Indy Eleven draw Riverhounds in important USL conference showdown

INDIANAPOLIS – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC entered Wednesday's matchup against the Indy Eleven with the USL's toughest defense.

The Eleven solved the Riverhounds well enough to earn a draw. Jack McInerney’s late stunner in stoppage time saw the teams share points from the 2-2 final at Lucas Oil Stadium.

“Offensively, we’ve been better because we’re having more runs,” said Eleven defender Karl Ouimette. “We’re having more guys willing to turn and attack the defenders which creates space in the opponent’s defense. So, we want to keep doing that, and if we keep driving like that we’re going to get a lot of goals.”

With both teams currently in playoff position – top eight in the Eastern Conference – the promise of hosting a playoff match loomed.

The Riverhounds, who had allowed just 12 goals all season heading into the match, came out in a 3-4-3 formation, with a true back three plus two wingbacks that were afforded the freedom to play higher up the pitch by manager Bob Lilley. Indy countered with coach Martin Rennie’s familiar 4-3-3 that typically features multiple central defensive midfielders.

Dylan Mares made his second start since returning to Indy, and now-healthy forward Eugene Starikov also joined the starting 11 after missing a few games.

Indy came out of the gates clicking. Just 4 minutes in, McInerney slotted home a “gimme” on an open net to give the hosts an early 1-0 cushion.

A minute before the half, Pittsburgh leveled matters on a set piece. Christiano Francois served a dangerous ball into the box and Joseph Greenspan got leverage on and outjumped his mark to head it in.

The visitors sprang in front in the 59th minute, again via Francois’ participation. This time he provided the goal instead of serving it up, dispossessing Indy on a lazy back pass that left Eleven goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams exposed off his line. Francois took a few dribbles toward the open net before easily finishing.

Following Francois’ brilliance, Riverhounds goalkeeper Michael Kirk took over. Kirk made diving save after diving save to keep his squad in front in the second half – that is, until late.

An 86th-minute red card issued to Pittsburgh’s Raymond Lee for violent conduct offered the Eleven a glimmer of hope. Minutes later, Ben Speas found McInerney into space, who bagged his second to secure Indy a point.

The draw moved Indy’s unbeaten streak to seven.

One of the regulars in Pittsburgh’s stout defense, center back Hugh Roberts, has a connection to a certain Indiana Pacers All-Star. Roberts grew up in the Washington D.C. area playing basketball with Victor Oladipo and is a family friend.

“Every single goal, we take that personally,” Roberts said. “Two goals (against us) doesn’t really happen often, so when games like this happen we’re frustrated. … But we know this is the game of soccer and you’ve just got to keep moving with it sometimes. And these games happen.”

The Eleven host the Richmond Kickers on Saturday and New York Red Bulls II next Wednesday.