Indy Eleven Men continue winless streak in a chaotic 4-4 draw vs Hartford

In a match with 5 first half goals, and 8 overall - defense was optional when Hartford came to town. When a much needed home win was desired and needed, the Eleven drew yet again.

Let me catch my breath first.

Okay, I can start now. Last nights match in Indianapolis may have been the most goals I have witnessed live for the Eleven and I still cannot believe what I watched.

Before the match there was a moment of silence to honor the Indianapolis Colts Owner Jim Irsay’s passing and at halftime there was another moment of silence to commemorate long-time Brickyard Battalion member Chris “Funn” Munn who unexpectedly passed last weekend. The Brickyard Battalion lite up black smoke in memory. My thoughts are with the Irsay’s, the Munns, and everyone who is impacted by these tragic loses.

Leading up to match itself, a lot of pressure had been mounting on the Eleven to start turning things around in league play - only 1 win to date. Before last night, the team was on a seven match winless streak - with four draws and three losses. If you count the last two matches of last season until yesterday - Indy’s record in league play is 1-4-5 ; that doesn’t look good. So getting a fellow struggler in Hartford Athletic at home, looked rip to start to get things going. Spoiler alert - didn’t happen.

Indy started the night off with some urgency with scoring the first goal of the match in the 13th minute when a scrap in the box eventually led to Ben Ofeimu kicking the ball into the net. Things looked promising for the boys in blue. Then Hartford woke up. Scoring in the 26th minute via a penalty kick from Kyle Edwards and then again from Edwards just six minutes later in the 32nd minute - putting Hartford up 2-1 on the road.

But that’s not all Hartford would get before the half, they would get one more from Jordan Scarlett in the 42nd minute to extend the lead to 3-1. Indy’s midfield and defensive shape looked all out of whack after the initial goal and Hartford was making them pay for it. Romario Williams would help bring life back to the offense with his goal in the 45th + 2nd minute goal to narrow Hartford’s lead.

Heading into halftime it was 3-2 and was already a goal fest many didn’t quite expect from the two struggling Eastern Conference sides.

The goals wouldn’t end there. Right out of halftime Indy would find their equalizer in the 46th minute when Jack Blake’s effort found the back of the net! However, that euphoria didn’t last long. As in from the immediate kick-off Hartford would retake the lead from a beautiful curling shot from Mamadou Dieng.

In a blink of an eye, it was 4-3 and looked as it neither team could stop scoring. The remaining 45+ minutes went by with a slower pace than the frantic first half and that was evident in the lower amount of quality chances offensively for either team.

Indy looked out of energy late in the match, and the urgency just didn’t quite seem to be there to find that late equalizer. Indy made some substitutes but didn’t seem to help. Then, in the last 5+ minutes the team got that energy it needed and started pushing Hartford to the brink. The Eleven were going right at Hartford’s backline, continuing to have possession, adding more and more pressure, and was sending in cross after cross into the box.

One of those crosses would find Romario Williams’ feet and he would put it past Antony Siaha for the equalizer in the 90th + 3rd minute. You could feel the pressure lift from the stands and from the players. A loss to Hartford at home is unacceptable for this team (a draw is as well but a point is better than no points).

The match would end 4-4 with neither side really needing a win, and neither side coming away happy with just a point. Heading into the match, Indy Goalkeeper Reice Charles-Cook had only conceded one goal vs the Philadelphia Union in the US Open Cup (3 appearances in total all year). But this trend of poor defensive performances - not on the goalkeeper in my opinion - continue for a very leaky defense. Who have now given up 20 goals (most in the East) while scoring 17 goals (3rd best in the East).

Clearly something needs to be done with the backline, or Indy will continue to draw week after week. If this doesn’t turn around, the Eleven may not see playoff soccer. A shock given this team’s talent, and expectations heading into 2025.

Here is the current standings after 9 matches for Indy. They sit in 10th spot, behind Miami FC (Indy’s only league win) and just ahead of Hartford, and are currently one of 3 teams in the East with only one win.

Even though the Brickyard Battalion lite up Black Smoke in memoriam of Chris Munn, maybe it was an ode for Indy’s 2025 season so far.

Next Match: USL-Championship vs Birmingham Legion FC on June 4th at 7pm EST from Michael A. Carroll Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana