Late Drama at The Ru Sends Game to Penalty Shootout

Fort Wayne Football Club against Indy Eleven exceeded expectations in the first-ever professional rivalry soccer game in the Hoosier State. The Victory and Liberty Derby started fast, with Indy Eleven finding their feet early and creating a number of chances down the wing. The breakthrough came in the 26th minute with a great individual play that ended with a bit of luck for Indy Eleven captain Aodhan Quinn.

Fort Wayne FC responded promptly with a goal in the 33rd minute by none other than Taig Healy, who has now scored in all four of Fort Wayne FC’s home games. Healy was able to tap home the rebound after Eric Dick managed to save the initial effort from former Atlanta United 2 player Javier Armas.

The game continued to heat up in the second half with multiple aggressive challenges and flaring tempers highlighted in the 58th minute, when Indy’s Bruno Rendon shoved Michael Rempel to the ground, and again in the 82nd minute, when Fort Wayne captain, Tiago Dias, went to ground against Loïc Mesanvi, leading to a confrontation between the two sides.

At the start of the second half, it was Fort Wayne who looked more likely to score next, with a number of promising attacks spearheaded by Coventry City academy graduate Jayden Smith. Smith delivered several dangerous crosses, including one in the 60th minute that forced an uncomfortable save from Indy Eleven goalkeeper, Eric Dick. However, it was ultimately the Boys in Blue who found the go-ahead goal in the 64th minute through Bruno Rendón following a teasing cross by former Minnesota United player Jack Blake.

The game was not finished yet at Ruoff Mortgage Stadium, as substitute Jack Thomas equalized in the 91st minute, scoring his first home goal and sending Fort Wayne FC’s first USL Cup home match to penalties.

Unfortunately for the Boys in Black, they lost the penalty shootout 3–1 against Indy Eleven, with goal scorers Taig Healy and Jack Thomas unable to convert their penalties for the home side.

Nevertheless, Fort Wayne FC earned their first points in Group 4 of the Prinx Tires USL Cup.

Coach Mike Avery reflected on the challenge of playing a tough USL Championship side in Indy Eleven, saying, “It was mostly about being brave,” and, “As the game wore on we got bigger and bigger and bigger in how we played,” which was evident as Fort Wayne FC fought back twice to force the match into penalties.

Jayden Smith, a standout player in the match, when asked about using his pace to his advantage on the right flank said, “In the pre-match, Gaffer was just telling us, just get high [and] get at that left back.” Smith carried out that plan repeatedly by whipping dangerous balls into the box. Defensively, he also managed to slow down many attacks from Loïc Mesanvi, admitting, “He was very fast just running at you and stuff, cutting in,” but added, “We [Fort Wayne FC] did alright. Obviously, for the goals, I think we could’ve done better,” especially on the first goal where Quinn was able to get past two defenders with relative ease.

Next, Fort Wayne FC faces Corpus Christi FC on Wednesday, May 20, in USL League One play, where they hope to remain unbeaten at home in regulation time. The fandom around Fort Wayne FC continues to grow, with the club seemingly breaking attendance records every home game as more sections of Ruoff Mortgage Stadium open for fans to experience the first season of professional soccer in Fort Wayne.