Indy 1 – 2 FC Cincy: talking points
Indy XI hosted early Eastern conference title contenders, FC Cincinnati at Grand Park yesterday. It was Indy’s first pre-season game of the season and the two teams played out 3×30 minute periods. While FC Cincy was largely at full-strength, Indy XI was missing a number of players who had not arrived to training yet.
Takeaways:
1. Indy XI played a flat 4-4-2 for most of the game. The team started with Juan Guerra and Brad Ring as CMs, and Zach Steinberger and Ben Speas on the wing. Ex-NY Cosmos striker Eugene Starikov had a strong game as the main striker up top, while “trialist” David Goldsmith played as support striker. The fact that Goldsmith – who showed determination and moments of individual skill – has not been offered a contract is one of the many puzzling decisions made by the new coaching staff. Goldsmith* had the best opportunity of the first period, when his header resulted in a good save by the FCC keeper.
Starikov and Guerra were the pick of the players in yesterday’s scrimmage. Guerra’s distribution was excellent, and with Brad Ring as a ball-winning midfielder beside him, together they produced turnovers and counterattacking opportunities in midfield for Indy XI. Guerra also managed to go an entire 45’ without diving once. So, that’s progress.
Head coach Martin Rennie imparts some tactical instruction during a break between periods.
2. We played on the counter. It’s really hard to extrapolate from a single preseason game. Additionally, FC Cincinnati are a strong team designed to retain possession (as a sidenote: This is a complete 180 degree tactical turn from Koch’s team last year). And therefore, playing on the counter, may yet have been a natural consequence of superior opposition combined with lack of match fitness.
However, it is important to note, that for the first 45’, Indy created excellent chances on the counter. In particular, Steinberger’s movement created space and opportunities for others. The Butler University graduate excelled in the support striker role during the early stages of the 2017 NASL season for Jacksonville Armada. His late runs into the box often go unmarked and that is a tactical asset Rennie will undoubtedly look to unleash. Whether Steinberger is consistently able to do that in a winger role is unclear. Both Speas and Steinberger had their best moments when drifting centrally – and that is a positional issue Rennie will have to work out. It may yet necessitate a switch back to Hankinson’s infamous 4-4-2 diamond.
3. Indy played a low-bloc defensive line. Yet again, this could be a consequence of superior opposition, but Indy’s defensive line played very deep for most of the game. When the line did push up, it was via slow, ponderous passing between the centerbacks – lead by the towering Brad Rusin – and the two DMs.
The fullbacks helped retain a pretty well-organized defensive shape. Tyler Pasher had a good outing at Left back. All the scouts and coaches I’ve spoken to (who know Pasher) rate the young Canadian winger/full back very highly. They unanimously call him one of the quicker players they’ve seen, while a few highlight his crossing ability. From what I saw of him yesterday, I was pleased by his defensive positioning.
4. There were a number of trialists. Particularly in the final period, there were a number of players who aren’t currently on Indy XI’s roster. A pre-season game like this allows Rennie to see if certain players are capable of achieving the high standards Rennie demands. One trialist who stood out for this author was a floppy-maned central midfielder (for now, let’s call him Shaggy). Shagster looked like the part during his cameo. While young players can often chase shadows in games like this, Shaggalicious’ distribution, short-passing and reading of the game were strong. He kept things fairly simple – except for one long range pass for Amankona down the right wing. Shaggababy may yet end up on a roster, based on his performance. Would provide some much-needed squad depth at the CM position.
Soc Takes reached out to Indy XI to ascertain the name of current trialists. That request was declined.
5. Soony Saad up. Saad won and converted Indy XI’s penalty (Click the link below to download and view a video of the penalty) and was the standout player for Indy during a difficult final 30’ when FC Cincinnati really took control of the game. Saad’s best moments came with the ball in front of him, rather than when he had to play with his back to goal. The 25-year old Lebanon international possesses an acceleration and a powerful shot that will trouble opposition defenders. Whether Rennie deploys him as a winger or a forward will likely define Saad’s season.
Indy XI will play their next pre-season game against Swope Park Rangers on February 28th.
Follow Nipun on Twitter: @NipunChopra7.
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(*NOTE: an earlier version of this article misidentified Steinberger as the player whose 9th minute header was saved by FCC’s goalkeeper).
