Every win matters. Every win gives you three points and every win proves you are better than your opponent
For Indy Eleven up until this past Saturday, it had been 12 matches or 1,080 minutes of narrow defeats, thrashings, and snatching defeat from the jaws of victories. Players have moved on, new ideas have been tried, but above nothing else each week Indy Eleven went out with the intention of going for three points, even if supporters couldn't find the belief that things would be changing.
It was a recipe for excitement. Former Indy Eleven goalkeeper Jordan Farr was back for the first time, San Antonio sits in a strong spot in the West. For all intents and purposes - this should have been a match that ended in a similar result to every other match Indy has played during this streak. A blowout - similar to their result when they traveled to play San Diego Loyal or a narrow defeat like many of their losses have been.
Regardless many had written this game off, including me to some degree, as a game to be expected.The team would come out, push hard, but eventually succumb to a stronger opponent by way of a lapse in judgment by the defense or a ball that couldn't be stopped by Trillk. It wouldn't be shocking regardless of the result because supporters have given up expecting different results and have accepted that the 2022 Boys in Blue are what and who they are.
However, things wouldn't be what many expected...
Why it matters
Every victory matters in the grand scheme of a season. It gets you closer to goals you have during the season and for casual onlookers it is an easy indication of success. However, for Indy Eleven and the season they have had the victory against San Antonio means much more than just a simple three points. It's a victory that's multiple weeks in the making.
You may not realize it but as this losing streak has gone on Indy Eleven has improved greatly. Through tactical exploration - this team has learned who they are, what they are, and what they can accomplish. Even if the players are a distant dream, and that's what they are this season, the bigger picture is that Indy Eleven are regrowing in a new image.
For many USL sides, it's difficult to build a multiple-year success plan. That's not an argument for something like promotion and relegation but rather a statement of fact over what happens in leagues lower than MLS which has Champion's League positions it can fight for. So for many supporters, it's difficult to grasp that season-on-season success isn't guaranteed and that losing is something they might have to accept.
The taste of success that Indy Eleven drank from in the NASL days has taught fans to have extremely high expectations but I believe that Lowry wasn't brought in because of his instant success. His time in El Paso is a clear indication that he isn't someone who snaps his fingers and puts together a great time.
I feel like what Indy Eleven have needed is a coach that not only is given the time to build something but build a lasting long-term level of success. Lowry isn't the coach to bring in if you want to go from missing the playoffs to a playoff spot. He is the guy you bring in because you want to build a strong brand of not only homegrown players but also longer-term success.
Looking back - forward
The result on Saturday won't be significant this time next season let alone in 2-3 weeks especially if the team loses more matches. But it's a glimmer of hope. It's a shining light spotlighting that the team has the ability to piece together a full 90 minutes and that it has the ability in the swamp of a long season to find a root to hold onto and pull itself out.
The result Saturday, however, is a building block. I'm excited about instant success and rode the high of winning well into my Sunday (and probably Monday as well) but it's simply a step on a long ladder this team still has to climb to erase the recent memories of failure.
Failure isn't simply losses, but rather falling short of reasonable expectations set for yourself. For Indy Eleven even in the midst of losses the failures have been at not closing out games. Draws turned into losses and win turned into draws or losses.
What you should take away from the result
What you should take away from Saturday is that this team cares. Even if you can't see it... I encourage you and I hope these posts will encourage you to see beyond the box scores and look into the meat of games. Don't look at where the ball is at but where it could and should be going. See results as a piece of the overall puzzle that is a full season.
Watch out for Indy Eleven - Lowry is taking them places
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