
Superb Defensive Effort Results in Second Clean Sheet in Last Three Outings
September 3, 2022 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Indy Eleven News Release
HAMTRAMCK Mich. - Indy Eleven moved its undefeated streak to three games after a scrappy 0-0 draw against its newest rival, Detroit City FC, on the road this evening. The result marked the second shutout in the last three games for Indiana's Team and goalkeeper Tim Trilk, who needed to make just a pair of saves thanks to a thorough defensive effort by the Boys in Blue throughout the 90 minutes at Keyworth Stadium.
With injuries and suspension limiting his options, Indy Eleven Head Coach Mark Lowry looked to field a squad mixed with fresh legs and the ability to keep its recent energetic and pressing approach .His first XI reflected such needs, with forward Rodney Michael and midfielder Wilfredo Rivera getting their first starts of the season on the evening, while captain Ayoze made his first start since leaving Indy's match at FC Tulsa on Aug. 20 early due to injury.
Indiana's Team succeeded in making the first half a stalemate. Indy Eleven center back Jesus Vazquez beat Maxi Rodriguez to a headed cross to the back post in the 8th minute, his clearance off the underside of the crossbar that was ultimately cleared from danger marking the most dangerous of limited looks from both sides during the opening stanza. Curling shots from the top of the area that ultimately missed frame by Indy striker Juan Tejada in the 14th minute and Detroit's Rhys Williams four minutes later were the most speculative looks of the rest of the half for both sides, who combined for six combined shots and zero on goal during a stingy first 45 minutes of play.
The second half started in a similarly stingy fashion, although Lowry inserted Solomon Asante for Michael at the halftime interval and Stefano Pinho for Rivera just before the hour mark in an attempt to insert more experience in attacking prowess. The sides traded some of their most dangerous looks just prior to the hour mark, with Eleven goalkeeper Tim Trilk saving the first shot on goal of the evening by Antoine Hoppenot in the 56th minute, and Robby Dambrot sending a shot into the side netting just two minutes later.
Hoppenot's side-footed volley in the 72nd minute flashed wide, while Rodriguez's deflected effort that was impacted by Eleven midfielder Justin Ingram's lunging tackle was saved by Trilk save four minutes later, allowing the visitors to keep a late game-winner in play. Hoppenot's sliding challenge on Sam Brown in the 88th minute drew the second half's only caution and scrummed members of the two sides together temporarily, but the bad feelings quickly subsided and an unusual nine minutes of stoppage time ensued shortly thereafter.
Of course it was the familiar Eleven foil Hoppenot who nearly scratched across the game-winner in the 92nd minute, but his effort from the arc missed the left post by about a foot. In the 95th minute the Eleven had its most dangerous look of the half when Asante fired from distance, but Deoitr goalkeeper Nathan Steinwascher collected the shot on his line without a rebound, nullifying Indy's lone chance on goal of the evening. The two sides played out the final four minutes of stoppage from there without much danger, resulting in a sharing of the spoils from a gritty affair that kept the interval between the two squads at 14 points.
Indiana's Team returns home next Saturday, Sept. 10, when its gauntlet against Eastern Conference playoff-positioned squads continues against Birmingham Legion FC at 7:00 p.m. ET.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 3, 2022
- Memphis 901 FC Draws 1-1 with Orage County SC - Memphis 901 FC
- Rowdies Rout Las Vegas, Clinch Playoff Berth - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Phoenix Rising Falls, 1-0, in Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC - Phoenix Rising FC
- Republic FC Downed by Louisville City FC - Sacramento Republic FC
- Atlanta United 2 Gets Past FC Tulsa - FC Tulsa
- Battery Outrun Red Bulls II as Apodaca, Piggott and Williams Score - Charleston Battery
- Even with Eleven: Detroit City FC and Indy Eleven Draw 0-0 - Detroit City FC
- Rising Falls, 1-0, in Colorado Springs - Phoenix Rising FC
- Frustrating, Chance-Filled Match Ends in Draw against Miami - Birmingham Legion FC
- Atlanta United 2 Defeats FC Tulsa 2-1 - Atlanta United 2
- Superb Defensive Effort Results in Second Clean Sheet in Last Three Outings - Indy Eleven
- Lights FC Travels to Florida for the First Time in Franchise History - Las Vegas Lights FC
- NYRB II Travels to Face the Charleston Battery to Conclude Stretch of Three Matches in Seven Days - New York Red Bulls II
- El Paso Locomotive FC Dominates in 2-1 Win over Rival New Mexico United - El Paso Locomotive FC
- New Mexico United Fall to El Paso Locomotive, 2-1 - New Mexico United
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.
Other Recent Indy Eleven Stories
- Stremlaw Repeat Selection to IBJ Media Indiana 250 List of Influential Hoosiers
- James Murphy Scores his First Indy Eleven Goal
- Boys in Blue Win Fourth in Their Last Six USLC Games
- Ball State, Indy Eleven Partner to Provide Free Training and Game Access for Indiana Youth Coaches
- Blake USL Championship "Player of the Week"

