Indy Eleven Gameday & Match Preview
Indy Eleven vs. Bethlehem Steel FC – #INDvBST
Saturday, October 6, 2018 – 7:00 P.M. EST
Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, IN
Watch/Listen Live:
- Local/National TV: MyINDY-TV23
- Streaming Video: ESPN+ ($)
Follow Live:
- In-game updates: Follow @IndyElevenLive on Twitter
- Official stats: USL Match Center
Week 30 | And Then There Was Two
Indy Eleven face Bethlehem Steel FC for the third time in 2018, as the winner of the October 6 fixture takes the three game 2018 USL regular season series between the two sides.
Indy Eleven (13W-10L-9D) are currently in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with 48 points after falling to FC Cincinnati in their previous match, 3-0. The “Boys in Blue” were unable to add to their 44-goal haul in 2018, as Eleven goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams saw the Eastern Conference champions put three past him. The three goals bring Indy’s conceded tally to 40 on the season. Indy’s leading goal scorer, forward Jack McInerney, was unable to score his 11th goal of the 2018 campaign. A positive note from the match came in the 66th minute when forward Eugene Starikov made a substitute appearance after a recent injury. The “Boys in Blue” now aim to secure a victory in their final home game of the 2018 season. A victory is vital to head Coach Martin Rennie’s side, as they have yet to secure a playoff position.
Bethlehem Steel FC (13W-12L-7D) sit one position behind Indy Eleven in the Eastern Conference standings with 46 points. Steel FC had the opportunity to take fifth place from Indy on goal differential, but was unable to do so after a draw 0-0 with Ottawa Fury FC. The team’s leading goal scorer, forward Santi Moar, was unable to score his seventh of the season. Goalkeeper Jake McGuire recorded his fifth clean sheet of the season in the stalemate, as Bethlehem kept their 40 goals conceded this season on par with Indy Eleven. Despite not finding the back of the net, Steel FC remain in the top five in goal scoring in the Eastern Conference with 54 goals. Steel FC have found the back of the net 21 times in 16 road games.
Indy Eleven Player to Watch | FW Eugene Starikov
Indy Eleven forward Eugene Starikov is in his first season with Indy Eleven after being signed in the offseason from former rivals New York Cosmos. The forward has managed five goals in 18 appearances throughout the 2018 season. That number could be even higher if not for the injury bug plaguing the 29-yeard old forward in his first year.
The good news is Starikov received minutes against FC Cincinnati in the team’s last outing after a recent minor injury. Starikov’s athleticism has made him a versatile pairing alongside striking partner McInerney. During the seven games in 22 days in July and August, Starikov and McInerney were lethal when playing alongside each other, scoring a combined six goals in the stretch.
Bethlehem Steel FC Player to Watch | MF Fabian Herbers
Bethlehem Steel FC midfielder Fabian Herbers hasn’t recorded a plethora of starts in the 2018 campaign, playing and starting in only 13 fixtures. Despite the melodramatic number of appearances, Herbers has made each of them count. The German midfielder has accounted for nine goals during the 13 starts.
The 25-year-old has scored five goals and assisted on four this season. He was unable to impact the scoreline in their previous fixture against Ottawa Fury FC in the 90 minutes he was on the pitch, but made an impact in the first fixture against Indy Eleven in Week 10. Herbers created Moar’s opening goal against the “Boys in Blue”.
Matchup to Mark | Indy DF Carlyle Mitchell vs. Steel FC FW Santi Moar
Saturday night’s final home game of Indy Eleven’s inaugural 2018 USL Season will likely feature a classic center-back-against-forward matchup. Indy Eleven defender Carlyle Mitchell will look to shut down Steel FC’s Moar, as the both teams aim for a higher position in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Moar has been a threat all season, especially against Indy Eleven. The team’s leading goal scorer currently has six goals in 2018 with one of those goals coming against Indy Eleven in Week 10. Moar’s quick feet and ability to find space in back lines that leave center backs questioning who had marked him make the 25-year-old forward from Spain so dangerous in the front third. His goal against the “Boys in Blue” came as the result of Moar finding unmarked space in Indy Eleven’s 18-yard box.
It will be Mitchell’s responsibility to clear balls out of the box played in towards Moar. Mitchell currently leads Indy’s backline in clearances with 183. The next closest defender is Karl Ouimette, who is 50 behind the Trinidad and Tobago native. Mitchell was also forced out of the fixture Moar scored in at halftime in Week 10. Moar’s goal, and Bethlehem’s two goals, didn’t come until the second half when Mitchell’s presence was no longer felt on the pitch.
Mitchell returned to play the full 90 minutes in the second fixture against Bethlehem. That match resulted in a 1-0 victory for “Indiana’s Team” with Mitchell racking up three tackles and a clearance. The “Boys in Blue” will need the 31-year-old, veteran center back in order to shut out a sturdy Bethlehem offense again on October 6.
Catch "Indiana's Team" at home for the last time this season this Saturday, October 6, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets to the home finale are available at www.indyeleven.com/Tickets or by calling (317)685-1100.
