The 2024 Indy Eleven season was a domestic season for Indy Eleven, a professional soccer club based in Indianapolis, Indiana, beginning in February 2024 and ending in November 2024, comprising 40 competitive matches and 6 friendlies. It was 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, making the semi-finals for the first time in the club's history.
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 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 1âÂÂ0 away loss to MLS side Columbus Crew 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.
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 3âÂÂ1 victory over Detroit City on February 29. They ended their preseason series undefeated with five wins and one draw, and a +16 goal differential.
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 regular season concluded with an away game against Tampa Bay Rowdies on October 26.
The season consists of 34 matches, with the Eleven playing home and away against each Eastern Conference opponent. Indy faced expansion club Rhode Island FC for the first time ever on July 5, drawing 3âÂÂ3, and also played against North Carolina FC for the first time since 2020 on April 27, winning 2âÂÂ1. The top 8 teams in the Eastern Conference will qualify for the 2024 USL Championship playoffs. The Eleven qualified for the playoffs following a 3âÂÂ2 home win over Birmingham Legion FC on October 19. This marks the first playoff game hosted by Indy Eleven since 2019.
The top eight teams in each USL Championship conference advanced to the 2024 USL Championship Playoffs. The Eleven qualified for the playoffs following a 3âÂÂ2 home win over Birmingham Legion FC on October 19. The team secured a home game in the Conference Quarterfinals and a guaranteed top 4 conference finish on October 23 following Rhode Island FC's draw against Charleston Battery. The Eleven lost 2âÂÂ3 at home to Rhode Island FC in the Conference Quarterfinals on November 3.
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 1âÂÂ0 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. On April 18, the Eleven announced that the match against San Antonio would be played at the Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl on the campus of Butler University in Indianapolis.
The Eleven defeated San Antonio 2âÂÂ0 on May 8 to advance to the Round of 16 for the first time in their history. In the Round of 16 on May 22, the Eleven defeated fellow USL Championship club Detroit City FC 3âÂÂ0, who had defeated MLS side Houston Dynamo in the Round of 32.
The Eleven faced MLS side Atlanta United in the Quarter-finals on July 9, the first ever meeting of the two teams and Indy's first ever appearance in the Open Cup Quarter-finals. The Eleven's 2âÂÂ1 victory was the team's first ever win over an MLS side, and advanced the team to a historic semi-final matchup. Indy Eleven's tournament ended in a 0âÂÂ2 away loss to Sporting Kansas City on August 27 in the Eastern Semi-final. The Eleven were the only non-MLS team to reach the semi-finals and the result is the team's best-ever performance in the tournament.
|- |colspan=10 align=center|Players who left Indy during the season: