Eleven Fall to First Defeat of 2023 at the Finish of Three-game Homestand Week
INDIANAPOLIS (Saturday, April 8, 2023) – While beautiful conditions for the first time at home this season provided packed bleachers at IUPUI Carroll Stadium, the Indy Eleven had its first blemish of its 2023 campaign after falling to Oakland Roots SC, 3-0. The result pushed Indy’s record to an even 1W-1L-2D, ending the squad’s undefeated streak early in the USL Championship regular season.
Oakland started the match hungry, sending many close attacking attempts into the six and putting Eleven goalkeeper Yannik Oettl to work early, starting in the 6th minute when he collected Anaur Palaez’s headed from close range on a bounce. Another close attempt for the Roots came in the 9th minute, after a Dariusz Formella and Lindo Mfeka 1-2 sprang the latter into the top of the box, where Oettl scrambled to pick off the through ball.
Possession started to turn in the Eleven’s favor around 20 minutes into the match, with some strong attempts following suit. In the 25th minute a corner by Cam Lindley was headed to the near post by Robby Dambrot – making his first start of the season following a preseason foot injury – but Roots SC ‘keeper Paul Blanchette was able to grab before it found Sebastian Guenzatti’s run.
Roots SC took the lead in the 43rd minute, when Oettl’s aggressive patrolling at the top of his penalty area and outside the box was used against him as Mfeka beat him to Formalla’s ball over the backline out of midfield. This left an empty goal for Mfeka to finish into, allowing Oakland a 1-0 heading lead at half.
The Eleven aimed to retake control in the 49th minute, when a beautiful ball from Jack Blake sent Solomon Asante into the right side of the box, but his square ball for an onrushing Douglas Martinez near the penalty area was poked away by the last defender. Near the hour mark Martinez had a great opportunity in the six off a 70-yard diagonal ball by defender Adrian Diz Pe, but he couldn’t get away from a defender in time before Blanchette stepped in.
The pace of the game increased when the second goal for Oakland came in the 71st minute. Mfeka intercepted a pass deep in the Roots’ attacking third, cut centrally into the area and rocketed a shot into the sprawled Oettl on the turf. The rebound skied into the area before being picked out of the air by Formella on the full volley to double the visitors’ lead.
A minute later Indy tried to scrape one back when Lindley drove a free kick into the heart of the area that Diz Pe fired right into the chest of Blanchette. Continual advances by the Eleven proved unsuccessful, and Oakland was able to secure the clincher from Edgardo Rito in the 78th minute, when he was put behind the backline by Joseph Nane’s long ball from midfield and chipped a stranded Oettl from 25 yards to put things all but out of reach.
A faint sense of hope came in the 83rd minute, when Oakland defender Emrah Klimenta saw his second caution after taking down Guenzatti near the corner of the area, giving the Eleven a man advantage in the late stages. Blake was again able to find space one last time via a laid off of the ball in the 88th minute for a shot to the far post that didn’t miss by much, but marked Indy’s last good look in the disappointing result.
Next up for the Boys in Blue is a cross-country trek to Southern California for a face-off with Orange County SC next Saturday, April 15 (10:00 p.m., live on ESPN+). Following that match Indiana’s Team will return home on Saturday, April 22, when Monterey Bay F.C. will make its first visit to the Circle City for a 7:00 p.m. ET kickoff on Community Heroes Night at “The Mike.”
Single-game tickets for all home games at IUPUI Carroll Stadium along with 17-game Season Ticket Memberships, specially-priced group tickets, and an increased portfolio of hospitality options are available for purchase now via indyeleven.com/tickets or by calling 317-685-1100 during regular business hours (Mon.-Fri., 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.)
USL Championship Regular Season
Indy Eleven 0 : 3 Oakland Roots
Saturday, April 8, 2023
Michael A. Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis, Ind.
Indy Eleven: 1W-1L-2D, 5 pts.
Oakland Roots: 2W-1L-1D, 6 pts
Scoring Summary:
OAK – Lindo Mfeka (Dariusz Formella) 43’
OAK – Dariusz Formella (unassisted) 71’
OAK – Edgardo Rito (Joseph Nane) 78’
Discipline Summary:
OAK – Tarek Morad (caution) 19’
OAK – Emrah Klimenta (caution) 23’
OAK – Emrah Klimenta (second caution/ejection) 82’
IND – Juan Tejada (caution) 85’
OAK – Bryan Tamacas (caution) 86’
OAK – Neveal Hackshaw (caution) 90’+2
Indy Eleven line-up (4-3-3): Yannik Oettl; Robby Dambrot (Gustavo Riso 82’), Jesus Vazquez, Adrian Diz Pe, Younes Boudadi (Harrison Robledo 68’); Aodhan Quinn (Bryam Rebellón 68’), Cam Lindley (Alann Torres 88’), Jack Blake; Sebastian Guenzatti (captain), Solomon Asante (Juan Tejada 82’), Douglas Martinez
Indy subs: Tim Trilk (GK), Mechack Jerome
Oakland Roots line-up (5-3-2): Paul Blanchette; Guillermo Diaz, Tarek Morad, Daniel Barbir, Emrah Klimenta, Edgardo Rito; Lindo Mfeka (Bryan Tamacas 72’), Joseph Nane (Neveal Hackshaw 87’), Irakoze Donasiyano; Anuar Peláez (Jonathan Rodriguez 68’), Dariuz Formella
Oakland subs: Taylor Bailey (GK), Ethan Kohler, Trayvon Reid, Kevin Wright
