PREVIEW: #ftlVind

Indy Eleven Gameday & Match Preview
Indy Eleven at Fort Lauderdale Strikers
Saturday, September 10, 2016 – 7:30 p.m. ET
Central Broward Stadium – Lauderhill, FL

Watch/Listen Live:

• Local TV: None
• National TV: beIN Sports en Espanol (English audio available via SAP function)
• Streaming Video: beIN Sports Connect
• Radio: None
• Streaming Audio: None

Follow Live:

• In-game updates: Follow @IndyElevenLive on Twitter, and Indy Eleven on Facebook
• Live stats: Visit the NASL.com MatchCenter for in-depth Opta statistics
• Vote for the Indy Eleven “Man of the Match” on the @IndyEleven Twitter feed immediately following the match

 

Team Records

Indy Eleven:​

• ​Fall Season: 6W-3D-4L, 21 pts, 3rd place
• Combined Season: 10W-9D-4L, 39 pts., 3rd place

Fort Lauderdale Strikers: ​

• Fall Season: 3W-4D-5L, 13 pts, 9th place
• Combined Season: 7W-7D-8L, 28 pts, 7th place

Click here for the complete NASL Fall Season standings

Media Game Notes:

• Indy Eleven game notes
• Fort Lauderdale Strikers game notes
   

Last Time Out – Indy Eleven 1 : 1 Tampa Bay Rowdies

Indy Eleven returned to Carroll Stadium on last Saturday night in a 1-1 draw with the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

As the "Boys in Blue" looked to bounce back off two losses in three games on the road, Indy looked confident. However, still fighting the injury bug, a couple of line-up adjustments resulted in defender Daniel Keller starting at centerback alongside Colin Falvey, and Duke Lacroix was slotted into the midfield in place of Dylan Mares.

As the match settled into its pace, it was the Rowdies who struck first when defender Justin Chavez got on the end of a Joe Cole free kick to knock it past Eleven 'keeper Jon Busch. It was the fourth time in five games that Indy conceded first, but they were sure to fight back quickly. Also returning to the starting line-up was forward Omar Gordon, and he made his presence known just six minutes later with a 34th minute strike that bobbled in past Rowdies 'keeper Matt Pickens to level the scoring.

Though there were a number of chances for both sides in the second half, Indy was unable to capitalize and the usual late drama at "The Mike" was not present, resulting in a fair point for both sides. The scoreline leaves Indy Eleven in 3rd place in both the Fall and Combined Season standings, chasing New York and FC Edmonton.

 

Last Time Out - Fort Lauderdale Strikers 0 : 0 New York Cosmos

The Fort Lauderdale Strikers staved off a heavy effort from the New York Cosmos last Saturday to keep a valuable point at Central Broward Stadium in a nil-nil draw. Though the home side was outshot 19:5 total and 8:1 on target, they were able to keep the attack-heavy Cosmos out of the back of the net in the end.  

For the Strikers, their best chance of the game came in the 13th minute from midfielder Ramon Nunez, and though his distance effort was well-struck it was saved by Cosmos 'keeper Jimmy Maurer. Battering away at the host's goal, New York's best chance came in the 73rd minute when midfielder Ruben Bover had a clean look on goal just a few yards away, but was unable to convert.

The point puts Fort Lauderdale in 9th place in the Fall Season, but 7th in the Combined standings.

 

Hitting the Sunshine State

Just one win in 13 games - those are the numbers Indy Eleven is staring down as they travel to Florida for the second time in the fall. After four draws in the Sunshine State in the Spring Season, Indiana's Team dropped their only fall visit 2-1 to Miami FC despite Eamon Zayed's late effort to pull one back and have been stifled away from home in recent weeks.

However, with almost a completely healthy squad, head coach Tim Hankinson believes they can turn the tide back in their favor.

"We need to compose ourselves," said the veteran coach.

"We know we haven't gotten the results we've been looking for on the road. It's time to change... We know we can."
 

Who to Watch, Indy Eleven edition: FW Justin Braun

One face Indy Eleven fans are thrilled with seeing back in action is that of forward Justin Braun. After making a cameo against the Rowdies last week at "The Mike," Braun is in position to see more minutes this week, though unsure of exactly how many.

"All I'm looking to do is add more to our attack, no matter how many minutes I get this weekend," he said.

"We aren't really worried about our goalscoring. What matters is that we pick up the three points, and we're heading down there with the right mentality and the right fitness level to do that."

Braun has been missed, but his impact on the Rowdies game was clear as he thrusted himself into the attacking end looking to create chances for his side. No matter the minute limit on the striker, he will look to do the same this weekend.

 

Who to Watch, Fort Lauderdale Strikers edition: FW Amauri

Arriving in the Fall Season, the Italian forward Amauri has been a hit - both with the fans and on the pitch - scoring three goals in five appearances including three starts.

Though fellow regular Jose Angulo is ahead of him in the scoring charts, Amauri has shown his ability to get on the end of just about anything with a clever touch and finishing capacity that rivals some of the best in the league. With Indy allowing seven goals in their last three road matches, the challenge will be keeping Fort Lauderdale off the scoresheet and keeping Amauri off the ball.
 

Match-up to Mark: DEF Daniel Keller vs. MF Ramon Nunez

Ramon Nunez was the Strikers best hope of scoring last week against the New York Cosmos, and playing directly behind forward Amauri he remains one of the best attacking threats the hosts can employ ahead of this Saturday's match.

Daniel Keller stepped into the starting line-up due to an injury to defender Greg Janicki and suspension of defender Cory Miller, but excelled in his performance and earned Man of the Match honors for his efforts. Impressing last week, the midfielder-turned-defender looks set to keep his spot in the line-up with Janicki still dealing with a foot injury. 

Alongside the captain Colin Falvey, Keller will have to handle the combination of Amauri and Nunez and keep the Strikers at bay as Indy looks for their first road win of the Fall Season.