News

INDIANAPOLIS – The USL Championship announced on Tuesday the finalists for the 2021 USL Championship Awards, with the leading performers in five categories earning nomination after a compelling 2021 campaign.

Among the nominees in the Coach of the Year category is new Indy Eleven Head Coach Mark Lowry, who joined Indiana’s Team one week ago after concluding a third successful season at the helm of El Paso Locomotive FC. Lowry joins Brendan Burke (Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC) and Neill Collins (Tampa Bay Rowdies) on the three-man shortlist of finalists, with the winner to be announced this Saturday, Nov. 27.

During El Paso’s recently concluded 2021 campaign, Lowry led Locomotive FC to an impressive 18W-4L-10D (64 points) ledger that easily clinched the Championship’s Mountain Division title and marked the third highest point total across the 31-team league. Lowry earned the July 2021 USL Championship Coach of the Month honor, which coincided with the club’s 23-game home undefeated run that stretched over a calendar year and was, at one point, the longest such streak in North American professional soccer. 

The 2021 USL Championship Awards were voted on by team management and a league-wide media panel that included representation from every USL market. The five award winners will be announced between Friday, Nov. 26 and Wednesday, Dec. 1.

Four Awards Finalists are set to feature in the 2021 USL Championship Final between the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Orange County SC, which will air live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and SiriusXM FC in the United States on Sunday, November 28 at 8:30 p.m. ET.

 

2021 Coach of the Year Finalists (winner announced Saturday, Nov. 27)

Mark Lowry, El Paso Locomotive FC: After leading Locomotive FC to consecutive Western Conference Finals in its first two campaigns, Lowry produced the best regular season in the club’s short history in 2021 as El Paso lost a league-fewest four games in the regular season while finishing second in the league with 13 shutouts. El Paso won the Mountain Division and finished with the third-best record in the league overall while going undefeated at home, equaling the league record with 13 home victories in the regular season.

Brendan Burke, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Appointed last offseason as the third Head Coach in Switchbacks history, Burke led the side into its new era at downtown venue Weidner Field with a side that provided high-quality entertainment on the field and earned the club’s first postseason berth since 2016. Colorado Springs ranked third in the Championship with 60 goals and tied a club record with 49 points as it almost doubled its point total from the 2019 season.

Neill Collins, Tampa Bay Rowdies: After leading the Rowdies to their first silverware in the Championship a season ago, Collins helped lead the club to even greater heights this year as Tampa Bay finished with the best record in the regular season. The club’s 23 wins were one short of the league record, while the club’s 71 points ranked as the third-highest total in the Championship’s regular season. The Rowdies also set a league record with an 891-minute shutout streak and equaled the league record with 13 home wins in the regular season.

 

Season Ticket Memberships for Indy Eleven’s 2022 campaign are now on sale – and fans can get at least $265 in added value and the best slate of benefits available when securing their membership by Dec. 10. Fans can also place deposits to secure discounted tickets and exclusive gameday experiences for groups of 10 or more and one of the many Premium Hospitality options at Carroll Stadium. To learn more and lock in your seats, visit https://www.indyeleven.com/tickets.

INDIANAPOLIS – The USL Championship announced on Tuesday the finalists for the 2021 USL Championship Awards, with the leading performers in five categories earning nomination after a compelling 2021 campaign.

Among the nominees in the Coach of the Year category is new Indy Eleven Head Coach Mark Lowry, who joined Indiana’s Team one week ago after concluding a third successful season at the helm of El Paso Locomotive FC. Lowry joins Brendan Burke (Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC) and Neill Collins (Tampa Bay Rowdies) on the three-man shortlist of finalists, with the winner to be announced this Saturday, Nov. 27.

During El Paso’s recently concluded 2021 campaign, Lowry led Locomotive FC to an impressive 18W-4L-10D (64 points) ledger that easily clinched the Championship’s Mountain Division title and marked the third highest point total across the 31-team league. Lowry earned the July 2021 USL Championship Coach of the Month honor, which coincided with the club’s 23-game home undefeated run that stretched over a calendar year and was, at one point, the longest such streak in North American professional soccer. 

The 2021 USL Championship Awards were voted on by team management and a league-wide media panel that included representation from every USL market. The five award winners will be announced between Friday, Nov. 26 and Wednesday, Dec. 1.

Four Awards Finalists are set to feature in the 2021 USL Championship Final between the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Orange County SC, which will air live on ESPN, ESPN Deportes and SiriusXM FC in the United States on Sunday, November 28 at 8:30 p.m. ET.

 

2021 Coach of the Year Finalists (winner announced Saturday, Nov. 27)

Mark Lowry, El Paso Locomotive FC: After leading Locomotive FC to consecutive Western Conference Finals in its first two campaigns, Lowry produced the best regular season in the club’s short history in 2021 as El Paso lost a league-fewest four games in the regular season while finishing second in the league with 13 shutouts. El Paso won the Mountain Division and finished with the third-best record in the league overall while going undefeated at home, equaling the league record with 13 home victories in the regular season.

Brendan Burke, Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC: Appointed last offseason as the third Head Coach in Switchbacks history, Burke led the side into its new era at downtown venue Weidner Field with a side that provided high-quality entertainment on the field and earned the club’s first postseason berth since 2016. Colorado Springs ranked third in the Championship with 60 goals and tied a club record with 49 points as it almost doubled its point total from the 2019 season.

Neill Collins, Tampa Bay Rowdies: After leading the Rowdies to their first silverware in the Championship a season ago, Collins helped lead the club to even greater heights this year as Tampa Bay finished with the best record in the regular season. The club’s 23 wins were one short of the league record, while the club’s 71 points ranked as the third-highest total in the Championship’s regular season. The Rowdies also set a league record with an 891-minute shutout streak and equaled the league record with 13 home wins in the regular season.

 

Season Ticket Memberships for Indy Eleven’s 2022 campaign are now on sale – and fans can get at least $265 in added value and the best slate of benefits available when securing their membership by Dec. 10. Fans can also place deposits to secure discounted tickets and exclusive gameday experiences for groups of 10 or more and one of the many Premium Hospitality options at Carroll Stadium. To learn more and lock in your seats, visit https://www.indyeleven.com/tickets.

INDIANAPOLIS – Indy Eleven continued its run of re-signings for the club’s 2022 roster with today’s announcement that veteran midfielder Ayoze Garcia Perez will return for a fifth season with the squad. Per club policy, terms of the deal that brings the midfield maestro back to Indiana’s Team next season will not be disclosed.

“I am very excited to come back for my fifth season with Indy Eleven and to continue to be a part of this team and this organization,” said Ayoze. “I look forward to working with Coach Lowry and giving my all to ensure the team gives our fans a special season they can celebrate.”

The 35-year-old Ayoze showed no signs of slowing down in 2021, when he assumed the responsibility of the captain’s armband and finished the campaign with a team-high five assists. That performance marked the fourth time in as many seasons with the club in which he either shared or led the team outright in assists and boosted his club record in the category to 21. His eight goals also rank in the Eleven’s all-time top ten, placing ninth alongside his vice-captain during the 2021 season, fellow confirmed returnee Karl Ouimette.

“I am looking forward to working with Ayoze and using his experience and qualities to help push Indy Eleven back to the top end of the table,” said Indy Eleven Head Coach Mark Lowry. “I firmly believe he will help me and the staff set high standards with the professionalism he will bring to work every day.”

Ayoze’s 28 appearances last season (including 20 starts) were tied for the fifth most on the squad and landed the native of Puerto de la Cruz, Spain on 101 “caps” in official competitions (regular season, postseason, and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup) with Indiana’s Team. Ayoze became the fourth member of the Eleven’s “Century Club” during Indy’s home finale on Oct. 23, and he ended his fourth season in the Circle City tied for third place in all-time appearances alongside Don Smart and behind only Ouimette (105) and Brad Ring (115).

Prior to joining Indy Eleven ahead of its first USL Championship season in 2018, Ayoze was a regular foe of Indiana’s Team during its NASL era as a member of the New York Cosmos, where he scored eight goals in over 120 appearances from 2013-17. Ayoze began his professional career in his native Spain, spending a 10-year run from 2003-12 across the country’s first and second divisions with Tenerife, Las Palmas, and Sporting Gijon.

Ayoze is the sixth player confirmed for the squad’s 2022 roster, joining the quintet of Ouimette, Manuel Arteaga, Neveal Hackshaw, Nicky Law, and Jared Timmer that was announced on Wednesday. As Lowry continues to settle into his role with club, Indy Eleven expects to make additional announcements surrounding its 2022 roster and coaching staff in the coming days and weeks.

As Lowry continues to settle into his role with club, Indy Eleven expects to make additional announcements surrounding its 2022 roster and coaching staff in the coming days and weeks.

Season Ticket Memberships for Indy Eleven’s 2022 campaign are now on sale – and fans can get at least $265 in added value and the best slate of benefits available when securing their membership by Dec. 10. Fans can also place deposits to secure discounted tickets and exclusive gameday experiences for groups of 10 or more and one of the many Premium Hospitality options at Carroll Stadium. To learn more and lock in your seats, visit https://www.indyeleven.com/tickets.

