PREVIEW:

Indy Eleven Gameday & Match Preview
Indy Eleven at FC Edmonton - #FCEvIND
Saturday, May 27, 2017 – 9:00 P.M. EST
Clarke Stadium – Edmonton, Alberta Canada

Watch/Listen Live:​​

• Streaming Video: ESPN3

Follow Live:

• In-game updates: Follow @IndyElevenLive on Twitter
• Official stats: NASL Opta MatchCenter 

Match notes:
Indy Eleven notes
FC Edmonton notes

SEARCHING FOR THE FIRST THREE POINTS

The “fight for three” resumes this Saturday when “Indiana’s Team” travels to FC Edmonton for the first time in 2017. The Eddies visited Indy’s home at the beginning of May when both teams left the pitch with a draw on their records - Eleven’s 6^th consecutive draw and Edmonton’s first. Both teams currently sit on the lower rungs of the table, each one hoping to find three points to revitalize their Spring season.

The “Boys in Blue” felt the sting of defeat once more after back-to-back losses to current table leaders Miami FC left Indy emptyhanded.  Indy currently holds the 2017 undefeated streak after “Indiana’s Team” held six consecutive draws before falling to Miami. Moving forward, Indy will look to replicate last season’s Championship 1-0 semi-final win against Edmonton in hopes to add the first “W” to the team’s record sheet.

FC Edmonton moved up to 7^th place on the combined table after a draw against Indy saw the Canadian side overtake Puerto Rico FC by one point. However, Edmonton is coming off a bye week after a disappointing five-match run over a two week period. The lone Canadian side collected a single point in three NASL matches and suffered two losses to USL rivals Ottawa Fury FC in the Canadian Cup Championship since late April.

Undeterred by recent results, Indy Eleven head coach Tim Hankinson focuses on the challenges of the upcoming match. 

“Any added [rest] days that they may have over us I don’t think is going to make a difference in how we run the game,” stated Hankinson. “They’re a very physical team. They play you tight, they’re very hard in the tackle. So, we’ve got to be ready for them. We’ve got to be ready to equally engage that.”

WHO TO WATCH INDY ELEVEN EDITION: MF BRAD RING

In Indy’s last confrontation with Edmonton, midfielder Brad Ring ended his night early after a red card saw him off the pitch. The Indy original’s fighting spirit got the best of him, causing the midfielder to collect two yellow cards throughout the evening. Before the MLS veteran’s exit, Ring proved to be a thorn in the visitor’s sides after he won two-thirds of his tackles, nearly half of his duels and nearly headed the ball in the back of the net to give Indy an early lead. Since the start of the season, the Indiana University alum has completed three-fourths of his passes, won over half of his duels, cleared eight balls and intercepted another six from opposing players. 

WHO TO WATCH FC EDMONTON EDITION: FW JAKE KEEGAN

Jake Keegan enters his second season with FC Edmonton after his first season saw the young player tally five goals. The Irish National has yet to score in 2017 but has contributed several key performances in place of goals. Thus far, the former Galway United (LIPD) product has completed 80-percent of his passes, won every of his tackles and won just under half of his duels. Since joining Edmonton at the beginning of 2016, Keegan has played a total of 307 against Indy Eleven in all competitions and scored only one goal in that time. 

MATCH-UP TO MARK: MF SINISA UBIPARIPOVIC VS. DF ABDOULAYE DIAKITE

Heads will butt in Edmonton’s backline as Indy Eleven midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic aims to take down Edmonton star centre-back Abdoulaye Diakite.

Ubiparipovic has become infamous among Edmonton players and fans after his lone goal against the Eddies in the 2016 NASL Championship semi-finals saw the Circle City club advance to the finals. In 2016, Ubiparpovic made a total of 17 appearances in all competitions, playing a total of 1,036 minutes and scoring just one goal while assisting On four others. Prior to Indy, Ubiparipovic was an integral player in Ottawa Fury FC’s Championship runner-up squad, Minnesota United FC’s lineup and MLS’s Montreal Impact team. Ubiparipovic’s play style adds a level of unpredictability to Indy’s attack, making him a dangerous element in familiar territory.

Joining Edmonton for his second campaign, Senegalese talent Diakite provides a versatile component that makes him a player to watch out for. Diakite’s breakout season last year saw the young centre-back collect the NASL Young Player of the Year for his critical role in Edmonton’s backline. Moreover, Diakite’s all-star performance saw Edmonton’s defense concede 21 goals out of 32 total matches, setting an NASL record. Outside of defending, the NASL Best XI select had also tallied three goals, one of which in last Fall’s 2-1 defeat at Edmonton. Showcasing both attacking and defending abilities, Diakite provides the same element of unpredictability for Edmonton that Ubiparipovic aims to provide for Indy.