Indianapolis, Indiana- If Tuesday night’s match against Brooklyn was about efficiency in the attack – Sunday was the opposite. With 17 shots and 7 on target, Indy were unable to score. Compared to Tuesday’s 5 shots on target, and 4 goals.
After the first 20 or so minutes, both teams played a fairly tight contest. Neither side really dominated, and both created chances as we reached halftime. Indy (statically) had the better chances. Getting 3 shots on target compared to 0 from Oakland in the first half. Oakland just couldn’t fully challenge Eric Dick in goal.
The biggest thing I noticed was Oakland appeared to want Indy to have the ball. Normally a possession heavy side, the Roots wanted the typically counter-attacking side to have the ball. You can see this in the possession data – Indy had 52% from the night, and 59% in the second half. Making a team who plays Route One counter attacking, playing possession heavy style on tired legs – well, it seemed to work out for the visitors.
At the half, McAuley noticed this approach, and corrected his side at the break. Changing from their 4-4-2 to a 4-3-3. Simplifying the midfield assignments, and getting Bruno more space up top. However, this left Lindley as the lone pivot in the back. Creating some gaps in front of Indy’s defensive line that were typically covered by both Lindley and Quinn.
Oakland spotted this and attacked this weak point. Wolfgang Prentice was able to exploit this gap and found one the best strikers in the Championship (Wilson) who only needed the one chance, and converted. Didn’t help that 6 minutes earlier, Lindley went out with an injury. Missing his first league minutes of the season.
Indy would rotate again later to a 4-2-4 as the team pushed for a late equalizer, but to no avail. Out shooting the visitors 17 – 13, with more shots on target (7 – 3), and more of the ball (52%) – normally means at least one goal. Except, Oakland’s McIntosh put in a solid performance in goal for the visitors. Putting in a Man of the Match performance with 6 saves on the night + the clean sheet.
“The goalkeeper [McIntosh] had a really excellent game for them…their keeper made a couple of really, really good saves” – Coach McAuley
When asked about the halftime changes, here is what McAuley had to say, “We had to change the shape and move them [Lindley and Quinn] around. Our central midfielders couldn’t get near anybody, then Jack nor Josh were there to land on that second ball.” Coach continued on saying, “It’s amazing, because the pitch is the same size for both teams. So, when the ball lands somewhere and they get it? I’m asking questions why ours didn’t.”
Moving forward, this team enters into a very critical stretch of the season. Playing at home against Miami on Saturday, then a midweek clash at Rhode Island, followed up with a visit to Loudoun United. With the coach confirming Cam will be out for a period of time due to a calf injury, rallying his side to “cope with these moments of adversity”. Stating Paco Craig hasn’t played the last few matches due to a “slight strain” he’s carried the last few weeks.
This is an older squad overall, and now with Lindley out, and Paco’s slight strain – the injury bug couldn’t have picked a worse time to pop up.
With the result, the Eleven remain in 7th place in the Eastern conference, a point ahead of Rhode Island (with a match in hand), and just 6 points ahead of Miami in 9th. Sunday’s match could ultimately decide if Indy have a nervy last few weeks of the regular season.
My Man of the Match: Joe Hafferty
Playing the full 90 minutes and played both right and left back in the match. Joe not only was solid defensively with 6 clearances and 1 interception, he also helped create 2 chances with 1 shot on goal and 8 passes into that final third. The Lexington Loanee showed his class all night.
Next Match: USL-C vs Miami FC on September 26th at Michael A Carroll Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana at 7pm EST
