Indy Eleven: May Update
Jager Cup and US Open Cup Play begins, Championship campaign still trying to find it's rhythm and USL-L2/USL-W prepare for 2025 seasons.
Here is the May Update on Indy Eleven and Indiana Soccer.
Indy Eleven Men’s Results:
USL-C: April 5th vs North Carolina FC: 2-2 Draw
USL-C: April 12th at Hartford Athletic: POSTPONED, Wednesday Sept 3rd at 7:30pm
US Open Cup: April 16th vs Miami FC: 1-0 Win AET
USL-C: April 19th vs Charleston Battery: 3-1 Loss
Jager Cup: April 26th at Forward Madison: 4-0 Win
April Record: 2-1-2
US Open Cup: Round of 32
USL Jager Cup: 1-0-0, 3 points
USL Championship Record (W-D-L): 1-2-2, 5 points
Indy Eleven have been inconsistent in Championship play, and had a bad performance vs Charleston and a disappointing draw at home vs North Carolina FC. Finding a way to win in the Open Cup was a massive result for the team, and setting up a date at MLS’ Philadelphia Union in the next round. Grinding their way to a 4-0 win at Madison starts their USL Cup campaign off strong, and will look to build off of this performance.
Like last year, hopefully either or both cup competitions can light a spark in this team and push them to a top 4 finish again. The opportunities to make a deep cup run seem possible if their Championship campaign takes longer then expected to get going.
Indy Eleven Men’s May Matches:
USL-C: May 3rd vs Detroit City
US Open Cup: May 7th at Philadelphia Union
USL-C: May 10th at Sacramento Republic
USL-C: May 16th at El Paso Locomotive
Jager Cup: May 24th at One Knoxville
USL-C: May 28th vs Hartford Athletic
Indy Eleven Release Back in Black Third Kit
On April 14th, the Indy Eleven announced the release of their new Back in Black third kit for 2025. Taking inspiration from the prior Racing 500 kits, the team looks at the famous Indianapolis 500 for their third kits. The team has not released a third kit since (worn during the match and not warm-up) 2020’s Racing Indy kit.
Overall, I enjoy the smoke design with the center line being the famed checker pattern (2025 is the year of checkers for Indy). The mono-color crest is a nice touch to an all back-white kit. I however, wanted to see a little more red/blue splashed in. I am looking at the 2020 Racing Indy kit and the new Brickyard Battalion’s Hometown Hero Kit for their use of color:
I am happy to have a third kit back in the rotation, and enjoy the overall design. 3rd kits are supposed to be special, and a nod to the Indy 500 will always be a fan favorite. Just want their to be a little more color, but I cannot complain too much.
These new kits are $95 in the link below:
Indy Eleven Women’s May Matches:
Friendly May 11th at Minnesota Aurora
USL-W: May 16th vs Lexington SC
USL-W: May 21st at Dayton Dutch Lions
USL-W: May 27th at Racing Louisville FC
USL-W: May 31st vs Kings Hammer FC
Overall Record:
USL L2 May Matches:
Fort Wayne FC (Valley Division)
USL-L2: May 11th vs Sueno FC
USL-L2: May 28th vs King’s Hammer FC
Overall Record: 0-0-0
Northern Indiana FC (Great Lakes Division)
Major correction for Northern Indiana FC - this is NOT a rebrand of Michiana FC - formerly South Bend Lions - as noted in the April update. Michiana FC folded after the 2024 USL-L2 season. This team was formed in 2024 and competed in the Great Lakes West division of the Midwest Premier League - which Northern Indiana won. They now stand as the only soccer team in South Bend. Apologies on the mistake.
USL-L2: May 21st at Midwest United
USL-L2: May 24th vs Lansing City
USL-L2: May 31st at Oakland County FC
Overall Record: 0-0-0
Fort Wayne and Northern Indiana Release 2025 Kits
Fort Wayne released their 2025 home kit. This kit has a little bit of an AFC Richmond kit (from Ted Lasso) to it. Really happy to see Fort Wayne release some more creative kits with Puma:
You can get the 2025 Home Kit for $65 here.
Northern Indiana also released their home kit for 2025. This is a simple red template kit from Adidias. However, this is something a little unique about how one can acquire this kit. This kit is only available for “Travelers Club Members Only” - aka Season Ticket Holders. In an interesting move for the L2 side, this is not something I’ve seen before. I’ve seen member only kits before (Lionsbridge) as their ticket into matches, but never member only kits.
If you want to see these kits yourself (or maybe get a season ticket yourself), check out the link here.
Indiana University Announces Match vs Clemson Soccer
Indiana University Men’s Soccer announced that on August 21st, they will be taking on the ACC’s Clemson at Bill Armstrong Stadium in Bloomington. In a matchup of two national powerhouses, this looks to be a great matchup. Indiana is looking for it’s 9th national championship in 2025, while Clemson looks for it’s 3rd.
Once again, shoutout to Forward Madison’s The Flock for welcoming the Brickyard Battalion to their USL Cup match on April 26th! Great time for everyone who travelled up to Madison. This represents the best of soccer, bringing two separate communities together over sport.
That’s it for May’s Update, please tune back in for June’s. Thanks!
1: Yes! Indy was announced to make the move up to the Super League once Eleven Park was completed. Now that Eleven Park isn't happening, timeline is unknown for their move to professional status. No new information regarding the stadium situation (nor anything on the MLS effort).
2. Yes and yes! I saw it recently on my drive up to Fort Wayne to see my in-laws.
3. If I had to guess, it was bc the team found it more lucrative to seek warm-up kits (the corn kit, spiderman, cow kit, etc). Given the more matches (USL Cup + USOC), expanding what they wear was a necessity. I always like color, so call it a preference :)
Thanks for this great content, Brett! Three questions:
- Indy11 womens: does Indy11 have plans to eventually elevate their USL-W team to the USL SuperLeague? Or that is awaiting the stadium situation? Any updates on Indy11's own stadium (or the unsavory MLS solicitation by the mayor)?
- Fort Wayne FC: is this the club that will imminently be going to USL1, and who is building their own stadium?
- Jersey: Why didn't Indy11 release third kits for the past 4 years (until now)? You would think that's hundreds of thousands of potential jersey sales lost?? Regarding more color --in a hyperpolarized world, color may be too risky --just sayin'?