User:GingerLines/2024 Indy Eleven Season

The 2024 Indy Eleven season is the current season for Indy Eleven, a professional soccer club based in Indianapolis, IN. It is also the club's eleventh season of existence, their eleventh consecutive season in the second tier of American soccer, and their seventh season in the USL Championship. The team also participated in the U.S. Open Cup.

Background
The previous season was the second consecutive season where the USL played a 34-match schedule divided into two conferences with both conferences having a single table. While being the first where all sides from both conferences played against each other.

The 2023 season was seen as relatively successful for Indy, as they successfully qualified for the USL Championship Playoffs for the first time since 2019 by finishing 6th in the Eastern Conference. The team lost to eventual finalists Charleston Battery in the Conference Quarterfinals on October 22, 2023. The team exited the U.S. Open Cup in the third round with a 1–0 away loss to MLS side Columbus Crew SC on April 26, 2023.

Following the conclusion of the 2023 season the club parted ways with head coach Mark Lowry, who later became the head coach for MLS Next Pro side Real Monarchs. The team announced the arrival of former Manchester United player and Minnesota United interim head coach Sean McAuley as their new head coach on January 8, 2024.

Preseason
The Eleven released their preseason schedule on January 19, 2024. Six games were announced, four home games and two away games. The Eleven faced clubs in the USL Championship, MLS Next Pro, USL League One, and one collegiate team.

The Eleven concluded their preseason games following a 3–1 victory over Detroit City on February 29. They ended their preseason series undefeated with five wins and one draw, and a +16 goal differential.

Match results
The league announced the 34 week regular season campaign for every club on December 18, 2023. Indy began their season away to Western Conference side Oakland Roots on March 9, with their home opener taking place in week three against Sacramento Republic on March 23.

The season consists of 34 matches, with the Eleven playing home and away against each Eastern Conference opponent. Indy will face expansion club Rhode Island FC for the first time ever on July 5, and will also play matches against North Carolina FC for the first time since 2020 on April 27. The top 8 teams in the Eastern Conference will qualify for the 2024 USL Championship playoffs.

U.S. Open Cup
As a member of the USL Championship, Indy Eleven entered the U.S. Open Cup tournament in the third round. The Eleven qualified for the Round of 32 for the first time since 2016 with a 1–0 victory over the Chicago Fire FC II on April 17, the team's first away victory in the U.S. Open Cup and their first shutout of the season.

The draw for the Round of 32 took place on April 18, with the Eleven hosting fellow USL Championship club San Antonio FC at home on May 8. The winner of that match will advance to play either Detroit City FC or MLS side Houston Dynamo in the Round of 16. On April 18, the Eleven announced that the match against San Antonio will be played at the Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis.

Appearances and goals

 * colspan=10 align=center|Players who left Indy during the season:
 * colspan=10 align=center|Players who left Indy during the season:


 * }

USL Championship Team of the Week
{| class=wikitable !Week !Starters !Bench !Opponent(s) !Link
 * 1
 * Jack Blake
 * Oakland Roots
 * 
 * 1
 * 🇲🇦 Younes Boudadi
 * Oakland Roots
 * 
 * 2
 * Jack Blake
 * Memphis 901
 * 
 * 2
 * 🇺🇸 Aedan Stanley
 * Memphis 901
 * 
 * 3
 * Jack Blake
 * Louisville City
 * 
 * 🇺🇸 Aedan Stanley
 * Memphis 901
 * 
 * 3
 * Jack Blake
 * Louisville City
 * 
 * Louisville City
 * 
 *