One of the reasons spectators love the U.S. Open Cup is the chance for underdogs to pull off an upset. This competition allows lesser-known teams, often overshadowed by their bigger, wealthier rivals, to dream big. What makes the Open Cup so special is that it gives underdog teams a chance at glory. It allows them to overcome obstacles of money, health and attitude to achieve goals that were previously impossible. This year, such a story is playing out in Indianapolis, Indiana, where Indy Eleven is on the verge of something truly special.

At the 2024 USL Championship, Indy Eleven is within striking distance of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As runners-up in the US Open Cup, Indy Eleven would be eligible to compete in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Indy must beat Sporting Kansas City in the semifinals and LAFC must qualify for the CCC via the Leagues Cup. This would put them in the exclusive club of USL clubs such as Montreal Impact, Vancouver Whitecaps and Puerto Rico Islanders. Each of these clubs has already made it to the coveted competition.

For a team from a lower-tier US league, the Open Cup is the only path to an international competition like the CCC, so this opportunity represents not only a potential triumph for Indy Eleven, but also for the USL as a whole. It’s a chance to showcase the quality and determination of a league often overshadowed by Major League Soccer.

US Open Cup offers Indy Eleven a chance at glory

However, Indy Eleven’s journey this season has been anything but straightforward. The team entered the 2024 USL Championship season on shaky ground, managing just one win in its first seven games. As if that rocky start wasn’t enough, news of a potential MLS expansion franchise coming to Indianapolis became public knowledge, casting a shadow over the team’s future. Historically, such news can destabilize lower-league clubs. Players and staff, fearing for their jobs, became distracted and lost focus.

Indy Eleven head coach Sean McAuley was well aware of this looming disaster. McAuley was aware of the dangerous situation and took proactive steps to get the team back on track. “We brought the group together when the situation around the stadium and the MLS bid fell through. The uncertainty that can cause for a USL player is quite significant,” McAuley explained. He impressed upon his players the importance of ignoring distractions off the field and instead focusing on performance and winning.

Together for the cause

The team’s response to this crisis has been remarkable, with McAuley calling the meeting a turning point that helped players refocus and move on with renewed determination. “You have to realize that some of our players have been through this. Some of them have played for San Diego,” McAuley noted, referring to San Diego Loyal, the USL team that was disbanded in 2023 after MLS announced the formation of San Diego. “They were told there’s no job for them next year,” he added, citing the harsh reality players face at clubs in lower-tier leagues.

But instead of allowing that uncertainty to undermine their season, the Indy Eleven players used it as motivation. The team, backed by a strong ownership group, came together with a clear mission: to fight for something bigger. As McAuley put it, “We believe we can fight for something.”

PHOTOS: IMAGO