USL-Championship: Indy dominate Brooklyn FC winning 4-0

It was Counter Attack FC from the Boys in Blue on Tuesday Night, running circles all-around the Brooklyn defense. Barring a late red card from Charlie Sharp, this was a perfect night for Indy.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Tuesday’s match was always going to be a little different. Firstly, this match was supposed to be played back in June before getting rained out. Secondly, it was a Tuesday night match at home - that never happens. Finally, it was mid-70’s all weekend, then on Tuesday it was 90’s and the real feel was over 100.

So if you would have expected both teams to start off slow to really get acclimated to the weird timing + weather…you would be wrong. Both teams came out fast, and neither really got a chance to take control. That was the case, until Indy scored their opening goal just 18 minutes in.

Bruno was running circles all over Brooklyn’s defense, and Kizza was holding-up the ball fantastically. It was only a matter of time before they were able to connect with either Blake or O’Brien on their runs into the box. O’Brien was able to give Rendon a nice running ball on the right-hand side, giving the Cuban plenty of space to find an open Blake just as he was making a run into the box. The 32-year old one times it past Brooklyn's Burns from just outside the box, putting Indy up 1-0.

From here, Brooklyn looked well out of place. Bruno continued to run rampant and wanted in on the goal-scoring fun. Getting his chance in the 33’. Instead of Blake making the run into the middle of the box, it was Bruno who was able to connect with O’Brien yet again. With half a yard of space near the penalty spot, Bruno was able to calmly slot it into the opposite corner, further pushing the lead to 2-0.

“Bruno was phenomenal tonight. He is such a presence up there. He offers so much threat behind [with his speed]. He’s so enjoyable to play with. It was fun linking up with him tonight” - Jack Blake on Bruno Rendon

Indy wasn’t quite done. Lindley’s clearance on a Brooklyn cross near goal, lands at Bruno’s feet who already is near full speed sprinting past the visitor’s counter-press. All alone on the counter, the forward pulled in both Brooklyn defenders and goalkeeper. As no one really made the trek back, Bruno was able to find Jack Blake who also made a 50+ yard sprint completely wide open. Who once again had his scoring boots and rocketed the ball to the opposite side scoring his 2nd of the night after 40 minutes.

“We were having a clinic out there today, and I just came out and was like, ‘yeah, I gotta find him [Jack]’. To be honest, I didn’t even know he was there” - Bruno Rendon on his pass to Blake to go up 3-0.

At the half, Indy was up 3-0 and looked to be on the verge of breaking their all-time scoring record for a match (5).

To Brooklyn’s defense, they did play on Saturday and had to travel. While Indy played on Friday night at New Mexico, but did not have to travel. By halftime, you could already see tired legs and mentality from Brooklyn.

For Indy, that meant after 3 halftime subs from Brooklyn, they still weren’t mentally in this game. So, Kizza took advantage and got in on the scoring party. Another clearance ball from Indy’s defense was held up by Kizza who was able to find Bruno, who connected with Blake. Blake was able to run at the defense in space - pulling the attention of the fragile defense, leaving Kizza wide open on a far post run. The midfielder found Kizza open, who could not miss the tap in goal. Ending any hope of a potential comeback and going up 4-0 in the 48’.

To say Indy’s counter attacking was efficient on Tuesday, and that assessment would be an understatement. This team was simply lethal all night. They did not break their all-time record, but they did score the most goals all season.

“Both are in great form [Rendon and Blake]. Obviously we know what to do when you’ve got the strength of the players you have in order to play to their strengths…I generally think that you have to be adaptable to most things…but when you got players like Bruno and Jack, who gets up there, makes light runs into the box, you’ve got to play to that strength.” - Coach McAuley

The Boys in Blue had the same number of shots as Brooklyn (11), but Indy had more shots on target (5 to 1) and only 43% of the ball. This is exactly the type of performance McAuley was expecting from the team when they traveled to Brooklyn back in March.

“In the first game [at Brooklyn], I thought we had enough to win it…We didn’t win the first one, and I’ll put that down to the time of the season [that we played them]. There’s a little bit of understanding that these games are meaning something to them [the players] because of the playoffs.” - Coach McAuley

Ever since the Okello → Hafferty, Henry-Scott transaction with Lexington, this team seems to have turned a corner. Beating Louisville City earlier last month, getting a massive draw at New Mexico on Friday after going down 2-0, and now this impressive display dominating Brooklyn.

Giving the ability of both Hafferty and Mitrano as full-backs pushing the attack, Kizza and Rendon can stay centrally for their line-pushing runs. Blake and O’Brien now have more freedom to find space. Lindley and Quinn are playing a double-pivot role that is both defensive and deep-lying playmaker roles. All of this combined with the switch to a 4-4-2, has this team playing very dangerously and just in time in their efforts to secure a playoff spot.

“Because we are not a consistent playoff team and we need to be one…getting the first thing [consistent playoff qualification], then we’ve got to win a playoff game. Building up the club. That is what the team want to do here.” - Coach McAuley

My Man of the Match: Jack Blake

Scored 2 goals, and one that included a 50+ yard run into the middle, providing Bruno with an outlet pass. The 32-year-old continued his hot form and was dangerous all match when linking up with Rendon.

Next Match: USL-C vs Oakland Roots on September 20th at Michael A Carroll Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana at 5pm EST

written by Brett Mullenix
photos by Kevin Cruz