Indy Eleven Frustratingly Draw North Carolina 2-2
The Monsoon at the Mike produced a slippery affair in Indianapolis. One that ended in a frustrating draw for the home side, as they seek their first home win of 2025.
It had been raining all week leading up to this match. The bravest of supporters grabbed their ponchos, swimming goggles, and floaties as they cheered for the home side. This was not a great day for soccer for fans, but the product on the field ended up being entertaining, fast and a little chaotic. Ripe for Indy to grab their first home win of 2025 season.
Ultimately this wasn’t to happen and Indy are still looking for their first home win. For 50 minutes though, this all seemed like a certain thing. Indy grabbed their first goal off an own goal off a corner in the 27th minute from Sommersall. Indy would find it’s second in the 49th minute when Kizza scored his first goal with Indy, putting the home side up 2-0. If you’ve been around soccer long enough, we all know a 2-0 lead is the most dangerous lead and that was proving correct once again.
North Carolina almost immediately responded in the 52nd minute with Evan Conway’s effort. From there, Indy looked to take control of the match while still trying to create their chances. However, the team took it’s foot too far off the pedal and kept North Carolina in the match. Then in the 90th + 3rd minute, North Carolina found their equalizer. Connor Donovan would head home the in-swinging cross from the free kick (Mikey Maldonado with the assist).
Indy Manager Sean McAuley was less than thrilled with his team’s late match performance. Especially as the team started to be more possession based and not as direct as McAuley believes is this team’s strength. McAuley went on to say “If this club wants to win things, then we have to get players that can see the game out.”, later on he said, “Accepting people who can just come and pick up a salary and then walk away with a nice paycheck”. Potentially highlighting some tension between McAuley and the FO and the new players brought in this off season.
The hopes are and were high for Indy heading into the season with their lofty expectations. After 5 points in 4 matches, Sean will be looking back at the drawing board to see what his staff can do to get the most out of this talented squad. McAuley ended the interview with thanking the supporters who braved the harsh weather and cheered for the full 90 minutes.
Here is the Manager’s full post-match reaction:
Indy will be looking to get their 2nd win when they travel to pointless Hartford Athletic. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a new lineup next weekend.
Indy’s USL-Championship Record (W-D-L): 1-2-1 5 pts
Next Match: USL Championship at Hartford Athletic (0 pts) on April 12th at 12pm EST from Trinity Health Stadium in Hartford, Connecticut.