INDIANAPOLIS – Indy Eleven continued its run of re-signings for the club’s 2022 roster with today’s announcement that veteran midfielder Ayoze Garcia Perez will return for a fifth season with the squad. Per club policy, terms of the deal that brings the midfield maestro back to Indiana’s Team next season will not be disclosed.

“I am very excited to come back for my fifth season with Indy Eleven and to continue to be a part of this team and this organization,” said Ayoze. “I look forward to working with Coach Lowry and giving my all to ensure the team gives our fans a special season they can celebrate.”

The 35-year-old Ayoze showed no signs of slowing down in 2021, when he assumed the responsibility of the captain’s armband and finished the campaign with a team-high five assists. That performance marked the fourth time in as many seasons with the club in which he either shared or led the team outright in assists and boosted his club record in the category to 21. His eight goals also rank in the Eleven’s all-time top ten, placing ninth alongside his vice-captain during the 2021 season, fellow confirmed returnee Karl Ouimette.

“I am looking forward to working with Ayoze and using his experience and qualities to help push Indy Eleven back to the top end of the table,” said Indy Eleven Head Coach Mark Lowry. “I firmly believe he will help me and the staff set high standards with the professionalism he will bring to work every day.”

Ayoze’s 28 appearances last season (including 20 starts) were tied for the fifth most on the squad and landed the native of Puerto de la Cruz, Spain on 101 “caps” in official competitions (regular season, postseason, and Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup) with Indiana’s Team. Ayoze became the fourth member of the Eleven’s “Century Club” during Indy’s home finale on Oct. 23, and he ended his fourth season in the Circle City tied for third place in all-time appearances alongside Don Smart and behind only Ouimette (105) and Brad Ring (115).

Prior to joining Indy Eleven ahead of its first USL Championship season in 2018, Ayoze was a regular foe of Indiana’s Team during its NASL era as a member of the New York Cosmos, where he scored eight goals in over 120 appearances from 2013-17. Ayoze began his professional career in his native Spain, spending a 10-year run from 2003-12 across the country’s first and second divisions with Tenerife, Las Palmas, and Sporting Gijon.

Ayoze is the sixth player confirmed for the squad’s 2022 roster, joining the quintet of Ouimette, Manuel Arteaga, Neveal Hackshaw, Nicky Law, and Jared Timmer that was announced on Wednesday. As Lowry continues to settle into his role with club, Indy Eleven expects to make additional announcements surrounding its 2022 roster and coaching staff in the coming days and weeks.

As Lowry continues to settle into his role with club, Indy Eleven expects to make additional announcements surrounding its 2022 roster and coaching staff in the coming days and weeks.

Season Ticket Memberships for Indy Eleven’s 2022 campaign are now on sale – and fans can get at least $265 in added value and the best slate of benefits available when securing their membership by Dec. 10. Fans can also place deposits to secure discounted tickets and exclusive gameday experiences for groups of 10 or more and one of the many Premium Hospitality options at Carroll Stadium. To learn more and lock in your seats, visit https://www.indyeleven.com/tickets.

INDIANAPOLIS – Just one day removed from the addition of a new head coach, Indy Eleven continued to build momentum towards its 2022 USL Championship campaign with today’s announcement that five standout performers will continue to call IUPUI Carroll Stadium home next season.

The quintet of players includes 2021 leading scorer Manuel Arteaga, two-time All-USL Championship defender Neveal Hackshaw, veteran English midfielder Nicky Law, 2021 vice-captain Karl Ouimette, and versatile Butler University product Jared Timmer. Per club policy, terms of the deals that bring the players back to Indiana’s Team will not be disclosed.

“Having this outstanding group of players returning is a more than solid start to the re-building of our roster for 2022, and I’m looking forward to getting to work with them,” said newly-installed Indy Eleven Head Coach Mark Lowry. “I know the Eleven supporters will be happy as well, as all of them have proven to be players that have embraced – and been embraced by – the fanbase and the community.”

Arteaga was a revelation for – and linchpin of – the Eleven attack during his first season with the club in 2021. The 27-year-old Venezuelan became the fifth different player in club history to finish a season with double-digit goals, his 10 tallies more than doubling the output of the squad’s next highest scorer. Arteaga also became just the third field player in team annals to play in every regular season contest during a full-length campaign (omitting the COVID-shortened 2020 season), his appearances in all 32 games last season allowing him to join Don Smart (2014) and Tyler Gibson (2019) on that short list.

While national team call-ups and injury limited Hackshaw’s time on the pitch in 2021, the Trinidad & Tobago international was no less influential for the squad than during his All-USL Championship caliber performances during his first two years with Indiana’s Team. Since joining Indy Eleven, “Hack” has started 64 of his 67 appearances in official competitions (ranking seventh and eighth in club history, respectively) while compiling five goals and three assists from his usual left back position.

After spending 15 years in British footballing circles, Law made his mark on Indy Eleven after coming stateside in 2021. The consistent Law led the Boys in Blue with 28 starts and was second behind Arteaga with 30 appearances, adding three goals and an assist along the way at various midfield and attacking roles. The impressive career totals for the 33-year-old native of Plymouth, England, now stand at 112 assists and 79 goals in 592 matches across eight domestic leagues and 11 official cup and playoff competitions.

The 2021 season marked some milestones for the veteran defender Ouimette, who assumed vice-captain duties in his fourth season with the squad and became the third player in club history to appear in 100 games. Now Ouimette will be in line to become just the second player ever to play in five seasons for the club alongside Brad Ring – and he would do so while being reunited with Lowry, whom he played for briefly while on loan to Jacksonville Armada FC during the 2016 NASL season.

The versatile Timmer enjoyed a successful return to Indianapolis in 2021, the second-year product out of Butler U. bringing athleticism and ability to the defensive midfield position and spots along the backline across his 28 appearances (26 starts).

As Lowry continues to settle into his role with club, Indy Eleven expects to make additional announcements surrounding its 2022 roster and coaching staff in the coming days and weeks.

Season Ticket Memberships for Indy Eleven’s 2022 campaign are now on sale – and fans can get at least $265 in added value and the best slate of benefits available when securing their membership by Dec. 10. Fans can also place deposits to secure discounted tickets and exclusive gameday experiences for groups of 10 or more and one of the many Premium Hospitality options at Carroll Stadium. To learn more and lock in your seats, visit https://www.indyeleven.com/tickets.

INDIANAPOLIS – Just one day removed from the addition of a new head coach, Indy Eleven continued to build momentum towards its 2022 USL Championship campaign with today’s announcement that five standout performers will continue to call IUPUI Carroll Stadium home next season.

The quintet of players includes 2021 leading scorer Manuel Arteaga, two-time All-USL Championship defender Neveal Hackshaw, veteran English midfielder Nicky Law, 2021 vice-captain Karl Ouimette, and versatile Butler University product Jared Timmer. Per club policy, terms of the deals that bring the players back to Indiana’s Team will not be disclosed.

“Having this outstanding group of players returning is a more than solid start to the re-building of our roster for 2022, and I’m looking forward to getting to work with them,” said newly-installed Indy Eleven Head Coach Mark Lowry. “I know the Eleven supporters will be happy as well, as all of them have proven to be players that have embraced – and been embraced by – the fanbase and the community.”

Arteaga was a revelation for – and linchpin of – the Eleven attack during his first season with the club in 2021. The 27-year-old Venezuelan became the fifth different player in club history to finish a season with double-digit goals, his 10 tallies more than doubling the output of the squad’s next highest scorer. Arteaga also became just the third field player in team annals to play in every regular season contest during a full-length campaign (omitting the COVID-shortened 2020 season), his appearances in all 32 games last season allowing him to join Don Smart (2014) and Tyler Gibson (2019) on that short list.

While national team call-ups and injury limited Hackshaw’s time on the pitch in 2021, the Trinidad & Tobago international was no less influential for the squad than during his All-USL Championship caliber performances during his first two years with Indiana’s Team. Since joining Indy Eleven, “Hack” has started 64 of his 67 appearances in official competitions (ranking seventh and eighth in club history, respectively) while compiling five goals and three assists from his usual left back position.

After spending 15 years in British footballing circles, Law made his mark on Indy Eleven after coming stateside in 2021. The consistent Law led the Boys in Blue with 28 starts and was second behind Arteaga with 30 appearances, adding three goals and an assist along the way at various midfield and attacking roles. The impressive career totals for the 33-year-old native of Plymouth, England, now stand at 112 assists and 79 goals in 592 matches across eight domestic leagues and 11 official cup and playoff competitions.

The 2021 season marked some milestones for the veteran defender Ouimette, who assumed vice-captain duties in his fourth season with the squad and became the third player in club history to appear in 100 games. Now Ouimette will be in line to become just the second player ever to play in five seasons for the club alongside Brad Ring – and he would do so while being reunited with Lowry, whom he played for briefly while on loan to Jacksonville Armada FC during the 2016 NASL season.

