Why you should expect way more from Indy Eleven in 2023

Why you should expect way more from Indy Eleven in 2023

 It's easy to say that 2022 was not the season anyone anticipated from Indiana's team. From the team built to the early success and the eventual mountainous fall downward, 2022 was a season that most fans will be quick to forget... or want to be quick to forget. 

But with the season's end, comes the beginning of a new season - the season of hope.

Transfers on transfers 

If there were a trophy for "winning" the offseason, Indy Eleven would at minimum be in the final for that trophy. Much like the peak - Rennie days, Mark Lowry has gone above and beyond to secure quality talent that has been successful at this level, or at the bare minimum, a talent that has a point to prove. The keys I felt going into this offseason were addressing vital statistical flaws that plauged the 2022 campaign. Namely, chances created, tackling accuracy, and above all else, goals scored. 

It's easier for a fanbase of any level to pull for a team that scores over a team that can't. If you find that balance, above all else, you are likely in the upper tier of your league. For Indy Eleven, 2022 put them near the bottom in almost all important statistical areas. 

I think when you look at the 2023 squad being built, which, at the time of publishing seems to be close to finishing with a few more names to be announced, it's clear to see that the team Mark Lowry both inherited and he built for the 2022 season was NOT the team he wanted. 

I think, in that vein, it's almost important to understand that while he didn't get the team he wanted in 2022 neither he nor anyone with the club, would ever admit that. I can,  because I write a blog and hope to eventually host a podcast and have no logistical ties to anyone or anything that prevents me from saying that. 

How 2023 could look: Starting Eleven

The roster built up to this point is more closely tied to Mark Lowry's goal of a 4-4-2 diamond, or, broken down, a four at the back, DM, two "Central" mids, a playmaker under two strikers. 

Here is my incredibly early and likely inaccurate projected best eleven for Indy Eleven in 2023:


I feel like we are still waiting for another central midfielder with Blake. Lindley in the defensive midfielder spot is crucial, building out from the back and providing protection for the defenders. Looking at this lineup and seeing the players brought in, it was very clear to see this was never going to be a thing for the 2022 team but Lowry's goal of a diamond will likely be achieved in 2023. 

What a day it's been

It's very easy to get stuck in the hype or to bite hard. I also think that a lot of fans are quick to be upset whenever they see longtime favorites leave or not be retained. But the thing to comprehend is that 2022 was not a good season with a team that was also not good. We constantly hear about how this team, that team, and the team after that are the most talented squad and Indy Eleven are no stranger to that argument. They have had incredibly talented squads but talent alone can not win you games. 

At the end of the day, you train, you plan, you execute and even on your best days, you may come up short. But for now, in this offseason, we can enjoy early levels of success as Mark Lowry and his staff have taken the responsibilities of these failures in 2022 on board, and know what they need to do to fix that. At the end of the day, a new season provides a refreshing change to, well.... 





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