What is fellow USL newcomer Indy Eleven all about? I went to Soc Takes‘s Managing Editor and Indy Star correspondent Kevin Johnston for the intel on the Eleven.
For Club and Country: There were a lot of off-season changes for Indy. How is the club adapting to a new league, new venue, and a lot of new faces in the lineup? In particular, has the move to USL met expectations in terms of competition through the first month of play?
Kevin Johnston: The club has adapted quickly to all the new changes. The competition in the USL has been impressive, and if anything, I’m surprised Indy is already competing at a high level given the state of the club a few short months ago.
FCAC: Who are the stars that Nashville fans should be looking for Saturday?
KJ: Zach Steinberger, Soony Saad and Tyler Pasher are probably the three names to look out for as far as who’s capable of delivering a game-breaking play. Steinberger didn’t start last week, but I think it was just a routine maintenance thing. Saad has a knack for finding seems in behind the defense without having blazing pace. Pasher could start at left back or left mid, and will be dangerous in the attack regardless of where he starts. He has excellent pace and isn’t bashful about going at defenders.
FCAC: With just two goals through three games, the offense hasn’t hit a stride yet. Is that a matter of the style of play being defensive, the team still finding its footing, or something else?
KJ: It’s a combination of coaching and the team still meshing. Eleven head coach Martin Rennie believes in never leaving his backline too exposed and tends to start one or two CDMs every match. Home matches might also take a while to adjust to offensively, as it’s a very fast surface for soccer and a little harder to settle the ball.
FCAC: The defense, on the other hand, has been great. How will Indy adjust due to the one-game suspension of Karl Ouimette?
KJ: It’ll probably be Brad Rusin replacing Ouimette in the XI. CB Carlyle Mitchell also limped off the pitch when he was subbed out at the very end of the match last week, so if he’s unable to go that opens an even bigger can of worms.
FCAC: What are you expecting for a starting lineup?
KJ: I haven’t been out to the training grounds this week to see who’s healthy, but I’ll say a 4-4-2 from L -> R: Fon Williams; Ayoze, Rusin, Mitchell, Ring; Pasher, Watson, Matern, Steinberger; Braun, Saad.
FCAC: Any other specific predictions (including a final score)?
Club and Country 