The versatile Timmer enjoyed a successful return to Indianapolis in 2021, the second-year product out of Butler U. bringing athleticism and ability to the defensive midfield position and spots along the backline across his 28 appearances (26 starts).

As Lowry continues to settle into his role with club, Indy Eleven expects to make additional announcements surrounding its 2022 roster and coaching staff in the coming days and weeks.

Season Ticket Memberships for Indy Eleven’s 2022 campaign are now on sale – and fans can get at least $265 in added value and the best slate of benefits available when securing their membership by Dec. 10. Fans can also place deposits to secure discounted tickets and exclusive gameday experiences for groups of 10 or more and one of the many Premium Hospitality options at Carroll Stadium. To learn more and lock in your seats, visit https://www.indyeleven.com/tickets.

As Victor of League’s East Central Conference, U-19 Side to Represent Indiana’s Team in Inaugural Tournament from Dec. 2-5 in Tampa

* denotes player signed to a USL Academy contract in 2021 by Indy Eleven’s USL Championship team

Established in 2019, the USL Academy program provides an elite youth platform to offer United Soccer League member clubs in the Championship, League One, and League Two. The setup comprises three key components – the Academy Cup, the Academy League, and USL Academy contracts – that allow clubs to develop a more clearly defined path for top youth prospects in their area to reach the professional level and sign directly with their senior team.

As Victor of League’s East Central Conference, U-19 Side to Represent Indiana’s Team in Inaugural Tournament from Dec. 2-5 in Tampa

* denotes player signed to a USL Academy contract in 2021 by Indy Eleven’s USL Championship team

Established in 2019, the USL Academy program provides an elite youth platform to offer United Soccer League member clubs in the Championship, League One, and League Two. The setup comprises three key components – the Academy Cup, the Academy League, and USL Academy contracts – that allow clubs to develop a more clearly defined path for top youth prospects in their area to reach the professional level and sign directly with their senior team.

Fourth-year Pro to Joins Texan Side Temporarily in Advance of its Friday Debut in 2021 USL Championship Playoffs

TAMPA/INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, November 4, 2021) – Indy Eleven and San Antonio FC today announced that Indy goalkeeper Jordan Farr has been acquired by SAFC via a temporary emergency loan. Farr has joined the Texan side ahead of its game against San Diego Loyal SC tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 5, at Toyota Field in the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2021 USL Championship Playoffs.

San Antonio will host SD Loyal on Friday night at Toyota Field at 9:00 p.m. ET, with the game available live on ESPN+ and SiriusXM FC.

The emergency loan followed an injury to San Antonio’s Matt Cardone in its final game of the regular season this past Saturday night. San Antonio FC formally petitioned the league to register an emergency goalkeeper pursuant to the league’s Emergency Goalkeeper Exemption for the playoffs. This petition was approved by the league’s Compliance and Registration Departments.

Under league rules, after the Roster Freeze date, if a club is reduced to a single available and healthy goalkeeper, that club may petition the league to register an emergency goalkeeper. The subsequent registration will be permitted until such time as one or more of the originally rostered goalkeepers becomes available and healthy.

“In the spirit of competition, Indy Eleven is glad to work with the USL Championship, San Antonio FC, and Jordan Farr in facilitating this unique short-term loan. As we have done in similar circumstances with Evan Newton and Kristian Nicht in past seasons, Indy Eleven is proud to provide such opportunities for our players to rise to the occasion, and we look forward to seeing Jordan do just that should he be called upon,” explained Greg Stremlaw, Indy Eleven President & CEO.

Farr recorded 72 saves, five shutouts and a goals-against average of 1.33 during his 21 appearances across Indy Eleven’s recently concluded 2021 USL Championship regular season. After missing two months due to a wrist injury during the middle of the season, Farr enjoyed some of his best performances in the closing weeks of the campaign, highlighted by his first career appearance on the USL Championship Team of the Week presented by Cleer Audio for Week 26 following a five-save effort in a 1-0 win over Louisville City FC on Oct. 16.

The Salem, Ore.-native also earned back-to-back Championship Save of the Week nods for impressive reaction stops during the afore-mentioned win over LouCity and a 1-1 draw with FC Tulsa in Week 27 play.

The fourth-year professional has spent his entire pro career up to this point with Indiana’s Team, collecting 34 appearances across regular season and postseason action overall while recording 10 shutouts. Farr is no stranger to the postseason, having collected a 2W-1L-0D record and 1.00 goals against average during three appearances in the Eleven’s run to the Eastern Conference Final of the 2019 USL Championship Playoffs.

Fourth-year Pro to Joins Texan Side Temporarily in Advance of its Friday Debut in 2021 USL Championship Playoffs

TAMPA/INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, November 4, 2021) – Indy Eleven and San Antonio FC today announced that Indy goalkeeper Jordan Farr has been acquired by SAFC via a temporary emergency loan. Farr has joined the Texan side ahead of its game against San Diego Loyal SC tomorrow, Friday, Nov. 5, at Toyota Field in the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2021 USL Championship Playoffs.

San Antonio will host SD Loyal on Friday night at Toyota Field at 9:00 p.m. ET, with the game available live on ESPN+ and SiriusXM FC.

The emergency loan followed an injury to San Antonio’s Matt Cardone in its final game of the regular season this past Saturday night. San Antonio FC formally petitioned the league to register an emergency goalkeeper pursuant to the league’s Emergency Goalkeeper Exemption for the playoffs. This petition was approved by the league’s Compliance and Registration Departments.

Under league rules, after the Roster Freeze date, if a club is reduced to a single available and healthy goalkeeper, that club may petition the league to register an emergency goalkeeper. The subsequent registration will be permitted until such time as one or more of the originally rostered goalkeepers becomes available and healthy.

“In the spirit of competition, Indy Eleven is glad to work with the USL Championship, San Antonio FC, and Jordan Farr in facilitating this unique short-term loan. As we have done in similar circumstances with Evan Newton and Kristian Nicht in past seasons, Indy Eleven is proud to provide such opportunities for our players to rise to the occasion, and we look forward to seeing Jordan do just that should he be called upon,” explained Greg Stremlaw, Indy Eleven President & CEO.

Farr recorded 72 saves, five shutouts and a goals-against average of 1.33 during his 21 appearances across Indy Eleven’s recently concluded 2021 USL Championship regular season. After missing two months due to a wrist injury during the middle of the season, Farr enjoyed some of his best performances in the closing weeks of the campaign, highlighted by his first career appearance on the USL Championship Team of the Week presented by Cleer Audio for Week 26 following a five-save effort in a 1-0 win over Louisville City FC on Oct. 16.

The Salem, Ore.-native also earned back-to-back Championship Save of the Week nods for impressive reaction stops during the afore-mentioned win over LouCity and a 1-1 draw with FC Tulsa in Week 27 play.

The fourth-year professional has spent his entire pro career up to this point with Indiana’s Team, collecting 34 appearances across regular season and postseason action overall while recording 10 shutouts. Farr is no stranger to the postseason, having collected a 2W-1L-0D record and 1.00 goals against average during three appearances in the Eleven’s run to the Eastern Conference Final of the 2019 USL Championship Playoffs.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Indy Eleven ended its 2021 USL Championship season with a disappointing 3-0 defeat at the hands of a playoff bound Memphis 901 FC Saturday evening at AutoZone Park. The result pushed Indy’s final record on the season to 9W-15L-8D, its subsequent 35 points placing sixth in the Central Division standings to close out its fourth Championship campaign.

After both sides kept each other largely at bay across the opening 10 minutes, Memphis struck first in the 12th minute on a scoring chance unlocked by Mark Segbers’ through ball into the right side of the area. That’s where Michael Salazar squared centrally for a waiting Roland Lamah, who split the space between two defenders to touch past Eleven netminder Jordan Farr and gave 901 FC the early advantage. Memphis kept the pressure on and had two dangerous chances in the middle of the stanza, but goal mouth clearances by Eleven midfielder Gershon Koffie and defender Jared Timmer in the 20th and 25th minutes, respectively, kept the home side at bay.

In the 27th minute, Eleven midfielder Aboubacar Sissoko was put inside the area by Patrick Seagrist’s through ball down the left flank, but the Canadian’s attempt to catch 901 FC goalkeeper Brady Scott flat-footed was instead batted away. Perhaps the Eleven’s best chance to equalize came just after the half hour mark, when midfielder Ayoze achieved the left endline and sent a back post cross towards Manuel Arteaga, who saw his header across frame again pushed away by Scott.

Indy rued that missed chance immediately, as Memphis scored just seconds later on a swift counter that ended with Kyle Murphy sweeping a shot inside the left post that gave the striker his 20th goal of the season and 901 FC a 2-0 lead. The visitors tried to claw one back late in the half through a half-chance volley by Timmer from 20 yards that couldn’t dip in time to test Scott once more. While the opening half saw the Eleven out-shoot Memphis by an 8-7 margin and finish even on shots on target with three apiece, Indy entered the break down two tallies and in search of answers.

