Indy Eleven Fail to Show up in 3-1 Loss vs Charleston
On Dino-Night, Indy Eleven's lofty expectations for 2025 seemed to go the way of the dinosaurs, and quickly fade away.
The mood was tense and dull (much like the weather on Saturday) heading into Indy’s big matchup vs the Charleston Battery. Yes there were Dino shaped nuggets at the BYB’s tailgate, Easter Egg hunts beforehand, and it was Dino-Night. But all that helped distract from the unease many fans have been feeling in 2025. After Saturday’s loss, the team only has 1 win in league play, and none at home (again in league play).
Indy went into 2025 looking to build off of a good 2024 season. Reaching the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup Semifinals, achieved a 4th place finish in the East; earning the team a home playoff match. So going into 2025, the goals of winning the US Open Cup, or winning the USL seemed like something that can be achieved. Then Saturday happened.
Since Manager Sean McAuley has taking charge of Indy, his record vs the best in the East isn’t good. Indy’s record vs Tampa, Charleston and Louisville City is 0-1-6. This record won’t win trophies in the USL. I had highlighted this match as the make or break it moment for Indy in achieving their USL-Championship goals. Given their poor record vs the best in the East, this match would show fans if Indy was legit or will once again fight for a playoff spot. Saturday showed us the later is more likely. There is still a lot of season left, but being at home against one of the best demands results if you want to be taking seriously.
No onto the match itself. Charleston started off fast. MD Myers scored in the 4th and 9th minutes. This quick assertion of dominance from the visitors, added to the disappointment from Indy fans. The midfield looked all over the place, and was never fully able to take control. Charleston would get their third goal in the 50th min from Arturo Rodriquez. Indy would finally show some more fight when the match was already over. Scoring in the 90th + 4th minute when Elvis Amoh scored with his shot from the box.
Indy’s USL-Championship Record (W-D-L): 1-2-2 5 pts
Here’s to hoping Cup play can help boost the confidence of a team still trying to figure things out. The team travels to USL-League One side Forward Madison next weekend in Round 1 of the Jägermeister Cup.
Next Match: USL Jäger Cup at Forward Madison on April 26th at 7pm EST from Breese Stevens Field in Madison, Wisconsin.