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A busy week for Indy Eleven has the pressure on ahead of their match against Minnesota United this weekend. To say the season up to this point has been expected would be an understatement. While the play on the field has been more good than bad, the full ninety minutes that soccer matches demand have been the thorn in the side of the entire field for Indy Eleven. While no one (including the media) expected Indy to reach the top of the table this season, the lost opportunities that the team have forfeited halted the momentum the team had since before the Carolina game. Now, a busy week of two signings, two match announcements, and the unfortunate news of an indefinite injury have put Indy Eleven in a position where the expectations are high and the reward can only be higher.
Kleberson out indefinitely:
The news of midfielder Jose Kleberson’s surgery on his Achilles wasn’t shocking to Indy fans, but it will leave a tangible void on Indy’s roster. While Kleberson hadn’t played any regular season minutes in 2015, his skill set and ability to create was a need that Indy Eleven could use after their lose to Jacksonville. “I had many good plans for myself alongside the team this year, but unfortunately the body often does not respond as we would like. I cannot express how much it saddens and disappoints me to not meet these expectations. Indy Eleven and its fans did not deserve this – my goal has always been to repay all the love and trust I received here from day one.” It wouldn’t be shocking to see Indy perhaps make a move to find another midfielder to replace Kleberson before the Fall season.
The first home win:
Indy played like an expansion team would last season. While they were competitive in most aspects of play, they still struggled to get much done before the last few games of the fall season. There isn’t a shortage of intensity between the two teams either. While Indy lost two of the three matches the team played last season, the lone win the Boys in Blue managed to secure means more than the two losses:
Struggles for Indy:
There are a number of issues that became visible after the Jacksonville game. Coach Juergen Sommer seems set on playing a slow, defensive-paced game where Indy is keen on sitting back and letting the other team wear themselves out, but after Jacksonville, it might be time to rework the tactics used. “The guys were working hard to try and keep that unbeaten streak going, so there was some disappointment that we couldn’t get that done,” said head coach Juergen Sommer. “Defensively we were all kind of frustrated that we couldn’t keep that clean sheet, but overall we didn’t give up too much in front of Cardona, which was good.”
The team has spent much of their time addressing the faults Jacksonville exposed, tending to the issues in the back and creating more offense in the front. Charlie Rugg has struggled to bring his creative and quick decisions he showed at the end of 2014. This season it’s been up to Wojcik Wojciech to create space.
The struggles Indy has felt seem to be falling more and more on the midfield as well as the lack of experience throughout the pitch. With news of Kleberson not returning for an indefinite amount of time, the need for offensive experience has become more of a need each week. While Brian Brown has incredible pace, the fact that Charlie Rugg at 24 is the oldest forward on the team leaves the need for an experienced set of legs to join up front.
Who’s the goalkeeper?
While Keith Cardona did a splendid job last week in his first professional start for Indy, German goalkeeper Kristian Nicht’s re-signed with Indy Eleven after starting for Montreal in the CONCACAF Champions League Final. “My short time in Montreal was a great experience, but it’s an honor to return to some unfinished business here with Indy Eleven,” said Nicht. “The response from the fans initially was honestly a bit overwhelming, so I’m incredibly happy to be back in Indianapolis and playing in front of the Brickyard Battalion and the best fans in the NASL.” Nicht, who has started every game except last week’s match in Jacksonville, has proven to be a leader for Indy Eleven. With Nicht back between the pipes, the defense will be expected to be more solid and fluid against an attack that Indy has been burned by before.
Final thought:
Indy has a lot of cleaning up to do. With the result of the Jacksonville game and the issues that game showed still in the rear view mirror, supporters are expecting a quick turnaround. In order for Indy Eleven to salvage any part of their Spring Season they need to tighten up. Indy Eleven have to figure out how to get the front line working with the backline and get everyone working as a unit. As the team takes on Minnesota United, who is still dangerous despite only one win, they look to right the issues they have had. Every match is a must win, but this match particularly holds a deep meaning if Indy wants to be in the playoffs this fall.
Score prediction:
2-1 Minnesota United