The proceedings did not improve for Indiana’s Team coming out of halftime, and Kissiedou again played provider to put things out of reach in the 56th minute. The Ivory Coast native’s chip put Andre Fortune into the right side of the area, from where he lofted a ball over Farr and inside the back post to move the score to 3-0, despite vehement protests from the Indy defensive corps that the offside flag should have been raised on the set up.

Indy pressed forward despite the deficit, with Ayoze setting the tone until the end. In the 63rd minute, the Spaniard nearly got one back with a low shot from 25 yards out that almost brushed the outside of the right post as it slid just wide. In the 71st minute, the captain played a looping ball for Arteaga that the Venezuelan laid into the path of substitute Nick Moon, who couldn’t keep his curling effort on goal.

Arteaga exited the match in the 76th minute, but not before he became just the third field player in club history to appear in every regular season match during a normal length campaign (not including last year’s COVID-shortened season), joining Don Smart (2014) and Tyler Gibson (2019) on that short list. Arteaga finished the season as the team’s leading scorer with 10 goals, making him just the fifth different player to register double-digit tallies in a single season for the Boys in Blue.

Ayoze kept the service coming in the 77th minute, his set piece inside the area finding an open Timmer for a half-shot/half-cross that just missed connecting with defender Tobi Adewole as he crashed the back post. Ayoze went the full 90 in finishing out his fourth season with the squad, and his club-leading five assists made him 4-for-4 in topping Indiana’s Team either solo or shared in the category – and also improved his club-record to 21 assists.

 

USL Championship Regular Season
Memphis 901 FC  3 : 0  Indy Eleven
Saturday, October 30, 2021
AutoZone Park – Memphis, Tenn.

Indy Eleven: 9W-15L-8D, 35 pts.; 6th place in Central Division

Memphis 901 FC: 14W-10L-8D, 50 pts.; 3rd place in Central Division

Scoring Summary
MEM – Roland Lamah (Michael Salazar) 12’
MEM – Kyle Murphy (Laurent Kissiedou) 32’
MEM – Andre Fortune (Laurent Kissiedou) 56’

Discipline Summary
MEM – Andre Fortune (yellow card) 7’
IND – Peter-Lee Vassell (yellow card) 25’
MEM – Andre Reynolds (yellow card) 66’
IND – Nick Moon (yellow card) 80’
MEM – Zach Carroll (yellow card) 81’
IND – Kevin Partida (yellow card) 85’

Indy Eleven line-up (4-5-1): Jordan Farr; Patrick Seagrist, Jared Timmer, Tobi Adewole, Rece Buckmaster; Peter-Lee Vassell (Nick Moon 61’), Gershon Koffie, Kevin Partida, Aboubacar Sissoko (Jeremiah Gutjahr 61’), Ayoze (captain); Manuel Arteaga (Aidan Liu 76’)

IND substitutions: Bobby Edwards (GK), Liam Doyle, Karl Ouimette, Neveal Hackshaw

Memphis 901 FC line-up (4-2-3-1): Brady Scott; Alan Winn, Zach Carroll, Skylar Thomas, Mark Segbers (Andre Reynolds 62’); Leston Paul (captain), Laurent Kissiedou; Roland Lamah (Tycho Collins 90’), Andre Fortune (John Talley 69’), Michael Salazar; Kyle Murphy (Rashawn Dally 45’)

MEM substitutions: Niall Logue, Jake Gelnovatch. Kadeem Dacres

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Indy Eleven ended its 2021 USL Championship season with a disappointing 3-0 defeat at the hands of a playoff bound Memphis 901 FC Saturday evening at AutoZone Park. The result pushed Indy’s final record on the season to 9W-15L-8D, its subsequent 35 points placing sixth in the Central Division standings to close out its fourth Championship campaign.

After both sides kept each other largely at bay across the opening 10 minutes, Memphis struck first in the 12th minute on a scoring chance unlocked by Mark Segbers’ through ball into the right side of the area. That’s where Michael Salazar squared centrally for a waiting Roland Lamah, who split the space between two defenders to touch past Eleven netminder Jordan Farr and gave 901 FC the early advantage. Memphis kept the pressure on and had two dangerous chances in the middle of the stanza, but goal mouth clearances by Eleven midfielder Gershon Koffie and defender Jared Timmer in the 20th and 25th minutes, respectively, kept the home side at bay.

In the 27th minute, Eleven midfielder Aboubacar Sissoko was put inside the area by Patrick Seagrist’s through ball down the left flank, but the Canadian’s attempt to catch 901 FC goalkeeper Brady Scott flat-footed was instead batted away. Perhaps the Eleven’s best chance to equalize came just after the half hour mark, when midfielder Ayoze achieved the left endline and sent a back post cross towards Manuel Arteaga, who saw his header across frame again pushed away by Scott.

Indy rued that missed chance immediately, as Memphis scored just seconds later on a swift counter that ended with Kyle Murphy sweeping a shot inside the left post that gave the striker his 20th goal of the season and 901 FC a 2-0 lead. The visitors tried to claw one back late in the half through a half-chance volley by Timmer from 20 yards that couldn’t dip in time to test Scott once more. While the opening half saw the Eleven out-shoot Memphis by an 8-7 margin and finish even on shots on target with three apiece, Indy entered the break down two tallies and in search of answers.

The proceedings did not improve for Indiana’s Team coming out of halftime, and Kissiedou again played provider to put things out of reach in the 56th minute. The Ivory Coast native’s chip put Andre Fortune into the right side of the area, from where he lofted a ball over Farr and inside the back post to move the score to 3-0, despite vehement protests from the Indy defensive corps that the offside flag should have been raised on the set up.

Indy pressed forward despite the deficit, with Ayoze setting the tone until the end. In the 63rd minute, the Spaniard nearly got one back with a low shot from 25 yards out that almost brushed the outside of the right post as it slid just wide. In the 71st minute, the captain played a looping ball for Arteaga that the Venezuelan laid into the path of substitute Nick Moon, who couldn’t keep his curling effort on goal.

Arteaga exited the match in the 76th minute, but not before he became just the third field player in club history to appear in every regular season match during a normal length campaign (not including last year’s COVID-shortened season), joining Don Smart (2014) and Tyler Gibson (2019) on that short list. Arteaga finished the season as the team’s leading scorer with 10 goals, making him just the fifth different player to register double-digit tallies in a single season for the Boys in Blue.

Ayoze kept the service coming in the 77th minute, his set piece inside the area finding an open Timmer for a half-shot/half-cross that just missed connecting with defender Tobi Adewole as he crashed the back post. Ayoze went the full 90 in finishing out his fourth season with the squad, and his club-leading five assists made him 4-for-4 in topping Indiana’s Team either solo or shared in the category – and also improved his club-record to 21 assists.

 

USL Championship Regular Season
Memphis 901 FC  3 : 0  Indy Eleven
Saturday, October 30, 2021
AutoZone Park – Memphis, Tenn.

Indy Eleven: 9W-15L-8D, 35 pts.; 6th place in Central Division

Memphis 901 FC: 14W-10L-8D, 50 pts.; 3rd place in Central Division

Scoring Summary
MEM – Roland Lamah (Michael Salazar) 12’
MEM – Kyle Murphy (Laurent Kissiedou) 32’
MEM – Andre Fortune (Laurent Kissiedou) 56’

Discipline Summary
MEM – Andre Fortune (yellow card) 7’
IND – Peter-Lee Vassell (yellow card) 25’
MEM – Andre Reynolds (yellow card) 66’
IND – Nick Moon (yellow card) 80’
MEM – Zach Carroll (yellow card) 81’
IND – Kevin Partida (yellow card) 85’

Indy Eleven line-up (4-5-1): Jordan Farr; Patrick Seagrist, Jared Timmer, Tobi Adewole, Rece Buckmaster; Peter-Lee Vassell (Nick Moon 61’), Gershon Koffie, Kevin Partida, Aboubacar Sissoko (Jeremiah Gutjahr 61’), Ayoze (captain); Manuel Arteaga (Aidan Liu 76’)

IND substitutions: Bobby Edwards (GK), Liam Doyle, Karl Ouimette, Neveal Hackshaw

Memphis 901 FC line-up (4-2-3-1): Brady Scott; Alan Winn, Zach Carroll, Skylar Thomas, Mark Segbers (Andre Reynolds 62’); Leston Paul (captain), Laurent Kissiedou; Roland Lamah (Tycho Collins 90’), Andre Fortune (John Talley 69’), Michael Salazar; Kyle Murphy (Rashawn Dally 45’)

MEM substitutions: Niall Logue, Jake Gelnovatch. Kadeem Dacres

#MEMvIND Gameday Preview  

Indy Eleven at Memphis 901 FC

Saturday, October 30, 2021 – 7:00 P.M. ET  

AutoZone Park – Memphis, Tenn.

