INDY ELEVEN HOME OPENER
Grant Shoulders
April 18, 2025
Indiana’s only professional soccer team, the Indy Eleven has kicked off their 2025 season in the USL Championship. After an inspiring 3-1 win at Miami FC in the season opener, the Eleven found themselves traveling to Kentucky. A tough and gritty matchup at Lexington SC was expected, and the pair came out of it with a nail biting 1-1 draw.
The two traveling experiences teed the Eleven up for a strong home opener against last year’s USL Champions, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks. The Eleven circled this match as one of their most important of the entire year, as a win against this caliber of opponent could set the tone and momentum for the rest of the 2025 season.
After an early goal for Eleven’s premiere attacker Maalique Foster, Colorado had an answer right before halftime. The Switchbacks switched it up by ambushing Indy with 2 back-to-back goals to open the second half of play, and the freekick answer from Indy captain Aodhan Quinn would prove too late for the club.
Team captain Aodhan Quinn breaks down the loss at home, and what the team looks to improve on for the season.
The Eleven’s fan group – the Brickyard Battalion, showed up in a big way, overtaking Carroll Stadium with noise for the entire 90 minutes. Letting off their blue and red flares at kickoff, and following both of the Eleven goals in the 2-3 loss.
Since the home opener, the Eleven hosted North Carolina FC in a devastating 2-2 draw after leading 2-0 for most of regulation time. The club bounced right back during their opening match of the US Open Cup on April 16th against Miami FC for the second time this season.
After 122 minutes of play, Indy Eleven defender Hayden White scored an electric header to break the scoreless game open and advance the Eleven to the next round. The club has turned their attention to the MLS side Philadelphia Union for the round of 32 in the Open Cup.
Club manager Sean McAuley gives his thoughts on the 2025 Home Opener result and fan turnout.