Indy Eleven vs Colorado Springs Switchbacks - 09.14

Summary

- Opponent: Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- Location: Weidner Field
- Attendance: -
- Final Score: 4-3 L

- Starting XI: Meredith, Timmer, Jerome, Cochran (C), McQueen, Ingram, Law, Aguilera, Fjeldberg, Arteaga, Asante
- Substitution: Ayoze 70' (Fjeldberg); Hackshaw 71' (McQueen); Powder 72' (Law); Brown 76' (Aguilera); Rebellon 86' (Timmer)

- Unused: Svetanoff, Michael 

- Scoring Summary:
COL - Ngalina 17' (assist Lindley)
IND - Arteaga 28' (assist Law)
COL - Barry 45'+1' (Penalty Kick)
IND - Aguilera 63' (assist Law)
COL - Zandi 66' (unassisted)
COL - Ngalina 69' (assist Barry) 
IND - Arteaga 90'+6' (assist Rebellon)

- Bookings:
IND - Asante 22' (Yellow) 
COL - Ockford 60' (Yellow)
IND - Jerome 64' (Yellow)
IND - Aguilera 75' (Yellow)
COL - Erdmann 89' (Yellow)

- Referee: Elijio Arreguin
- Adage goals: None

Thoughts and Opinions

Between the men's and women's teams, this is my fourth article in 8 days. I might have reached my limit for words this week. I just don't know what to say about this game. It's not like it didn't have action. Seven goals. Five yellow cards. Lindley having to be separated from Aguilera. Arteaga scoring a brace, with Law matching the brace on the assist side. Stoppage time goals. A first half stoppage time penalty kick!

There was action, but I find myself not knowing what to say about this game. The Switchbacks are a good team, and there is a reason why they are top of the league, and Indy played them well after settling into the game. Statistically, there wasn't much difference between the two teams. Other than the obvious fourth goal, which if Ngalina is honest with everybody, probably wasn't a shot, but went in anyway. 

So that means Indy played one of the best teams in the league to a virtual stalemate. Given the game was at altitude, Indy was getting guys back from international duty, and Pinho was missing after picking up a knock during the week of training, I think Coach Lowry and the boys would have taken a draw out of this game. This game was a draw in nearly all the ways except the one that counts. 

Indy returns home for a week of training before heading back west to face Landon Donovan, Nick Moon, and the San Diego Loyal in Indy's final game of their month-long away game stretch. After the San Diego trip, Indy get to return to The Mike and the newly installed turf. 

The Game Beckons Game Ball

The hat trick broke the seal and Arteaga added to his goal scoring total after his slow start to the season. A confident Arteaga is going to be an important factor for this team moving forward the rest of the season, and both of his goals tonight were well done. A guy like Arteaga plays until the final whistle and will work to get every goal he can, even if it happens to be in the 90'+6'.