USL newcomer Indy Eleven (4-2-1) will face Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (4-0-3) for the first time in club history at 7 p.m. on Friday at Highmark Stadium. Indy Eleven join the USL Eastern Conference for this campaign after previously competing in the North American Soccer League (NASL).
Indy Eleven have fared well in 2018 thus far, ranking No. 6 in the Eastern Conference standings heading into week nine. Both of the club’s losses have come to first-place FC Cincinnati. Despite these losses, the Eleven have shown they can defeat elite competition, as it is coming off a 1-0 victory against defending USL-champion Louisville City FC.
Owain Fon Williams has statistically been one of the top goalkeepers in the conference, ranking tied for No. 1 with four clean sheets. He also has recorded a .706 save percentage and 0.71 goals-against average while starting all seven of the Eleven’s games to date. He most recently shut out Louisville City FC last time out.
Strengths
Balanced attack: Indy Eleven have featured scoring from a wealth of players thus far into the season. Jack McInererney, Soony Saad and Ayoze García all lead the squad with two goals apiece.
Winning fouls: The Eleven have won 95 fouls this season, which compares well to only 67 fouls conceded.
Weaknesses:
Conversion rate: The Eleven rank No. 12 in the Eastern Conference with an 11 percent conversion rate. Furthermore, two of the club’s seven goals have been scored via penalty kick opportunities – a seemingly easier route to notch a goal.
Discipline: The team has posted the fourth most yellow cards (15) in the Eastern Conference.