 

Follow Live  

Local/National TV: MyINDY-TV 23

Streaming Video: ESPN+ (click to subscribe)  

Radio (Spanish): N/A

In-game updates: @IndyElevenLive Twitter feed, presented by Central Indiana Honda Dealers   

Live stats: #MEMvIND MatchCenter on USLChampionship.com

Official Indy Eleven Watch Party: Union Jack Pub

 

2021 USL CHAMPIONSHIP REGULAR SEASON RECORDS

Indy Eleven: 9W-14L-8D (-12 GD), 35 pts.; 6th in Central Division

Memphis 901 FC: 13W-10L-8D (+2 GD), 47 pts.; 3rd in Central Division

Indy Eleven heads south to end its 2021 USL Championship campaign Saturday night against a Memphis 901 FC squad that is where Indiana’s Team hoped to be, playoff bound. With its midweek win over FC Tulsa, the Tennessee side is in the comforting situation of having its postseason seeding locked in. That gives 901 FC Head Coach Ben Pirmann the option of either resting players and keeping them fresh, or fielding an “A” team to try and keep momentum rolling into the postseason, giving a little bit of unpredictability to what Indiana’s Team may face on the weekend.

And that unpredictability may also spread to Eleven Interim Head Coach Max Rogers’ decision making as well when it comes to line-up choices. Do you go full-bore with your top choice XI and look to grind out a win, the way in which Indy has achieved most of its positive results throughout the season? Maybe you sprinkle in some players that have played limited minutes to get a little more tape for offseason considerations? Or perhaps you just say the heck with it and “release the hounds” towards goal with an attack-heavy formation and personnel? 

We do not have a crystal ball for those answers, so we’ll be just as curious as anyone! However, the least surprising line-up choice would be the inclusion of leading scorer Manuel Arteaga, who has appeared in all 31 matches this season and should be in line to become the eighth player in club history to appear in every regular season contest during a single season (including last year’s trio of Tyler Gibson, Drew Conner, and Nick Moon in the COVID-shortened 16-game campaign). Probably shouldn’t be surprised to see midfielder Peter-Lee Vassell out there as well, the Jamaican international proving his danger in attack last weekend against FC Tulsa with a wonderstrike that garnered Goal of the Week consideration.

The main goal for the Boys in Blue on Saturday is to end their season on a high note – and there have been signs of progress on that front over the last month. Following a six-game losing skid through most of September – which included a 0-1 defeat at AutoZone Park on Sept. 22 – the Eleven have steadied their ship by going 1W-1L-3D the last five times out. Ultimately anything less than a postseason berth is a disappointment, but there’s another potential standings place to be gained with a win and an OKC loss at Tulsa that evening. Throughout an inconsistent season, one constant has shone through, and that’s the fact that effort has never been an issue with this year’s Indy Eleven squad. You can bet they’ll run through the tape and give a full 90 – and then some – one more time to close things out Saturday night.  

 

SERIES HISTORY VS. MEMPHIS 901 FC

USL Championship regular season: 3W-2L-1D (12 GF/6 GA)

USLC regular season away: 2W-1L-0D (7 GF/3 GA)

After bossing the series with Memphis across the last two seasons (3W-0L-0D), 901 FC has managed to strike back with a pair of wins and a draw in 2021. Memphis began to make up ground in the series starting with a 2-1 win on June 5 that saw first half goals by Michael Salazar (3’) and Kyle Murphy (35’) prove enough to stave off an Eleven comeback bid that included Karl Ouimette’s tally deep in second half stoppage time. On July 17, the squads settled for a share of the spoils out of a 1-1 draw at Carroll Stadium, Nick Moon (47’) and Salazar (51’) canceling each other out to start the second half. The first meeting at AutoZone Park back on Sept. 22 saw Murphy’s 31st minute tally stand tall in a 1-0 Memphis win.

 

IND Player to Watch: FW Peter-Lee Vassell

With midfielder Nicky Law and Eleven newcomer Emmanuel Ledesma unavailable for selection in last weekend’s home finale, Vassell stepped up in a big way having opened the scoring with a second half wonderstrike in the eventual 1-1 draw against FC Tulsa. The Jamaican led Indy’s attack in last Saturday’s affair with four chances at goal (three on frame), one of which found the back of the next for his third tally of the season.

International duty (and difficulties re-entering the country that followed one such trip) contributed to Vassell’s limited minutes throughout the year, but the 23-year-old has begun to make up for lost time in recent appearances. Having started the season along the flanks, Vassell’s shift towards the top of the attack has paid dividends, the forward finding creative ways to force mistakes and capitalize on turnovers in the opponent’s defending half as the squad battles through the final stretch of games. With uncertainty around what type of lineup Memphis will roll out with this weekend, having Vassell on deck to break down a potentially makeshift defense could be the key to seeing Indiana’s Team move the win column one last time in 2021.

 

MEM Player to Watch: MF Laurent Kissiedou

At just 22-years old, Kissiedou is continuing his upward trajectory as one of the USL Championship’s rising stars as he closes out his fourth season in the league. The Ivory Coast native has kept consistent numbers across his stat sheet since entering the league in 2017, but he has found himself at the center of important moments more throughout the current campaign after earning his first career Team of the Week honor in Week 1, followed by his career-first Player of the Week plaudit in Week 24 after tallying his first professional brace in a 3-0 win against FC Tulsa.

Kissiedou has been among Memphis’ top distributors through the 2021 season, topping the team’s passing chart with 1,097 and ranking as the third most accurate at 81.8% passes completed heading into the final regular season weekend (well, fourth if you decide to factor in Matt Brucker’s one and only successful pass). As mentioned above, his ability to connect with teammates has led to Kissiedou’s involvement near and in front of goal, having tied for the second-most assists (3) on the second-most chances created (37) among his Memphian teammates, not to mention his place in the 901 FC goal scoring committee with four goals on 42 shots. With strength in numbers in Memphis’ midfield, limiting Kissiedou through the middle of the park could see stifled production for the home side in the regular season finale weekend.

#MEMvIND Gameday Preview  

Indy Eleven at Memphis 901 FC

Saturday, October 30, 2021 – 7:00 P.M. ET  

AutoZone Park – Memphis, Tenn.

 

Follow Live  

Local/National TV: MyINDY-TV 23

Streaming Video: ESPN+ (click to subscribe)  

Radio (Spanish): N/A

In-game updates: @IndyElevenLive Twitter feed, presented by Central Indiana Honda Dealers   

Live stats: #MEMvIND MatchCenter on USLChampionship.com

Official Indy Eleven Watch Party: Union Jack Pub

 

2021 USL CHAMPIONSHIP REGULAR SEASON RECORDS

Indy Eleven: 9W-14L-8D (-12 GD), 35 pts.; 6th in Central Division

Memphis 901 FC: 13W-10L-8D (+2 GD), 47 pts.; 3rd in Central Division

Indy Eleven heads south to end its 2021 USL Championship campaign Saturday night against a Memphis 901 FC squad that is where Indiana’s Team hoped to be, playoff bound. With its midweek win over FC Tulsa, the Tennessee side is in the comforting situation of having its postseason seeding locked in. That gives 901 FC Head Coach Ben Pirmann the option of either resting players and keeping them fresh, or fielding an “A” team to try and keep momentum rolling into the postseason, giving a little bit of unpredictability to what Indiana’s Team may face on the weekend.

And that unpredictability may also spread to Eleven Interim Head Coach Max Rogers’ decision making as well when it comes to line-up choices. Do you go full-bore with your top choice XI and look to grind out a win, the way in which Indy has achieved most of its positive results throughout the season? Maybe you sprinkle in some players that have played limited minutes to get a little more tape for offseason considerations? Or perhaps you just say the heck with it and “release the hounds” towards goal with an attack-heavy formation and personnel? 

We do not have a crystal ball for those answers, so we’ll be just as curious as anyone! However, the least surprising line-up choice would be the inclusion of leading scorer Manuel Arteaga, who has appeared in all 31 matches this season and should be in line to become the eighth player in club history to appear in every regular season contest during a single season (including last year’s trio of Tyler Gibson, Drew Conner, and Nick Moon in the COVID-shortened 16-game campaign). Probably shouldn’t be surprised to see midfielder Peter-Lee Vassell out there as well, the Jamaican international proving his danger in attack last weekend against FC Tulsa with a wonderstrike that garnered Goal of the Week consideration.

The main goal for the Boys in Blue on Saturday is to end their season on a high note – and there have been signs of progress on that front over the last month. Following a six-game losing skid through most of September – which included a 0-1 defeat at AutoZone Park on Sept. 22 – the Eleven have steadied their ship by going 1W-1L-3D the last five times out. Ultimately anything less than a postseason berth is a disappointment, but there’s another potential standings place to be gained with a win and an OKC loss at Tulsa that evening. Throughout an inconsistent season, one constant has shone through, and that’s the fact that effort has never been an issue with this year’s Indy Eleven squad. You can bet they’ll run through the tape and give a full 90 – and then some – one more time to close things out Saturday night.  

 

SERIES HISTORY VS. MEMPHIS 901 FC

USL Championship regular season: 3W-2L-1D (12 GF/6 GA)

USLC regular season away: 2W-1L-0D (7 GF/3 GA)

After bossing the series with Memphis across the last two seasons (3W-0L-0D), 901 FC has managed to strike back with a pair of wins and a draw in 2021. Memphis began to make up ground in the series starting with a 2-1 win on June 5 that saw first half goals by Michael Salazar (3’) and Kyle Murphy (35’) prove enough to stave off an Eleven comeback bid that included Karl Ouimette’s tally deep in second half stoppage time. On July 17, the squads settled for a share of the spoils out of a 1-1 draw at Carroll Stadium, Nick Moon (47’) and Salazar (51’) canceling each other out to start the second half. The first meeting at AutoZone Park back on Sept. 22 saw Murphy’s 31st minute tally stand tall in a 1-0 Memphis win.

