Both New Mexico United and Indy Eleven are already looking ahead to the playoff push, but their current forms are heading in different directions. Despite remaining atop the West, United has lost the last two matches, also losing some of the luster of The Lab. Indy has also lost two of their last five, but are coming off of a midweek win over the surging Rhode Island. Both clubs will be fighting for a return to form in their first meeting away from Lucas Oil.
Indy has had tough go of it in recent weeks. Injuries and a lack of goals has seen them earn five of a possible fifteen points, while being shut out by Battery and the Rowdies. With so many injuries on the season, it would have been easy for them to throw in the towel and coast to the end. But they’re still fighting. This roster that has been assembled by the front office has names from top to bottom that should be familiar to USL followers.
Jack Blake had been the man for Indy this season, but prior to the midweek against Rhode Island, he hadn’t been seen in several weeks. In his return, he was held off the score sheet, but, that tends to happen when a player only gets four minutes on the pitch. The man of the evening was former Rowdies player Sebastian Guenzatti. It’s been a season of plug and play and it hasn’t always worked out. It’s been over a month since they last scored more than a single goal and they’ve been held scoreless three times since then. No matter who is up top, Indy will try to get inside the box and play off the shoulders of United’s defenders. That’s their strength and they’ll try to exploit that against one of the best defenses in the league.
Player to Watch
Cam Lindley – Lindley has become known across the league for his play in the midfield. He’s capable of creating from deep spaces and is a great box-to-box player. Lindley has had success against United in the past and he’ll look to offset both Marco Micaletto and Zico Bailey on Sunday.
United is also looking for answers. For the first time this season, they’ve lost two matches in a row and have struggled in the past four outings. The Lab seems to have lost the luster and the club appears to be struggling with motivation. Slow starts have marred all but the match against Louisville City. It’s been a concern for the club and led to them having to fight from difficult positions instead of playing comfortably.
The return of Bailey helped United control the midfield more against Lou City and should do the same against Indy. The other area of concern has been the creativity and chance creation in the attacking third. Despite sitting in the top third of the league in conversion, United has been struggling to create quality chances. They’ve also failed to convert on ones that have been presented to them, as happened to Sergio Rivas recently. United knows that they need to find ways to open up clubs that play defensively, and that’s what they’ll need to do on Sunday. Indy has a defense that can be beaten, but United has to take chances.
Player to Watch
Sergio Rivas – Rivas has struggled at times this season with injury and he knows it. He’s someone that on a good day can be an engine for United out of the midfield. But to do that, he has to be sharp mentally and technically. Often times he gets into his head and overthinks, but when he’s on his game, he can be dangerous.
Sunday’s match between New Mexico United and Indy Eleven is scheduled to kickoff at 3 p.m. (MT). There will be no radio coverage as The TEAM will be carrying the Dallas Cowboys preseason game against the Rams. The match can be viewed on ESPN+ or Estrella TV.