INDY ELEVEN GAMEDAY & MATCH PREVIEW
Indy Eleven vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies
Saturday, May 30, 2015 – 7:30 p.m. ET
IUPUI's Michael A. Carroll Stadium – Indianapolis, IN

WATCH LIVE:
TV: Game restarted on MyINDY-TV 23 (to be followed by Honda Post-game Show)
In the United States: ESPN3.com streaming video (housed at IndyEleven.com) 
Internationally: Streaming video via various ESPN online platforms

LISTEN LIVE:
Spanish-language coverage on Exitos Radio 1590AM

FOLLOW ONLINE:  
In-game updates: Follow the @IndyElevenLive Twitter feed
Live stats: Visit the NASL.com MatchCenter

GAME NOTES:  
Indy Eleven Game Notes
Tampa Bay Rowdies Game Notes
 

Losing a game so late in added extra time as Indy Eleven did Wednesday night against Louisville City FC is heartbreaking for any team, but it is something the squad can’t dwell on for long as it returns to NASL Spring Season action at Carroll Stadium on Saturday versus third-place Tampa Bay Rowdies.

QUALITY OVER QUANTITY                                                                                          

In order to grind out its first win since April 18^th in San Antonio, Indy Eleven’s attack will need to make the most of its opportunities.  It’s no secret that Indy Eleven has had trouble finishing its chances this season, but it isn’t something that’s leaving the players hanging their heads. The effort is absolutely there, but the execution has been what is lacking for the “Boys in Blue.”

The scoreless streak that has extended across NASL and U.S. Open Cup play for 251 minutes has left players and coaches alike frustrated, but they do recognize some bright spots in their play.

“I think there’s only been one or two games where we didn’t create as good of opportunities as we would like,” commented Indy midfielder Dylan Mares after Friday’s practice at IUPUI’s Carroll Stadium. “I think the number of chances are there, but the quality of the chances aren’t. Ultimately that’s what determines a win or a loss.”

The chances were there indeed on Wednesday night, as Indy notched 15 shots in its 2-0 loss, seven of which were on goal.  But ultimately it comes down to quality over quantity, something Indy Eleven continues to work on.

GOALLESS STREAK

Indy Eleven’s last goal came back on June 16^th in a 3-1 loss to Minnesota United FC on an early second-half header by Sergio Pena, who since has been sidelined indefinitely with lower leg Compartment Syndrome. Consequently, this was their only goal in the last 474 minutes, a streak that expands nearly five games.

“We’ve been playing well, and to be honest the results aren’t justified with the work we’ve put in,” noted Indy Eleven Head Coach Juergen Sommer. “We deserve more than we’ve gotten and we know that. That is the underlying fact that is pushing these guys through. We have a great, deep group and we’re confident in these guys.”

ROOKIES SEE MORE MINUTES

Indy Eleven has been turning to some of the younger members of its squad as of late, and among those players is recently signed Carmel native and University of Louisville graduate Daniel Keller.  The 23-year-old Keller, who was signed by Indy less than three weeks ago on May 11^th after an extended trial period, saw his first action as a late-game substitute last Saturday in Ottawa.  But with both Pena and Ring suffering through injuries in that match, Keller was given the keys to the deep midfield role in the team’s 4-1-4-1 formation on Wednesday night, getting the start and a little trial-by-fire after playing the full 120 minutes.

“It felt good to step in and play a crucial role,” said Keller. “The most important thing though was getting the result, so I was a little disappointed with that. There are definitely a lot of learning points we can take away from that game and apply to the next one. The loss is pretty fresh in our minds so it will give us a little motivation going into this one. We really need these points so we will be pretty motivated.”

DOWN BUT NOT OUT

Though Indy currently sits (ironically) at 11^th place in the standings, the middle of the table is certainly obtainable with a win Saturday over Tampa Bay. With six points on the season, Indy Eleven sits only two points back of sixth-place FC Edmonton, who will take on Canadian rivals Ottawa on Friday evening.  The long haul of the Fall Season remains, who while Indy may look up at the rest of the league for now, three points on Saturday will go a long way towards a possible berth in The Championship at season’s end.

WHO TO WATCH, INDY ELEVEN EDITION – MID DANIEL KELLER

With the indefinite loss of midfielder Sergio Pena and questionable status of Brad Ring, the 23 year-old Keller will be thrown in the line of fire to help control the middle third of the field. In his first meaningful as a member of Indy Eleven versus Louisville on Wednesday, Keller went 95 minutes before cramping set in and he was forced to bow out of the contest. In his time with the University of Louisville, Keller mainly played defense, but the versatility he provides is just part of the reason head coach Juergen Sommer signed the rookie from Carmel a little under three weeks ago – and it comes just in time as the “Boys in Blue” suffer from injury depletion at the defensive midfield spot.

WHO TO WATCH, TAMPA BAY EDITION – MID GEORGI HRSITOV

In Tampa’s last trip to Indianapolis last July 19^th it was Hristov that delivered the dagger to the home side and disappointed fans with a goal in the 89^th minute, sending Indy Eleven to a disappointing 2-1 defeat. Though Hristov has yet to net one this year, he leads the team with three assists and is a constant attacking presence for the Rowdies.   The afore-mentioned Keller may very well be the man charged with shutting down the 30-year-old Bulgarian midfielder, who’s bagged 21 goals in a little over two seasons since joining the Rowdies in 2013.