 

IND Player to Watch: FW Peter-Lee Vassell

With midfielder Nicky Law and Eleven newcomer Emmanuel Ledesma unavailable for selection in last weekend’s home finale, Vassell stepped up in a big way having opened the scoring with a second half wonderstrike in the eventual 1-1 draw against FC Tulsa. The Jamaican led Indy’s attack in last Saturday’s affair with four chances at goal (three on frame), one of which found the back of the next for his third tally of the season.

International duty (and difficulties re-entering the country that followed one such trip) contributed to Vassell’s limited minutes throughout the year, but the 23-year-old has begun to make up for lost time in recent appearances. Having started the season along the flanks, Vassell’s shift towards the top of the attack has paid dividends, the forward finding creative ways to force mistakes and capitalize on turnovers in the opponent’s defending half as the squad battles through the final stretch of games. With uncertainty around what type of lineup Memphis will roll out with this weekend, having Vassell on deck to break down a potentially makeshift defense could be the key to seeing Indiana’s Team move the win column one last time in 2021.

 

MEM Player to Watch: MF Laurent Kissiedou

At just 22-years old, Kissiedou is continuing his upward trajectory as one of the USL Championship’s rising stars as he closes out his fourth season in the league. The Ivory Coast native has kept consistent numbers across his stat sheet since entering the league in 2017, but he has found himself at the center of important moments more throughout the current campaign after earning his first career Team of the Week honor in Week 1, followed by his career-first Player of the Week plaudit in Week 24 after tallying his first professional brace in a 3-0 win against FC Tulsa.

Kissiedou has been among Memphis’ top distributors through the 2021 season, topping the team’s passing chart with 1,097 and ranking as the third most accurate at 81.8% passes completed heading into the final regular season weekend (well, fourth if you decide to factor in Matt Brucker’s one and only successful pass). As mentioned above, his ability to connect with teammates has led to Kissiedou’s involvement near and in front of goal, having tied for the second-most assists (3) on the second-most chances created (37) among his Memphian teammates, not to mention his place in the 901 FC goal scoring committee with four goals on 42 shots. With strength in numbers in Memphis’ midfield, limiting Kissiedou through the middle of the park could see stifled production for the home side in the regular season finale weekend.

INDIANAPOLIS – Indy Eleven closed out the home portion of its 2021 USL Championship season with a 1-1 draw over playoff bound FC Tulsa Saturday night at Carroll Stadium.

Eleven midfielder Peter-Lee Vassell registered a Goal of the Week caliber strike in the 71st minute for his third goal of 2021. That tally was assisted by club captain Ayoze, the Spanish midfield maestro capping his 100th appearance for Indiana’s Team by taking the team lead in assists all for himself with his fifth helper of the campaign. However, Tulsa evened up through Jason Johnson seven minutes later, a goal that eventually secured the standings point needed for the visitors to claim the Central Division’s fourth and final playoff berth.

While Tulsa was the team in need a result, it was Indy that came out with the attacking impetus – although a couple of shots from distance by Vassell and blocked efforts from Manuel Arteaga and Gershon Koffie in the opening half hour offered just moderate danger.

After a quiet start, things got all sorts of active for Eleven goalkeeper Jordan Farr starting in the 27th minute, when he raced off his line to try and beat Joaquin Rivas to a lofted ball over the backline 30 yards from his goalline. While Rivas looped his shot over Farr, the ball bounced off the left post and spun towards goal, but by then defender Patrick Seagrist was there to sweep the ball off the line.

A minute later, Farr made a more routine play at that same post to save Lebo Moloto’s shot from 25 yards. In the 31st minute, the reigning USL Championship Team of the Week netminder made a key reaction save on Bradley Bourgeois’s point blank header off Rivas’ set piece service. It appeared Tulsa moved the scoreboard in the 38th minute through a Rivas right-footed finish, but the goal was nullified for an offside infraction. That marked the last major look for either side, sending the match into halftime still scoreless.

Indy had the first look of note in the second half five minutes in, but a sliding Arteaga couldn’t get the contact he wanted on Ayoze’s pinpoint service to the top of the six, allowing FC Tulsa ‘keeper Austin Wormell to gather. Seagrist showed up big again in defense three minutes later, putting a strong shoulder into Marlon Santos near the penalty spot to thwart a 1-v-1 look on Farr. Ayoze fancied a look of his own off a Kevin Partida square ball at the top of the area in the 57th minute, but the skipping effort was also gobbled up by Wormell without a spill.

It was a moment of individual brilliance that put the Eleven up in the 71st minute, a short pass by Ayoze setting up Vassell into space on the left flank 25 yards out. From there, the Jamaican international curled a beauty into the far upper corner, causing Wormell to leap in vein and putting Indy up 1-0 heading down the stretch.

Unfortunately, the lead was short lived as Tulsa evened up through a dead ball opportunity in the 78th minute. Moloto’s ball deep into the penalty area was knocked down by Marlon Santos and fell to the feet of Jason Johnson, who powered home in traffic from the six to knot the match at ones.

It was déjà vu for Vassell in the 84th minute, when he found himself in the same spot with the same amount of space as his sublime finish, but this time a low effort to the near post was smothered and covered by Wormell. In the 87th minute Tulsa had their last best chance when da Costa beat his mark across the top of the six to clip Santos’ cross first time, but he sent it just wide right of frame.

Indy Eleven will end its 2021 USL Championship campaign next Saturday, Oct. 30, with an away affair at Memphis 901 FC. Fans can follow the 7:00 p.m. ET kickoff from AutoZone Park live on MyINDY-TV 23, ESPN+, and the @IndyElevenLive Twitter feed, presented by Central Indiana Honda Dealers.

 

USL Championship Regular Season

Indy Eleven  1 : 1  FC Tulsa

Saturday, October 23, 2021

IUPUI Michael A. Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis, IN

 

Indy Eleven: 9W-14L-8D, 35 pts.; 6th place in Central Division

FC Tulsa: 13W-12L-5D, 44 pts.; 4th place in Central Division

 

Scoring Summary

IND – Peter-Lee Vassell (Ayoze) 71’

TUL – Jason Johnson (Marlon Santos) 78’

 

Discipline Summary

TUL – Johnny Fenwick (yellow card) 32’

IND – Manuel Arteaga (yellow card) 43’

IND – Tobi Adewole (yellow card) 77’

 

Indy Eleven line-up (4-5-1): Jordan Farr; Patrick Seagrist, Jared Timmer, Tobi Adewole, Rece Buckmaster; Peter-Lee Vassell (Jeremiah Gutjahr 86’), Gershon Koffie (Karl Ouimette 90’), Kevin Partida, Aboubacar Sissoko (Nick Moon 65’), Ayoze (captain); Manuel Arteaga

IND substitutions: Bobby Edwards (GK), Liam Doyle, Neveal Hackshaw, Aidan Liu

 

FC Tulsa line-up (4-4-2): Austin Wormell; Jorge Corrales, Johnny Fenwick, Kevin Garcia, Bradley Bourgeois; Jason Johnson (Modou Jadama 86’), Lucas Coutinho (Raphael Ayagwa 76’), Lebo Moloto, Marlon Santos; Joaquin Rivas, Rodrigo da Costa

TUL substitutions: Jesus Hernandez, Solomon Kwambe, Ciaran Winters, Daniel Gagliardi, Victor Milke

INDIANAPOLIS – Indy Eleven closed out the home portion of its 2021 USL Championship season with a 1-1 draw over playoff bound FC Tulsa Saturday night at Carroll Stadium.

Eleven midfielder Peter-Lee Vassell registered a Goal of the Week caliber strike in the 71st minute for his third goal of 2021. That tally was assisted by club captain Ayoze, the Spanish midfield maestro capping his 100th appearance for Indiana’s Team by taking the team lead in assists all for himself with his fifth helper of the campaign. However, Tulsa evened up through Jason Johnson seven minutes later, a goal that eventually secured the standings point needed for the visitors to claim the Central Division’s fourth and final playoff berth.

While Tulsa was the team in need a result, it was Indy that came out with the attacking impetus – although a couple of shots from distance by Vassell and blocked efforts from Manuel Arteaga and Gershon Koffie in the opening half hour offered just moderate danger.

After a quiet start, things got all sorts of active for Eleven goalkeeper Jordan Farr starting in the 27th minute, when he raced off his line to try and beat Joaquin Rivas to a lofted ball over the backline 30 yards from his goalline. While Rivas looped his shot over Farr, the ball bounced off the left post and spun towards goal, but by then defender Patrick Seagrist was there to sweep the ball off the line.

