, I think you can see that intensity increasing. We're very focused and ready to do our best."
WHO TO WATCH INDY ELEVEN EDITION: FW EUGENE STARIKOV
Newcomer forward Eugene Starikov joined Indy Eleven on February 6, 2018. Though only being with the club for a handful of weeks, the Ukrainian striker has already begun demonstrating his goal scoring abilities. In the XI's second preseason outing, Starikov pulled away with both goals in the 2-0 clean sheet against USL Western Conference heavyweights Swope Park Rangers. Weeks later, Starikov registered the winning goal during their visit to Chicago Fire, which ended 2-0 with the opening goal netted by striking partner Soony Saad. Prior to joining Indy Eleven, the Odessa, Ukraine native played a single season with NASL flagship side New York Cosmos. During his time in the Empire State, Starikov played 1,316 minutes in 25 appearances, scoring a total of four goals and tallying a single assist in all regular season appearances.
WHO TO WATCH RICHMOND KICKERS EDITION: MF OSCAR UMAR
Last Saturday marked Richmond Kickers midfielder 15th professional appearance since joining the club midway through the 2017 Season. Umar kicked off the start of his first full season the right way by wheeling away with his first professional goal in his clubs 4-1 defeat against Bethlehem Steel FC. The Tamale, Ghana native made the most of his 62 minutes on the pitch by amassing six interceptions, three tackles and retaining nearly 78 percent passing accuracy. Before joining the Kickers, Umar partook in a fruitful collegiate career with Villanova University, where he started in all but one match in 74 appearances in his four-year stay. During his sophomore year, Umar racked up seven goals and 12 assists, which led him to be selected to the All-BIG EAST Third Team and to the Preseason All-BIG EAST team for his Alma Mater. Most recently, Umar spent a short stint with NPSL's West Chester United.
MATCH-UP TO MARK: MF JUAN GUERRA VS. DF WILLIAM YOMBY
It'll be a battle in the Kickers' defending half as "New in Blue" midfielder Juan Guerra squares up against Kickers defender William Yomby. Guerra, an attacking midfielder hailing from Caracas, Venezuela, joined Indy Eleven soon after the club announced its move to the USL. Since joining the team, Guerra has quickly become a staple in Coach Rennie's attacking outfit. Most recently, Guerra scored his first hat trick in an Indy Eleven kit in the club's final preseason match up against Indiana Wesleyan University- a match that would end 7-0 in Indy's favor. Before Indy, Guerra spent the last three years across two NASL clubs; New York Cosmos and the recent USL add-ons Tampa Bay Rowdies. Last season, Guerra flexed his attacking abilities after scoring five goals and two assists in his 2,450 minutes on the pitch for New York. In addition to his time spent stateside, the midfielder has four caps with the Venezuelan National Team, which included two call-ups for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
William Yomby, a native of Bafoussam, Cameroon, has spent the last 10 years in the Virginian squad, totaling over 20,000 minutes in over 240 appearances. In the decade spent with the Kickers, Yomby has named to the All-League First Team six times, USL Defender of the Year once and named the Supporters Choice MVP in 2017. Moreover, the veteran defender has registered 11 goals and five assists, as well as leading his defensive line to more than 80 shutouts in the last nine seasons. In 2008, Yomby was drafted by Sporting Kansas City in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft, where he penned a developmental contract with the MLS side before joining Puerto Rico Islanders months later.
PREVIEW:
Indy Eleven Gameday & Match Preview
Indy Eleven at Richmond Kickers - #RICvIND
Saturday, March 24, 2017 - 5:00 P.M. EST
City Stadium- Richmond, VA
Watch/Listen Live:
Local/National TV: N/A
Streaming Video: USL YouTube (Free)
Follow Live:
In-game updates: Follow @IndyElevenLive on Twitter
Official stats: USL Match Center
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