Indy Eleven vs Las Vegas Lights FC - 11.24

Summary

- Opponent: Las Vegas Lights FC
- Location: Cashman Field
- Attendance: 4,532
- Final Score: 3-2 L

- Starting XI: Oettl, Mines, O'Brien, J., Musa, Neidlinger, Gibson (C), Blake, Wootton, Collier, Guenzatti, Williams, R.

- Substitution: Ofeimu 45' (O'Brien, J.); Foster 45' (Blake); O'Brien, E. 63' (Collier); Lindley 72' (Wootton); Henderlong 84' (Neidlinger)

- Unused: Sulte, McCoy

- Scoring Summary:
LV - Ngando 2' (assist Pinzon)
IND - Guenzatti 26' (assist Blake)
LV - Noel 43' (assist Pinzon)
IND - Collier 45'+3' (assist Blake)
LV - Bennett 45'+4' (assist Doody)

- Bookings:

LV - Arozarena 21' (Yellow)
LV - Ngando 34' (Yellow)
LV - Nigro 54' (Yellow)
IND - Mines 58' (Yellow)

- Referee: Trevor Wiseman

- Adage goals: THREE

Thoughts and Opinions

After a weekend off, Indy found themselves having to make hard decisions about tonight's, and the upcoming week's, game(s). Coach McAuley has repeatedly stated that player rotation can often happen within a game, not just how players are used game-to-game. With tonight's game against Las Vegas, an arguably the most important game in the club's history on Tuesday in the U.S. Open Cup semifinal against MLS side Kansas City, and a game next weekend against Pittsburgh, player rotation finally showed itself the way most people think of rotation. This was a lineup of Indy's "B" side, if you want to call it that. The lineup had guys that have starter minutes at times, but it was clear that McAuley had an eye on Tuesday's game with this lineup. With the stakes so high on Tuesday, more on that in a minute, it's not surprising that McAuley took the route he did with tonight's lineup.

In a different year against a Las Vegas side, that might have been acceptable. This, however, is a different Las Vegas team and when they get a goal in the 2nd minute, Indy had a steep hill to climb. Don't think the Lights didn't take notice that this lineup for Indy was not the normal starters for Indy. Coming off their own loss, which ended an 11-game undefeated streak, Las Vegas didn't need extra motivation, but seeing Indy's lineup probably provided a little extra desire to come out quickly to pay Indy for the potential perceived disrespect. Knowing that if they could put Indy down early, a shuffled lineup would struggle to get back into the game.

Yet, McAuley kept saying that the lineup against LV would be one that he thought could still win the game. Despite the absolute worst start for the group, Indy did get back into the game through a set piece recycle where Blake put the ball over the defense to Guenzatti, who settled and then slotted the ball under Arozarena for an equalizer midway through the first half. As the half progressed, Marion Crowder on the telecast described the first half with "response." Las Vegas found a second goal just before the 45 minute mark. Indy, to their credit, found a response and a 2nd equalizer in the 45'+3'. Las Vegas then rounded out the scoring in the half with their own equalizer in the 45'+4' to send the teams to the locker room after a hectic first half with 21 combined shots, 8 combined shots on target, and 5 goals.

The fireworks of the first half didn't translate to the second half, which was done in a much more measured approach for both teams. McAuley made changes at halftime to save legs for a couple players that are likely going to be in the starting lineup on Tuesday, while also giving some run for other guys in that situation. Las Vegas had a lead without a ton of pressure from Indy so they didn't have to push the issue as much, though they were definitely more the aggressor than Indy. The Match Center showed Indy without a single shot in the 2nd half. In some ways, Indy looked like they were playing for a draw that they didn't have. Thanks to the results of the teams around them in the table, the loss didn't drastically affect Indy's placement. Detroit leap-frogged Indy due to their crowded August schedule, but Indy still have a game-in-hand on Detroit. 

While you would love to see Indy play its best team in all games, the game against Kansas City on Tuesday is clearly an important game for the club, with a lot at stake with a win. As the USL documented this week, a win could either lead to a home game in the tournament final or a spot in the 2025 CONCACAF Champions Cup. 

Here’s how:

The starting point is that the winner of the U.S. Open Cup earns a berth into the CCC.

However, if the winner has earned a CCC spot through a different qualification process, the runner-up gets the spot allotted to the Open Cup.

So, if LAFC – who recently secured a CCC spot by advancing to the 2024 Leagues Cup Final – defeats the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday night to advance to the Open Cup Final, then the Open Cup CCC berth would automatically be given to the other finalist.

So, all Indy Eleven needs to do is defeat Sporting KC on Tuesday night then hope LAFC gets the job done.

With a potential CCC spot on the line, I'm okay with the decision. A crowded middle of the Eastern Conference makes Indy's spot in the table tenuous, but sometime you have to make one decision that could help the club in the long term and hope that it doesn't hurt you in the near term.

Hopefully this is a case of Indy losing the battle, but winning the war. It will be unfortunate if Indy lose the battle, then lose the war as a result, but plenty of games left in the season to see how this week's decisions pan out. Indy, and a drastically different lineup, will take to the field in three days in the U.S. Open Cup semifinal against Sporting Kansas City.

The Game Beckons Game Ball

I want to give Guenzatti the GBGB purely for his effort, but he was also rewarded for that effort with a goal, so it makes it easier for my reasoning. Seba has often done the yeomen's work this season trying to connect the defense to the forwards, being team first when he can clearly still score goals. However, his effort tonight was wasted at times because his running mate up top (Romario...) does not put in the same kind of effort. While Guenzatti could be seen trying to press the back line of Las Vegas, a tactic that worked well in the first half to get Indy back into the game, Williams was often not putting in any effort in that regard. The goal helps, but Guenzatti gets tonight's GBGB because he put in a lunch pail shift and I appreciate the effort.

Blake gets an honorable mention because his 45-minutes was stellar. He had the assist on both goals and at times in that half of play looked like the best player on the field for Indy at finding his teammates in places to make them successful. It's good to have him back in the lineup.

The youngster gets an honorable honorable mention. Neidlinger is deserving of his minutes on a pro team as a teenager. Every minute of every game is making him a better player and he deserves to be o the field.