Indy Eleven owner Ersal Ozdemir emotionally addressed team Tuesday
Ersal Ozdemir (right) met with USSF president Sunil Gulati (left) to submit Indy’s MLS bid in January. Photo credit: Indy Eleven
INDIANAPOLIS — Rarely the type to meddle in on-field affairs, Indy Eleven owner Ersal Ozdemir decided to step out of his comfort zone to try something he doesn’t typically do. His team needed it.
With Indy reeling at the bottom of the NASL fall table, Ozdemir visited the training grounds Tuesday for a heart-to-heart talk directly to his players.
“Yesterday in practice, our owner, Ersal, came to talk to the team — which he never does, unless it’s a celebration, dinner or something of that nature,” said Eleven head coach Tim Hankinson following Wednesday’s home win over North Carolina FC. “He might say a few words, but generally he doesn’t frequently talk to the team. And he talked to the team about how last year he felt some amazing moments.
“He knows he’s going to lose a lot of money each year supporting this club. And last year he felt it was so worth it because of the moments that we shared, particularly moments at the end of games when we would never put our head down and continue to work and still believe that we could win things at the end. He said to the team that he hadn’t felt that way this year, that he hadn’t seen that commitment and belief within the team.
“Really, the way the game was played tonight, despite getting to play a man up, getting that goal at the very end in the fashion that we did really is a tribute to Ersal’s words and kind of a recommitment of this team for the remaining 10 games — now 9 — and let’s see if we can build on this.”
Eleven forward Eamon Zayed similarly summarized Ozdemir’s speech.
“It was an emotional few days for the whole group,” said Zayed, whose stoppage-time header Wednesday lifted Indy to a 1-nil victory. “Yesterday, Ersal, the owner, had a talk with us and he briefly said, ‘We have 10 games to go. Let’s go on a run. Let’s go on a streak.’
“He believes in us. He said, ‘Let’s keep fighting until the end. Win lose or draw, as long as you keep fighting until the end, then I won’t have anything to complain about.’ I think that’s what we’ve done tonight.”
Beyond the team’s struggles on the pitch, the tragic death of supporter Drew Schwier and uncertainty of the NASL’s future have further confounded Indy’s melancholy. Schwier’s family was invited onto the field at Carroll Stadium on Wednesday for a touching tribute.
I’d just like to express how proud I am of the @IndyEleven organization for tonight. An honor, a win, and a fitting tribute. #IndyForever pic.twitter.com/KUrw5HNaeW
— Scott Stewart (@ScottStewartXI) September 14, 2017
Indy 11 remembers fan Drew Schwier at tonight’s match. Drew was killed outside his Eastside home last week. pic.twitter.com/6xWUEjt6gk
— Emily Longnecker (@EmilyWTHR) September 13, 2017
“To start the game tonight with Drew’s family coming onto the pitch, that was very emotional,” Zayed said. “I almost had a tear in my eye. That was very sad, so it was great to get the win for his family.”
All things considered, Ozdemir clearly felt the players could benefit from hearing an uplifting voice — some honest, heartfelt words of encouragement — from the top. On one special night for a club and family, they did.
Indy (6W-9D-8L, 27 points) will face FC Edmonton (6W-4D-13L, 22 points) on the road Sunday at 4 p.m.
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Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KJboxing.
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