USL-Championship: Miami Grab 3 Vital Points in Indy, Winning 2-0

Fighting for their playoff hopes, Miami FC grabbed all 3 points against a depleted Indy Eleven side. Due to injuries, Indy was only able to field 15 players on Saturday in this crucial matchup.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - You’ve heard of injury problems, but then there is what happened to Indy on Saturday. Starting center back Anthony Herbert and midfielder Cam Lindley were already out due to injuries. On top of these known injuries, Mohamed Omar was also out due to international duty with Somalia.

A depleted side was already expected coming into this pivotal match. Then about 60 minutes prior to kickoff, during warmups, we get notified that the team’s leading scorer in Bruno Rendon is now a scratch from the 18 and won’t be playing that night. Dylan Sing replaced the Cuban forward up top, due to his playing relationship with Charlie Sharp who was set to start alongside Rendon.

Then 20 minutes later, the press box got another notification. This time Charlie Sharp is being dropped from the 18 due to an injury picked up during warm-ups. Thrusting Malik Henry-Scott into the starting lineup.

In the span of about 30 minutes, Indy went from missing 3 players - to missing 5 and now have a bench of 3 field players and backup goalkeeper Charles-Cook. The now starting center back (Paco Craig) had been dealing with an injury the past few weeks - a reason he hasn’t played in the last week or so. Let’s just say, this isn’t ideal for a matchup that could determine Indy’s season.

I think we have well established - Saturday wasn’t normal for Indy. Quite extenuating circumstances overlooked the results on the pitch. However, Miami FC didn’t care about that. They needed the 3 points to keep their postseason hopes alive - those first 20’, they certainly played like it as Indy scrambled to adjust to the swath of pre-match changes.

Aodhan Quinn fouled Miami’s Tunbridge, resulting in a yellow card and a great opportunity for the visitors. The 32-year-old Rodrigo Da Costa stepped up, and perfectly placed the ball into the upper 90. Nothing Eric Dick could do about that.

Miami would then find their 2nd just before the half, as Tunbridge skated and glided past the entire Indy defense, before slotting it past Dick in goal. Not only was this team down on men, they are now down 2-0.

Indy would make some changes, but it was too little too late. Miami outshot Indy 6 (4) - 3 (0) in the 1st half, and that is all they needed. The 2nd 45 minutes was just a game of keep away for Miami, as Indy tried to get anything going.

With the result here, and Charleston beating Rhode Island 2-0, Indy remains in 7th place. Just 3 points now ahead of Miami and a single point above Rhode Island in 8th. Rhode Island have a match in hand still to be played.

Commenting about the support of the fans and Brickyard Battalion, “I’ve said this before, but our supporters are fantastic. Best I’ve ever played in front of. Because, they recognize the effort…if you got some dudes putting in effort, you can’t criticize that”

It’s now or never for this Indy side. As McAuley put it last week, “it’s time to face some adversity”. With two more vital matches next week, the playoff picture will become increasingly clear the next time Indy play at home on October 10th. First with a road trip out to Rhode Island, then at playoff longshot Loudoun United.

Going forward, McAuley put it out there quite simply “we have to do what we did in the 2nd half - roll up our sleeves and give maximum effort”.

My Man of the Match: It was a group effort mixed with unparalleled circumstances. No one player stood out for Indy.

Next Match: USL-C at Rhode Island FC on September 30th at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island FC 7:30pm EST

written by Brett Mullenix
photos by Kevin Cruz