Match Preview: Indy Eleven Continues Away Stint at Atlanta United FC 2
September 24, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Indy Eleven News Release
Indy Eleven at Atlanta United 2
Wednesday, September 25, 2019 - 7:30 P.M. ET
Fifth Third Bank Stadium | Kennesaw, Ga.
Follow Live:
Local/National TV: N/A
Streaming Video: ESPN+ (click for a free 7-day trial)
Radio (Spanish): N/A
In-game updates: @IndyElevenLive Twitter feed, presented by Honda
Setting the Table:
Indy Eleven: 17W-6L-5D, 56 pts., 2nd in Eastern Conference
Atlanta United 2: 7W-16L-6D, 27 pts., 14th in Eastern Conference
Click here for the full USL Championship standings
First 2019 Meeting:
Indy Eleven 1 : 0 Atlanta United 2 | Saturday, June 22
A lone goal from forward Alioune Diakhate provided Indy Eleven with three points in the first leg of its 2019 series against Atlanta United FC 2 on June 22 at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Senegalese forward tapped in the game-winner off a cross from midfielder Tyler Pasher in the 84th minute to score his first goal since signing with Indiana's Team in March. The match also saw Eleven 'keeper Jordan Farr record his first USL Champion clean sheet in his second league start since joining the team in 2018.
Last Time Out:
Indy Eleven 0 : 1 Birmingham Legion FC | Friday, September 20
The Boys in Blue were frustrated on the road last Friday after falling 1-0 at Birmingham Legion FC. A first-half goal from Birmingham's Brian Wright handed the home team the lead in the in the 39th minute. The hole was dug a bit deeper in the 53rd minute after Indy midfielder Drew Conner was shown a red card, forcing the Boys in Blue to play down a man for the remainder of the evening. Indy almost drew level in the 59th minute when forward Ilija Ilic nearly finished an in-swinging corner kick from defender Ayoze, but the post came to Birmingham's rescue. Despite Indy's fighting spirit, the match ultimately finished 1-0 in favor of Legion FC.
Atlanta United FC 2 3 : 1 Charleston Battery | Wednesday, September 18
Atlanta United FC 2 have picked up seven points out of nine in their last three matches after handling Charleston Battery 3-1 at home last Wednesday. A first-half goal from Luiz Fernando and two second-half strikes by Andrew Carleton and Jack Metcalf pushed the affiliate side to victory in a game that saw Atlanta score at least three goals for the fourth time this season.
#ATLvIND Storylines
Indy Eleven holds a 2W-0L-1D all-time record against Atlanta United FC 2. The Boys in Blue have scored four goals and conceded one in the three matches against the affiliate team.
Indy Eleven forward Alioune Diakhate, who signed with the team in March after attending an open tryout of over 100 players, scored the game-winning goal in the first meeting of the 2019 USL Championship between the sides.
Indy Eleven 'keeper Jordan Farr recorded his first USL Championship clean sheet against Atlanta United FC 2 on June 22. The appearance was his second league start since joining the team in 2018.
A victory over Atlanta United FC 2 could see Indy Eleven take sole possession of first in the Eastern Conference. Indiana's Team could remain in first place through Week 30 pending results from around the East, including Indy's away trip at Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC Saturday evening.
The Boys in Blue have arguably the best defense in the Championship, allowing a league-low 21 goals, only five of which have been on home turf. Head Coach Martin Rennie's squad is tied third in the Eastern Conference and tied fourth across the league for most clean sheets with 12, trailing Pittsburgh Riverhouds SC (13), Nashville SC (13) and Phoenix Rising FC (14).
Atlanta United FC 2 hold a 2W-2L-1D record in their last five matches, claiming 7-15 points during the run. However, Atlanta are undefeated in their last three games, scoring seven goals and conceding four in that span.
The seven goals scored in the last three games account for nearly a fifth of the 36 goals the Georgia based club has finished in 2019.
Despite scoring quite a few lately, Atlanta still has one of the shakiest defenses in the Eastern Conference, allowing the second most goals in the East (69) and trailing only Hartford Athletic (73).
Atlanta United FC forward Jon Gallagher, currently on loan with Aberdeen (Scottish Premiership), spent his collegiate career in the Hoosier state playing for Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2014-17). The Irishman scored 39 goals in 84 total appearances for the Indiana based school, earning several accolades along the way.
Indy Eleven Player to Watch | GK Evan Newton
Atlanta United FC 2 have scored seven goals in their last three games. For those doing the math, that's nearly a fifth of the Georgia based team's 2019 goal haul (36) being tallied in the last 270 minutes of play. With the Atlanta offense currently riding a high, Indy goalkeeper Evan Newton may again have his work cut out for him after an impressive performance against Birmingham.
Newton was peppered with shots against a goal-hungry Birmingham side, saving six of the seven shots on target. The only shot the 31-year-old failed to save came as the game's lone goal in the 39th minute, a leaping header from Legion forward Brian Wright. The last time the Boys in Blue faced Atlanta, the visitors registered 15 shots. With an in-form Atlanta in the final third, Newton will need to again be on his toes for a potential peppering.
Atlanta Untied FC 2 Player to Watch | MF Andrew Carleton
Midfielder Andrew Carleton has been a large part of Atlanta's recent offensive success. The 19-year-old scored the second goal of Atlanta's 3-1 win against Charleston Battery last time out. Not only did Carleton score last match, he's scored three goals in his last three appearances, bringing his 2019 account to four.
Carleton is typically found lurking around the right of the center circle, providing an additional outlet for whichever striker is deployed at the top of Atlanta's formation. It'll be up to a strong Indy Eleven midfield performance to nullify Carleton's runs through the middle of the pitch, as the youngster is currently on a bit of scoring streak.
• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board...
United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 24, 2019
- Hounds Clinch Playoff Berth, Defeat Memphis, 1-0 - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Pittsburgh Capitalizes on Early Chance in 1-0 Win over Memphis 901 FC - Memphis 901 FC
- Nashville SC to Host Pop-Up Pitch in Gallatin on Wednesday, September 25 - Nashville SC
- Loudoun United Acquire Defenders Hunter Gorskie and Miguel Garduno - Loudoun United FC
- Orange County SC Signs Another U.S. U-17 International - Orange County SC
- STLFC Partners with Fortinet - Saint Louis FC
- San Antonio FC Travels to Face Tulsa Roughnecks FC - San Antonio FC
- Napo Matsoso Named to USL Championship Team of the Week - Louisville City FC
- LouCity's Napo Matsoso Named to USL Championship Team of the Week - Louisville City FC
- Barry Selected to USL Championship Team of the Week - Ottawa Fury FC
- Jaime Chavez Named USL Championship Player of the Week - Fresno FC
- Davis Honored on Team of the Week Following Standout Matches - Nashville SC
- Match Preview: ATL UTD 2 vs Indy Eleven - Atlanta United 2
- Fresno's Chavez Voted Championship Player of the Week - USL
- Lindley Earns Spot on USL Championship Team of the Week - Memphis 901 FC
- Hertzog Named to Team of the Week - Reno 1868 FC
- Nashville SC to Host Tennessee EA Sports FIFA 20 Challenge Across the State this Fall - Nashville SC
- Fans to Help Design 2020 Lights FC Jersey - Las Vegas Lights FC
- Battery Sign Evan Posnanski to Academy Contract - Charleston Battery
- USL Championship Discipline Report - Week 30 - USL
- Match Preview: Indy Eleven Continues Away Stint at Atlanta United FC 2 - Indy Eleven
- Hartford Athletic to Host Portmore United FC of Jamaican National Premier League - Hartford Athletic
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.