A minute later, Farr made a more routine play at that same post to save Lebo Moloto’s shot from 25 yards. In the 31st minute, the reigning USL Championship Team of the Week netminder made a key reaction save on Bradley Bourgeois’s point blank header off Rivas’ set piece service. It appeared Tulsa moved the scoreboard in the 38th minute through a Rivas right-footed finish, but the goal was nullified for an offside infraction. That marked the last major look for either side, sending the match into halftime still scoreless.

Indy had the first look of note in the second half five minutes in, but a sliding Arteaga couldn’t get the contact he wanted on Ayoze’s pinpoint service to the top of the six, allowing FC Tulsa ‘keeper Austin Wormell to gather. Seagrist showed up big again in defense three minutes later, putting a strong shoulder into Marlon Santos near the penalty spot to thwart a 1-v-1 look on Farr. Ayoze fancied a look of his own off a Kevin Partida square ball at the top of the area in the 57th minute, but the skipping effort was also gobbled up by Wormell without a spill.

It was a moment of individual brilliance that put the Eleven up in the 71st minute, a short pass by Ayoze setting up Vassell into space on the left flank 25 yards out. From there, the Jamaican international curled a beauty into the far upper corner, causing Wormell to leap in vein and putting Indy up 1-0 heading down the stretch.

Unfortunately, the lead was short lived as Tulsa evened up through a dead ball opportunity in the 78th minute. Moloto’s ball deep into the penalty area was knocked down by Marlon Santos and fell to the feet of Jason Johnson, who powered home in traffic from the six to knot the match at ones.

It was déjà vu for Vassell in the 84th minute, when he found himself in the same spot with the same amount of space as his sublime finish, but this time a low effort to the near post was smothered and covered by Wormell. In the 87th minute Tulsa had their last best chance when da Costa beat his mark across the top of the six to clip Santos’ cross first time, but he sent it just wide right of frame.

Indy Eleven will end its 2021 USL Championship campaign next Saturday, Oct. 30, with an away affair at Memphis 901 FC. Fans can follow the 7:00 p.m. ET kickoff from AutoZone Park live on MyINDY-TV 23, ESPN+, and the @IndyElevenLive Twitter feed, presented by Central Indiana Honda Dealers.

 

USL Championship Regular Season

Indy Eleven  1 : 1  FC Tulsa

Saturday, October 23, 2021

IUPUI Michael A. Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis, IN

 

Indy Eleven: 9W-14L-8D, 35 pts.; 6th place in Central Division

FC Tulsa: 13W-12L-5D, 44 pts.; 4th place in Central Division

 

Scoring Summary

IND – Peter-Lee Vassell (Ayoze) 71’

TUL – Jason Johnson (Marlon Santos) 78’

 

Discipline Summary

TUL – Johnny Fenwick (yellow card) 32’

IND – Manuel Arteaga (yellow card) 43’

IND – Tobi Adewole (yellow card) 77’

 

Indy Eleven line-up (4-5-1): Jordan Farr; Patrick Seagrist, Jared Timmer, Tobi Adewole, Rece Buckmaster; Peter-Lee Vassell (Jeremiah Gutjahr 86’), Gershon Koffie (Karl Ouimette 90’), Kevin Partida, Aboubacar Sissoko (Nick Moon 65’), Ayoze (captain); Manuel Arteaga

IND substitutions: Bobby Edwards (GK), Liam Doyle, Neveal Hackshaw, Aidan Liu

 

FC Tulsa line-up (4-4-2): Austin Wormell; Jorge Corrales, Johnny Fenwick, Kevin Garcia, Bradley Bourgeois; Jason Johnson (Modou Jadama 86’), Lucas Coutinho (Raphael Ayagwa 76’), Lebo Moloto, Marlon Santos; Joaquin Rivas, Rodrigo da Costa

TUL substitutions: Jesus Hernandez, Solomon Kwambe, Ciaran Winters, Daniel Gagliardi, Victor Milke

#INDvTUL Gameday Preview  

Indy Eleven vs. FC Tulsa

Saturday, October 23, 2021 – 7:00 P.M. ET  

IUPUI Michael A. Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis, Ind.

 

Follow Live  

Local/National TV: MyINDY-TV 23

Streaming Video: ESPN+ (click to subscribe)  

Radio (Spanish): Exitos Radio 94.3 FM / exitos943.com

In-game updates: @IndyElevenLive Twitter feed, presented by Central Indiana Honda Dealers   

Live stats: #INDvTUL MatchCenter on USLChampionship.com
 

2021 USL CHAMPIONSHIP REGULAR SEASON RECORDS

Indy Eleven: 9W-14L-7D (-12 GD), 34 pts.; 7th in Central Division

FC Tulsa: 13W-12L-4D (0 GD), 43 pts.; 4th in Central Division

FC Tulsa’s Wednesday win over Atlanta officially pushed Indy Eleven out of postseason contention, but it just so happens the Boys in Blue will get a chance at an immediate measure of revenge when they host the Oklahoman side in Saturday’s 2021 home finale at “The Mike.”

FC Tulsa will be looking to wrap up the Central Division’s fourth and final playoff spot, and can do just that with either a win or draw. However, as Louisville City FC learned last week, you can’t just walk into Carroll Stadium and expect to boost your postseason standing. Indy’s evenly contested 1-0 victory over LouCity FC last Saturday snapped the Eleven’s six-game winless streak, while also keeping the Kentuckians pinned behind Birmingham for the Central’s top spot. That result likely drew the attention of both Tulsa (43 pts.) and third-place Memphis 901 FC (44 pts.), who Indy will meet in its season finale next weekend. So while Indiana’s Team may not be playoff bound, you can bet your bottom dollar its aiming to continue to impact those proceedings across these final two contests.

That 1-0 win over Louisville was fueled by Manuel Arteaga’s late-game poacher’s tally and a defensive effort highlighted by five saves out of Jordan Farr, an effort that garnered the fourth-year netminder out of Oregon his first career nod to the USL Championship Team of the Week presented by Cleer Audio. Meanwhile, Arteaga’s 10th goal of the campaign continued the Venezuelan’s steady goal haul that includes a goal in three of Indy’s last four contests. In fact, the team’s original “Manu” (no disrespect to Mr. Ledesma) has tallied six of the squad’s last eight tallies dating back to late August, cementing his status as the linchpin of Indy’s attack.

Does postseason elimination change the calculus of who might see the field for Indy across these last two weeks? It’s hard to say, but we do know that Interim Head Coach Max Rogers could have defender Neveal Hackshaw back at his disposal, as the Trinidad & Tobago international has returned to full training and officially been removed from the club’s injured list – which unfortunately tacked on Nicky Law and Gordon Wild during the week.  One face we’d be surprised not to see at some point during the evening is Hackshaw’s frequent left-sided partner Ayoze, who will join the team’s on-field “Century Club” alongside Don Smart (101), current vice-captain Karl Ouimette (104), and the legend Brad Ring (115) with his next appearance.

For Tulsa, until their midweek 4-0 win over Atlanta United 2 it had been a rough go since their last meeting with Indy Eleven, a 2-1 win at ONEOK Field on Sept. 8 which gave the squad a fifth straight victory at the time. However, that was followed by six games without a three-point result, a puzzling 0W-3L-3D stretch with only four goals scored compounded by the fact that four of those contests were at home.

However, Wednesday’s win seemed to cure all ails in the home cooking department, setting up a scenario that sees Tulsa needing just one point from its last three games (@ IND, @ MEM, and vs. OKC) to secure passage to the postseason. In that match, Rodrigo da Costa, Jason Johnson, and Kevin Garcia bundled together three goals in a six-minute span midway through the first half, allowing ample breathing room before Lucas Coutinho’s cherry on top in the 91st minute. The performance was emblematic of Tulsa’s “scoring by committee” approach all season long, featuring four players (da Costa, Dario Suarez, Marlon Santos, and Joaquin Rivas) with at least five goals and six players with at least three assists (led by da Costa’s five helpers).

 

SERIES HISTORY VS. FC TULSA

USL Championship regular season: 1W-2L-0D (3 GF/4 GA)

USL Championship at home: 0W-1L-0D (0 GF/2 GA)

USL Championship on the road: 1W-1L-0D (3 GF/2 GA)

FC Tulsa’s move to the Eastern Conference for the 2021 USL Championship campaign marked the start of a new series, which Indiana’s Team will be looking to pull even in with three points on Saturday. FC Tulsa made the homecoming to IUPUI’s Michael A. Carroll Stadium a rude one back on May 8, as Joaquin Rivas’ second half brace spoiled the Eleven’s 2021 home opener via a 2-0 defeat. Indiana’s Team returned the favor at ONEOK Field on August 4, late goals by Gordon Wild and Peter-Lee Vassell helping the Boys in Blue claim a 2-0 road win of their own. A return to Oklahoma on Sept. 8 was not as kind for Indy, which saw Manuel Arteaga’s 34th minute equalizer nullified by a late Daniel Suarez tally in a 1-2 defeat.

