USL Penn FC

Penn FC Set to Host Fifth-Place Indy Eleven

September 11, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release


HARRISBURG, Pa. - Penn FC (8-10-8) looks to get back on track and reignite its playoff push when it hosts fifth place Indy Eleven (12-7-9) Wednesday night.

Rush Soccer's First Team faces Indy Eleven for the second time this summer with the two sides playing to a 1-1 draw back in June. While it was an important result that extended its unbeaten streak to five matches at the time, the Blue and White held a 1-0 lead against a 10-man Indy squad before Jack McInerney slotted in a direct free kick to avoid the home upset.

"We have to keep building from the positives, keep using all the positives, and make sure we put this kind of spirit on the field... We need to learn from our mistakes after being 1-0 up against 10 men (and drawing against Indy Eleven)," Head Coach Raoul Voss said in the days following the last match with the Eleven.

"I think we need to start better," Defender Kyle Venter said when asked about the keys to beating Indy. "The last couple of games we've had a tendency to start slow, and we've gotten punished in those games, so we need to be able to start quick, especially at home, be alert, and be switched on to what they bring into the game, and then be able to maintain that for a full 90 minutes. We're at home -- we need to take that confidence and come in aggressive and really take it to them in the next game."

Forward Aaron Dennis has returned from national team duties with the U.S. Virgin Islands and will add to the team's confidence on offense. Dennis' presence at the top of the attack will force defenders to play higher as he is able to strike from 25 and 30 yards out.

Despite the disappointing loss to Atlanta United 2 over the weekend, Penn FC can reassert itself into the playoff race with a win. Rush Soccer's First Team has proven throughout the season that it raises its level of play against the Eastern Conference's upper echelon -- as evidenced by Penn FC's 3-1 shellacking at Bethlehem just two weeks ago.

"The players know what this is about," Voss said. "Everybody who can read the standings knows this is it. It's crunch time now -- do or die basically. There's not much I have to do. They're all intelligent guys who can read the table and know what this is about."

The match between Penn FC and Indy Eleven is scheduled for a 6:30 p.m. kickoff at FNB Field. The team is also hosting a College Night during the match. Tickets for the Sept. 12 match as well as every other match during Penn FC's season-ending homestand are available on pennfc.com/tickets.



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