Indy Eleven vs Loudoun United - 10.08

Summary

- Opponent: Loudoun United
- Location: Segra Field
- Attendance: -
- Final Score: 2-1 W

- Starting XI: Oettl, Boudadi, Vazquez, Diz Pe, Dambrot, Blake, Lindley, Quinn, Asante, Martinez, Guenzatti (C)

- Substitution: Jerome 45' (Vazquez); Robledo 71' (Lindley); Tejada 82' (Guenzatti); Rissi 90'+5' (Asante)

- Unused: Trilk

- Scoring Summary:
LDN – ElMedkhar 6’ (assist Santos)
IND - Guenzatti 73' (assist Boudadi)
IND - Tejada 90' (assist Martinez)

- Bookings:

IND – Vazquez 30’ (Yellow)
LDN - Zanne 37' (Yellow)
IND - Dambrot 45' (Yellow)
LDN - Garay 45'+2' (Yellow)
IND - Lindley 56' (Yellow)
IND - Diz Pe 65' (Yellow)
LDN - ElMedkhar 70' (Yellow)
IND - Quinn 89' (Yellow)

- Referee: Danielle Chesky

- Adage goals: None (but just barely...)

Thoughts and Opinions

I didn't even have all of the pregame stats into my spreadsheets and graphics before Indy was already "chasing the game." It's been a common refrain this season. As in every game except for the nil-nil draw against Las Vegas and the 1-nil win at Detroit. However, this was the fastest they've put themselves in the position, but that only means that Indy was behind for more of the game. What hasn't been common is the opposing team winning the possession battle, but that happened in this game too. 

"Cause ain't no such things as halfway crooks!"

Yeah, you can tell me Indy had their chances, and that the game ended with the statistics close to each other for both teams, but Indy should have left Segra Field with another loss. They managed to hang around, received some good luck from some bad calls and decisions from the referee and assistant referees, and absolutely left Leesburg with 3 points that didn't belong to them. Indy need to get on the bus and then the plane, and get back to Indy as fast as they can thanking the fact that they weren't detained by the police for stealing. 

There's no way Indy should have gotten anything out of this game. Loudoun had a goal in the 62nd minute that was clearly in the goal that wasn't awarded. There was a touch/pass from Jerome that Oettl touched with his hand that should have been called a foul for an indirect free kick inside the box, and probably a red card on Oettl for stopping a clear scoring chance. Instead, Indy found an equalizer in the 73rd minute from a goal by Guenzatti that he snuck between the post and Fauroux. Then Tejada finally made a run by an Indy player that wasn't called back for offside and found himself one on one with Fauroux, that he nicely finished to solidify the theft. 

When you're struggling like Indy is right now to finish on the right side of their effort in games, whatever it takes to secure a win is appreciated, but Loudoun have a serious and deserved complaint about the result from this game. Indy stays on the road to face Sacramento next weekend before returning to The Mike in two weeks to face Colorado Springs. Maybe this win will catapult Indy to a  win against some Western Conference competition.

The Game Beckons Game Ball

Tejada did the most with his minutes tonight. He only had a couple of touches, but was clinical in his finishing, which has been an issue with Indy's forwards this year. He also managed to stay on side when his opportunity presented itself from Martinez's flick-on header, which is something that had been an issue with Indy's forwards this game (7 total...). So Tejada gets tonight's GBGB.