 

IND PLAYER TO WATCH: GK JORDAN FARR

Jordan. #$%@ing. Farr. Indy’s four-year netminder put up a show-stopping performance that kept Louisville City FC scoreless in last Saturday’s 1-0 shutout at Carroll Stadium. Farr’s five saves (including a Save of the Week nomination) earned the ‘keeper his fifth clean sheet of 2021, and the team’s sixth, en route to claiming the 2021 Louisville-Indianapolis Proximity Association Football Contest series, as well as his first career appearance on the USL Championship Team of the Week.

Whether diving, smothering, punching or catching, the Salem, Oregon native was able to neutralize one of the league’s strongest attacks in LouCity FC last weekend. Saves aside, one of Farr’s biggest strengths is his ability to communicate. Anyone that has watched Farr play in person knows that he is constantly chatting from the box, be it organizing those in front of him, calling out his catches or even just hyping up his teammates across the pitch. Farr will need to ensure his communications skills remain sharp in order to help slow a high-pressing Tulsa attack.

 

TUL PLAYER TO WATCH: MF RODRIGO DA COSTA

FC Tulsa has been consistent in the attacking third all season long, but none of its players have been nearly as dialed in as da Costa in front of the opposition’s net. The 27-year-old currently leads his side in goals (11), assists (5) and chances created (41), and he shows no sign of slowing down as the Black and Gold continue to fight to secure the final playoff position in the Central Division.

The Brazilian was an important figure in Tulsa’s offensive press Wednesday evening, notching the game-winning goal in the 17th minute, as well as tallying three shots, three key passes and assisting the nail-in-the-coffin strike in second half stoppage time along the way. His score-opening strike was opportunistic, da Costa tapping the ball in from close-range on his first touch as forward Joaquin Rivas pulled multiple defenders off their marks before assisting on the strike. da Costa’s assist on the final goal is a testament to his ability to read the game, having made a deep run along the left edge of Atlanta’s 18 before bending a low cross in front of two defenders inside the penalty area to Lucas Coutinho. Indy will want to keep da Costa as far away from the goal as possible come Saturday.

#INDvTUL Gameday Preview  

Indy Eleven vs. FC Tulsa

Saturday, October 23, 2021 – 7:00 P.M. ET  

IUPUI Michael A. Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis, Ind.

 

Follow Live  

Local/National TV: MyINDY-TV 23

Streaming Video: ESPN+ (click to subscribe)  

Radio (Spanish): Exitos Radio 94.3 FM / exitos943.com

In-game updates: @IndyElevenLive Twitter feed, presented by Central Indiana Honda Dealers   

Live stats: #INDvTUL MatchCenter on USLChampionship.com
 

2021 USL CHAMPIONSHIP REGULAR SEASON RECORDS

Indy Eleven: 9W-14L-7D (-12 GD), 34 pts.; 7th in Central Division

FC Tulsa: 13W-12L-4D (0 GD), 43 pts.; 4th in Central Division

FC Tulsa’s Wednesday win over Atlanta officially pushed Indy Eleven out of postseason contention, but it just so happens the Boys in Blue will get a chance at an immediate measure of revenge when they host the Oklahoman side in Saturday’s 2021 home finale at “The Mike.”

FC Tulsa will be looking to wrap up the Central Division’s fourth and final playoff spot, and can do just that with either a win or draw. However, as Louisville City FC learned last week, you can’t just walk into Carroll Stadium and expect to boost your postseason standing. Indy’s evenly contested 1-0 victory over LouCity FC last Saturday snapped the Eleven’s six-game winless streak, while also keeping the Kentuckians pinned behind Birmingham for the Central’s top spot. That result likely drew the attention of both Tulsa (43 pts.) and third-place Memphis 901 FC (44 pts.), who Indy will meet in its season finale next weekend. So while Indiana’s Team may not be playoff bound, you can bet your bottom dollar its aiming to continue to impact those proceedings across these final two contests.

That 1-0 win over Louisville was fueled by Manuel Arteaga’s late-game poacher’s tally and a defensive effort highlighted by five saves out of Jordan Farr, an effort that garnered the fourth-year netminder out of Oregon his first career nod to the USL Championship Team of the Week presented by Cleer Audio. Meanwhile, Arteaga’s 10th goal of the campaign continued the Venezuelan’s steady goal haul that includes a goal in three of Indy’s last four contests. In fact, the team’s original “Manu” (no disrespect to Mr. Ledesma) has tallied six of the squad’s last eight tallies dating back to late August, cementing his status as the linchpin of Indy’s attack.

Does postseason elimination change the calculus of who might see the field for Indy across these last two weeks? It’s hard to say, but we do know that Interim Head Coach Max Rogers could have defender Neveal Hackshaw back at his disposal, as the Trinidad & Tobago international has returned to full training and officially been removed from the club’s injured list – which unfortunately tacked on Nicky Law and Gordon Wild during the week.  One face we’d be surprised not to see at some point during the evening is Hackshaw’s frequent left-sided partner Ayoze, who will join the team’s on-field “Century Club” alongside Don Smart (101), current vice-captain Karl Ouimette (104), and the legend Brad Ring (115) with his next appearance.

For Tulsa, until their midweek 4-0 win over Atlanta United 2 it had been a rough go since their last meeting with Indy Eleven, a 2-1 win at ONEOK Field on Sept. 8 which gave the squad a fifth straight victory at the time. However, that was followed by six games without a three-point result, a puzzling 0W-3L-3D stretch with only four goals scored compounded by the fact that four of those contests were at home.

However, Wednesday’s win seemed to cure all ails in the home cooking department, setting up a scenario that sees Tulsa needing just one point from its last three games (@ IND, @ MEM, and vs. OKC) to secure passage to the postseason. In that match, Rodrigo da Costa, Jason Johnson, and Kevin Garcia bundled together three goals in a six-minute span midway through the first half, allowing ample breathing room before Lucas Coutinho’s cherry on top in the 91st minute. The performance was emblematic of Tulsa’s “scoring by committee” approach all season long, featuring four players (da Costa, Dario Suarez, Marlon Santos, and Joaquin Rivas) with at least five goals and six players with at least three assists (led by da Costa’s five helpers).

 

SERIES HISTORY VS. FC TULSA

USL Championship regular season: 1W-2L-0D (3 GF/4 GA)

USL Championship at home: 0W-1L-0D (0 GF/2 GA)

USL Championship on the road: 1W-1L-0D (3 GF/2 GA)

FC Tulsa’s move to the Eastern Conference for the 2021 USL Championship campaign marked the start of a new series, which Indiana’s Team will be looking to pull even in with three points on Saturday. FC Tulsa made the homecoming to IUPUI’s Michael A. Carroll Stadium a rude one back on May 8, as Joaquin Rivas’ second half brace spoiled the Eleven’s 2021 home opener via a 2-0 defeat. Indiana’s Team returned the favor at ONEOK Field on August 4, late goals by Gordon Wild and Peter-Lee Vassell helping the Boys in Blue claim a 2-0 road win of their own. A return to Oklahoma on Sept. 8 was not as kind for Indy, which saw Manuel Arteaga’s 34th minute equalizer nullified by a late Daniel Suarez tally in a 1-2 defeat.

 

IND PLAYER TO WATCH: GK JORDAN FARR

Jordan. #$%@ing. Farr. Indy’s four-year netminder put up a show-stopping performance that kept Louisville City FC scoreless in last Saturday’s 1-0 shutout at Carroll Stadium. Farr’s five saves (including a Save of the Week nomination) earned the ‘keeper his fifth clean sheet of 2021, and the team’s sixth, en route to claiming the 2021 Louisville-Indianapolis Proximity Association Football Contest series, as well as his first career appearance on the USL Championship Team of the Week.

Whether diving, smothering, punching or catching, the Salem, Oregon native was able to neutralize one of the league’s strongest attacks in LouCity FC last weekend. Saves aside, one of Farr’s biggest strengths is his ability to communicate. Anyone that has watched Farr play in person knows that he is constantly chatting from the box, be it organizing those in front of him, calling out his catches or even just hyping up his teammates across the pitch. Farr will need to ensure his communications skills remain sharp in order to help slow a high-pressing Tulsa attack.

 

TUL PLAYER TO WATCH: MF RODRIGO DA COSTA

FC Tulsa has been consistent in the attacking third all season long, but none of its players have been nearly as dialed in as da Costa in front of the opposition’s net. The 27-year-old currently leads his side in goals (11), assists (5) and chances created (41), and he shows no sign of slowing down as the Black and Gold continue to fight to secure the final playoff position in the Central Division.

The Brazilian was an important figure in Tulsa’s offensive press Wednesday evening, notching the game-winning goal in the 17th minute, as well as tallying three shots, three key passes and assisting the nail-in-the-coffin strike in second half stoppage time along the way. His score-opening strike was opportunistic, da Costa tapping the ball in from close-range on his first touch as forward Joaquin Rivas pulled multiple defenders off their marks before assisting on the strike. da Costa’s assist on the final goal is a testament to his ability to read the game, having made a deep run along the left edge of Atlanta’s 18 before bending a low cross in front of two defenders inside the penalty area to Lucas Coutinho. Indy will want to keep da Costa as far away from the goal as possible come Saturday.