Indianapolis’s men’s professional soccer team, the Indy Eleven began their inaugural season in the North American Soccer League last Saturday against the Carolina RailHawks, leaving the game with a 1-1 draw. The stadium was packed with 11,000 plus fans, and if the club’s first game is any indication, the Indy Eleven will have much success in the city of Indianapolis. Here’s everything you need to know about the newest professional team in the Circle City!

Timeline

January 16, 2013: The NASL announces that an Indianapolis expansion team will join the league in 2014.

April 25, 2013: The name and colors of the team are announced at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.

June 11^th, 2013: Former Indiana University player Juergen Sommer is introduced as Indy Eleven’s first head coach

October 1^st, 2013: Kristian Nicht, a German goalkeeper, is announced as the teams first signing.

October 31^st, 2013: Over 6,000 season tickets have been sold for the inaugural 2014 NASL season

February 5^th, 2014: The Indy Eleven plays their first exhibition game against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, losing 2-3.

February 7^th, 2014: The Indy Eleven win their first exhibition game against Sporting KC by a score of 3-2

March 7^th, 2014: Renovations begin on Michael A. Carroll Stadium

April 12^th, 2014: The Indy Eleven play their first official regular season game against the Carolina RailHawks at Michael A. Carroll Stadium.

The League

The North American Soccer League (NASL) was founded in 2009 and will have ten teams for the 2014 season. The league is governed by CONCACAF, the same governing-body that over sees the MLS and other professional soccer leagues in North and South America. There is no promotion/relegation between other leagues in the CONCACAF, preventing clubs from moving up and down the preverbal ladder. The NASL has both a fall and spring season. The top two teams at the end of each season play in a four-team, single-elimination tournament that culminates with the Soccer Bowl. The winner is the champion for the year. No team has one multiple titles, but Minnesota United FC, the New York Cosmos, and the Tampa Bay Rowdies all have one title each.

The Crest

The team name Indy Eleven carries a double meaning, the starting eleven players on a soccer team and the 11^th Regiment Indiana Infantry serving in the American Civil War. The crest features Lady Victory from the Soldiers and Sailors monument and a checkered background paying homage to the racing history of Indianapolis. The team’s colors are red, white, and navy blue. Diadora manufactures the jerseys and Honda is the kit sponsor.

The Roster

President

Peter Wilt

Head Coach

Juergen Sommer

Goalkeepers

Nathaniel Sprenkel

Jon Dawson

Kristian Nicht

Defenders

Oghenefejiro Okiomah

Jaime Jr. Flores

Andrew Stone

Chris Estridge

Chris Wey

Erik Zenon Norales Casildo

Kyle Hyland

Baba Omosegbon

Midfielders

Dyland Mares

Andrew Jordan Corrado

Jose Kleberson Pereira

Corby Moore

Don Smart

Brad Ring

Walter Ramirez

Forwards

Ben Spencer

Pedro Ferreira Mendes

Michael Ambersley

The Stadium

Home games for the 2014 NASL Season will be held at Michael A. Carroll Stadium, located on the IUPUI campus.  The stadium opened in 1982 and hosted the athletic events for the 1984 Pan American Games. The venue is named after Michael A. Carroll, a civic leader in Indianapolis. In addition to being the home of the Indy Eleven, Michael A. Carroll Stadium also hosts soccer and track and field events for the local IUPUI Jaguars. The venue will seat about 11,000 fans after being renovated before the 2014 NASL season. Stands were added behind both ends of the field and club boxes were added across from the existing grandstand. It’s clear that Carroll Stadium cannot be a long term home for the Indy Eleven, as it is too small to host professional soccer matches every week. The club has already talked with the city about building a soccer-specific stadium in Indianapolis to serve as the permanent venue for the club.

The Schedule

 Spring Season

April 19 vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

April 26 at Ft. Lauderdale Strikers

May 3 at Minnesota United FC

May 10 vs. FC Edmonton

May 17 vs. Ottawa Fury FC

May 24 at NY Cosmos

May 31 vs. San Antonio Scorpions

Fall Season

July 12 @ Carolina Railhawks

July 19 vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

July 27 @ FC Edmonton

August 2 vs. Atlanta Silverbacks

August 6 vs. Fort Lauderdale Strikers

August 9 @ San Antonio Scorpions

August 16 @ Minnesota United FC

August 23 vs. Ottawa Fury FC

August 30 vs. New York Cosmos

September 6 @ Atlanta Silverbacks

September 13 vs. FC Edmonton

September 20 @ Fort Lauderdale Strikers

September 27 vs. Carolina Railhawks

October 4 @ New York Cosmos

October 11 vs. Minnesota United FC

October 18 vs. San Antonio Scorpions

October 25 @ Ottawa Fury FC

November 1 @ Tampa Bay Rowdies