Sporting KC II vs Indy Eleven: Preview, Starting XI, and Predictions

Sporting Kansas City II vs Indy Eleven

When: Wednesday, September 30th, 6:00 PM CT

Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

How to Watch: ESPN+ ($4.99/month or 49.99 annually)

Sporting Kansas City will make their fourth and final trip to Lucas Oil Stadium this season for another meeting with the Indy Eleven.

In three previous meetings between the two sides, Indy have won twice while SKC II won once. Sporting II have lost four straight and are coming from a second half meltdown against Austin Bold FC after conceding four in the second half last Wednesday.

Currently trailing St. Louis FC by nine points with two matches remaining, Paulo Nagamura’s side will finish the season in last place of Group E and will embrace their role as a spoiler on Wednesday evening. SKC Academy product Wilson Harris leads the attack with seven goals in 14 matches while former Colorado Rapid Dillon Serna has provided four assists from left back in 13 games.

According to the match notes Brooks Thompson, Gavin Krenecki, and Will Little will be out once again for SKC II.

Indy Eleven

Despite a good start to the campaign, the Indy Eleven have struggled since the end of July with just two wins in eight matches. With a record of 7-5-2, Indy holds the slightest of leads over St. Louis FC for the last playoff spot from Group E with a one point advantage entering Wednesday’s contest. A win for Indy would confirm their playoff spot, however, a loss or draw would force Indy to travel to St. Louis needing a minimum of a point for what would be an epic matchup to conclude the regular season.

Under the management of Martin Rennie, the Indy Eleven are coming off a 1-1 draw with STL FC. Russell Cicerone scored to give STL FC the 1-0 advantage until Neveal Hackshaw headed in the equalizer.

Former Swope Park Ranger forward Tyler Pasher has been Indy’s most consistent threat in the attack with nine goals, which is fifth most in the USL Championship. Ayoze and Atlanta United loanee Andrew Carleton have added three assists each.

Predicted Starting XI

The penultimate match against the Indy Eleven will surely feature all the players that have picked up a lot of minutes like Wilson Harris, Jake Davis, Dillon Serna, Danny Barbir, and Kaveh Rad. With a total of three changes from last week’s loss, Remi Prieur will likely start in goal for the third consecutive match with Academy product Kayden Pierre predicted to get his first ever professional start at right back. Christian Duke is also predicted to return to the XI, but he could be displaced by Ryan Fessler.

I think we might have seen the last of players like Camden Riley, Duval Wapiwo, Sam Raben and Jaret Townsend for the season and probably for the future as well for some.

Final Prediction

The Indy Eleven will be the heavy favorites for this matchup. Looking to clinch their third consecutive USL postseason birth, this match will be easy for Indy to get up for while an SKC II team already eliminated from the playoffs may struggle to keep going for an entire 90 minutes.

For my final prediction, I think the Indy Eleven will win with a 2-0 scoreline and book their place in the 2020 USL Cup Playoffs. If nothing else, SKC II would like to leave 2020 with a couple of good performances after playing so well for much of the season.