Kick is slated for Saturday at 4 p.m. ET/3 p.m. CT on ESPN+
by elevencomms
#MEMvIND Preview
Memphis 901 FC vs Indy Eleven
Saturday, March 16, 2024 – 4 p.m. ET/3 p.m. CT
AutoZone Park – Memphis, Tenn.
2024 USL Championship Records
Memphis 901 FC: 1-0-0 (1), 3 pts; 1st Western Conference
Indy Eleven: 0-1-0 (-1), 0 pts; 11th Eastern Conference
Community Health Network Sports Medicine Indy Eleven Injury Report
OUT: A. Quinn (knee)
QUESTIONABLE: TBD
SETTING THE SCENE
The Boys in Blue return to action Saturday in a road contest at Western Conference foe Memphis 901 FC. This will be the first non-conference match-up for the sides since the 2020 season as Memphis shifted conferences for the 2024 season.
Indy is coming off a season-opening 2-1 loss at Oakland Roots SC, while Memphis won its first of 2024, 2-1, over Las Vegas Lights FC.
SERIES VS. MEMPHIS
Saturday marks the 12th overall meeting between the sides in USL Championship action, with Memphis holding the 5-3-3 all-time advantage. The clubs spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons as USLC Eastern Conference foes and were both in the Eastern Conference’s Central Division in 2021.
Indy Trails 3-5-3 | GF 15, GA 14
Recent Meetings
Aug. 23, 2023 | D 0-0 | Away
Aug. 5, 2023 | L 2-1 | Home
July 23, 2022 | D 1-1 | Home
May 14, 2022 | L 2-1 | Away
TEAM OF THE WEEK X2
Indy Eleven placed two players on the USL Championship Team of the Week for their efforts in the season opener at Oakland Roots SC. Jack Blake and Younes Boudadi cracked the first XI of the season, making the Boys in Blue the only squad with two players on the list.
Indy Eleven’s preseason goal leader Blake continued the scoring in match one of the regular season, grabbing the initial equalizer in the 43rd minute of action. In 90 minutes of action, Blake led the Indy attack with a match-high six total shots, including a pair on frame. Defensively, Blake won a team-high 11 of 16 duels contested and notched 12 recoveries.
Boudadi, who assisted on Blake’s goal, led or shared the team lead in interceptions (3) and tackles won (2) in 75 total minutes. Boudadi completed 81% (34/42) of his passes, created four chances and won six duels.
THE [NEW] GAFFER
2024 is Indy’s first season under head coach Sean McAuley, who previously served as interim head coach/assistant at MLS-side Minnesota United FC. McAuley helped Minnesota to playoff appearances in each of his first three seasons, including a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2020. In 2015, he hoisted the MLS Cup with Portland Timbers. McAuley opened his playing career with Manchester United and played for Portland Timbers and the U-21 Scottish National Team, among others
LAST TIME OUT
Indy Eleven fell, 2-1, to USL Championship Western Conference opponent Oakland Roots SC to open the season on the road.
Oakland got on the board first in the match as Jeciel Cedeno found the back of the net in just the third minute of action for the early lead. The remainder of the first half saw offensive dominance by Indy Eleven with a 13-2 edge in shots, including 4-1 in shots on target, and the equalizer from Indy’s preseason goal leader Jack Blake in the 43rd minute, by way of a cross in from Younes Boudadi.
Oakland scored early again in the second frame as Bryan Tamacas found himself alone inside the 18 with an opportunity in front of goal in what would be the match winner.
The Boys in Blue registered 19 shots in the match with Blake tallying a match-high six, and Augi Williams adding four.
TOP-10 TEAMMATES
Sebastian Guenzatti (7th, 70) and Augi Williams (T9th, 66) serve as the only pair of active teammates in the USL Championship’s top 10 for all-time regular season goals.
A FAMILIAR FOE
Two Boys in Blue will see a familiar side when Indy travels to Memphis Saturday. Elliot Collier (2019) and Cam Lindley (2019) were former teammates at Memphis while both were on loan with the club.
ROAD WARRIORS
The Eleven finished the 2023 regular season 8-5-4 on the road, giving them the most regular season wins away from home in the club’s USLC history (previously 6 in 2019). Indy outscored its opponents 27-21 on the road with eight multi-goal performances and four of 3+ (3 at ELP, PIT, SA; 4 at CHS).
ALL-LEAGUE TALENT
This season’s squad features 2023 All-USL Championship selections DF Adrian Diz Pe and MF Cam Lindley.
Diz Pe earned four team of the week selections during the 2023 playing in 31 total matches, making 29 starts, finishing in in the league’s top 15 in four statistical categories including clearances, aerial duels won, duels won and interceptions. His three goals tied for the sixth most by a defender in the league.
The accolade was the second consecutive for Lindley, who started all 34 matches played in 2023 and led Indy in assists, passes and chances created, with six of his last eight assists coming in the final six regular season matches.
Originally posted on indyeleven.com