Indy Eleven Gameday & Match Preview
Indy Eleven vs. Bethlehem Steel FC – #INDvBST
Saturday, October 6, 2018 – 7:00 P.M. EST
Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, IN
Watch/Listen Live:
- Local/National TV: MyINDY-TV23
- Streaming Video: ESPN+ ($)
Follow Live:
- In-game updates: Follow @IndyElevenLive on Twitter
- Official stats: USL Match Center
Week 30 | And Then There Was Two
Indy Eleven face Bethlehem Steel FC for the third time in 2018, as the winner of the October 6 fixture takes the three game 2018 USL regular season series between the two sides.
Indy Eleven (13W-10L-9D) are currently in fifth place in the Eastern Conference with 48 points after falling to FC Cincinnati in their previous match, 3-0. The “Boys in Blue” were unable to add to their 44-goal haul in 2018, as Eleven goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams saw the Eastern Conference champions put three past him. The three goals bring Indy’s conceded tally to 40 on the season. Indy’s leading goal scorer, forward Jack McInerney, was unable to score his 11th goal of the 2018 campaign. A positive note from the match came in the 66th minute when forward Eugene Starikov made a substitute appearance after a recent injury. The “Boys in Blue” now aim to secure a victory in their final home game of the 2018 season. A victory is vital to head Coach Martin Rennie’s side, as they have yet to secure a playoff position.
Bethlehem Steel FC (13W-12L-7D) sit one position behind Indy Eleven in the Eastern Conference standings with 46 points. Steel FC had the opportunity to take fifth place from Indy on goal differential, but was unable to do so after a draw 0-0 with Ottawa Fury FC. The team’s leading goal scorer, forward Santi Moar, was unable to score his seventh of the season. Goalkeeper Jake McGuire recorded his fifth clean sheet of the season in the stalemate, as Bethlehem kept their 40 goals conceded this season on par with Indy Eleven. Despite not finding the back of the net, Steel FC remain in the top five in goal scoring in the Eastern Conference with 54 goals. Steel FC have found the back of the net 21 times in 16 road games.
Indy Eleven Player to Watch | FW Eugene Starikov
Indy Eleven forward Eugene Starikov is in his first season with Indy Eleven after being signed in the offseason from former rivals New York Cosmos. The forward has managed five goals in 18 appearances throughout the 2018 season. That number could be even higher if not for the injury bug plaguing the 29-yeard old forward in his first year.
The good news is Starikov received minutes against FC Cincinnati in the team’s last outing after a recent minor injury. Starikov’s athleticism has made him a versatile pairing alongside striking partner McInerney. During the seven games in 22 days in July and August, Starikov and McInerney were lethal when playing alongside each other, scoring a combined six goals in the stretch.
Bethlehem Steel FC Player to Watch | MF Fabian Herbers
Bethlehem Steel FC midfielder Fabian Herbers hasn’t recorded a plethora of starts in the 2018 campaign, playing and starting in only 13 fixtures. Despite the melodramatic number of appearances, Herbers has made each of them count. The German midfielder has accounted for nine goals during the 13 starts.
The 25-year-old has scored five goals and assisted on four this season. He was unable to impact the scoreline in their previous fixture against Ottawa Fury FC in the 90 minutes he was on the pitch, but made an impact in the first fixture against Indy Eleven in Week 10. Herbers created Moar’s opening goal against the “Boys in Blue”.
Matchup to Mark | Indy DF Carlyle Mitchell vs. Steel FC FW Santi Moar
Saturday night’s final home game of Indy Eleven’s inaugural 2018 USL Season will likely feature a classic center-back-against-forward matchup. Indy Eleven defender Carlyle Mitchell will look to shut down Steel FC’s Moar, as the both teams aim for a higher position in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Moar has been a threat all season, especially against Indy Eleven. The team’s leading goal scorer currently has six goals in 2018 with one of those goals coming against Indy Eleven in Week 10. Moar’s quick feet and ability to find space in back lines that leave center backs questioning who had marked him make the 25-year-old forward from Spain so dangerous in the front third. His goal against the “Boys in Blue” came as the result of Moar finding unmarked space in Indy Eleven’s 18-yard box.
It will be Mitchell’s responsibility to clear balls out of the box played in towards Moar. Mitchell currently leads Indy’s backline in clearances with 183. The next closest defender is Karl Ouimette, who is 50 behind the Trinidad and Tobago native. Mitchell was also forced out of the fixture Moar scored in at halftime in Week 10. Moar’s goal, and Bethlehem’s two goals, didn’t come until the second half when Mitchell’s presence was no longer felt on the pitch.
Mitchell returned to play the full 90 minutes in the second fixture against Bethlehem. That match resulted in a 1-0 victory for “Indiana’s Team” with Mitchell racking up three tackles and a clearance. The “Boys in Blue” will need the 31-year-old, veteran center back in order to shut out a sturdy Bethlehem offense again on October 6.
Catch “Indiana’s Team” at home for the last time this season this Saturday, October 6, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets to the home finale are available at www.indyeleven.com/Tickets or by calling (317)685-1100.
