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Indy Eleven Gameday & Match Preview

Indy Eleven at Puerto Rico FC
Saturday, July 2, 2016 – 7:30 p.m. ET
Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium - Bayamón, Puerto Rico

 

Team Records:

• Indy Eleven: 0W-0D-0L, 0 pts, T-1^st in NASL Fall Season
• Puerto Rico FC: 0W-0D-0L, 0pts, T-1^st in NASL Fall Season
• Click here for the complete NASL Fall Season standings

Watch Live:

• Local: WISH-TV
• National: None
• Online: ESPN3.com

Follow Live:

• In-game updates: Follow @IndyElevenLive on Twitter, and Indy Eleven on Facebook
• Vote for the Indy Eleven “Man of the Match” on the @IndyEleven Twitter feed immediately following the match

 

Last Time Out – Indy Eleven 1 : 0 C.F. Pachuca

In Indy Eleven’s second-ever international friendly, the Boys in Blue put away Liga MX Clausura 2016 champions C.F. Pachuca 1 : 0 at Carroll Stadium thanks to a 7^th minute finish from Eamon Zayed.

Though the Mexican league champions tumbled more than a efforts towards Eleven 'keeper Keith Cardona, Indiana's Team was able to hold their opposition scoreless to earn a clean sheet and win on a hot and heavy Sunday afternoon. Facing a loaded C.F. Pachuca roster that rotated in its entirety after 45 minutes, the Eleven battled to create chances on Alfonso Blanco's net. A quick start, it was in the 7th minute that a defensive error allowed the forward Zayed to slip past the defense and slot home for the only goal of the match. What followed was a series of Pachuca attacks that were repelled either by Cardona or blocked by a member of the defense before reaching goal, and halftime (plus a generous water break) saw the two sides separated.

In Gerardo Torrado's Indy Eleven debut, the Mexico legend featured until the hour mark and helped to control the midfield while facing some familiar faces on the opposing side and impressing head coach Tim Hankinson.

"As he gets to know his teammates, their strengths and the qualities in their game, he'll know how to gel even more. We're very excited to have him," said Hankinson.

The second half was full of more chances for the two teams, and Pachuca came close to a last-gasp equalizer when forward Mateus Goncalves' free kick richocheted off the wall into the path of Jose Ramirez, only for the latter to just miss a touch on goal. The win sees Indy Eleven extend their unbeaten streak to 13 games heading into the fall season. 

 

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Still Unbeaten

After knocking off C.F. Pachuca at “The Mike,” Indy Eleven extend their unbeaten run to 13 games total (10 Spring Season, 2 U.S. Open Cup, 1 int’l friendly) since the season began April 2 at Tampa Bay Rowdies.

It’s been a remarkable run for the Eleven, who took just three years to go from bottom of the spring standings to the very top. When the season kicked off just three short months ago, forward Eamon Zayed stated his intent and the intent of Coach Hankinson’s squad – to win the Spring Season. Not one had an unbeaten run in mind, nor did they think the stretch would be this lengthy – after all, only one other squad had won the spring title going unbeaten, and it was the New York Cosmos.

Ironically enough, it was a victory over the New York Cosmos in the spring home opener that bolstered team confidence, and the rest is history. Important now moving into the fall slate is the idea that the record is fresh. Still unbeaten? Sure, but now every column sees a reset to zero.

 

Fall Season Means New Beginnings

Indy Eleven are in an advantageous position heading down to expansion side Puerto Rico FC and Juan Ramón Loubriel Stadium. While the pressure is still on the spring champions to get a result and pick up every point possible, there will be plenty of eyes on the NASL’s newest side as they look to spoil a party of sorts.

For Coach Hankinson, this is a new beginning – a fresh start – and a chance for his team to prove they have the ability to endure the long season ahead. Heated environments haven’t done much for the Boys in Blue as four trips to Florida (TBR, MIA, JAX, & FTL) resulted in four draws in the spring, but the road to the playoffs in November continues nonetheless.
 

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Who to Watch, Indy Eleven edition: DEF Cory Miller

Appearing in just two matches with one start, Cory Miller is set to feature in the starting eleven alongside Greg Janicki as Colin Falvey has been ruled out for the start of the fall.

Miller, who came on for Janicki in the 4-2 win over Minnesota United, started both Jacksonville Armada FC the next week and in the midweek cup tie against USL side Louisville City FC – conceding just the one goal in over 180 minutes of action. Now his task will be to stop a Puerto Rico attack hungry to get going in their NASL debut. Alongside the veteran Janicki after a shutout against Liga MX champs C.F. Pachuca, the ball will have to keep rolling (away from Jon Busch’s goal) for Indy to succeed away from home.

 

Who to Watch, Puerto Rico FC edition: DEF Cristiano Dias

Where one captain is absent in Colin Falvey, another is making his first start in a PRFC alongside ten others – Puerto Rico captain Cristiano Dias. Helping Minnesota United FC to the NASL Championship in 2011 and featuring nearly 100 times for the Loons, the Brazilian brings nearly ten years of experience in the NASL and its predecessor leagues to Puerto Rico.

At 30 years old, Dias will be man-marking a tandem of Justin Braun and Eamon Zayed when Indiana’s Team makes the trip south, and the 6’2 185 lb. centerback will have his hands full between the physicality of Zayed and the speed and intelligence of Justin Braun.

 

Match-up to Mark: FW Eamon Zayed vs. GK David Meves

Eamon Zayed continues his run at the top of NASL scoring charts on Saturday when he faces PRFC ‘keeper David Meves and company, looking to extend his scoring streak after a marvelous hat-trick against Carolina Railhawks FC at the end of the spring. Zayed, who was named the NASL Player of the Month for June, is adamant that this is just the beginning for him and the Eleven.

“This was Indy Eleven’s month, but it’s only the beginning. The real challenge starts now if we want to bring home the NASL Championship,” said the Irish forward.

Likely minding the net on Saturday is goalkeeper David Meves. The 25-year-old Meves spent the last two seasons with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers making five appearances. Though his playing count is low, Meves had earned the starting job for the Strikers but was unfortunate to suffer a broken jaw which put him out for the remainder of the year. While Saturday night is a new battle for Indy Eleven, it’s also new for Meves and the whole of Puerto Rico FC with extra incentive to start their club’s record off right.