Indy Eleven advanced to the Round of 32 the 2025 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup in dramatic fashion on Wednesday night, defeating Miami FC 1-0 thanks to a last-minute goal in the 123rd minute of extra time.
The game’s only goal came deep into stoppage time when Cam Lindley delivered a pinpoint corner into the box and Hayden White rose above the crowd to head home the winner, sending the home fans into a frenzy.
It was a tense, hard-fought contest that saw both sides struggle to break the deadlock through 90 minutes of regulation and nearly all of extra time. With the win, Indy continues its campaign in the country’s oldest soccer competition, and does so with a thrilling, last-gasp finish to remember.
The first half saw Indy Eleven come out strong, controlling possession and dictating the pace. Aedan Stanley had an early chance denied by Miami goalkeeper Bill Hamid, while Cam Lindley and Bruno Rendon both saw efforts go just wide in the opening 15 minutes. Elliot Collier nearly broke through in the 22nd minute, but Hamid tipped his shot over the bar. Miami slowly grew into the match, testing Indy on the counterattack, but the home side maintained the edge heading into halftime.
Miami came out with renewed purpose in the second half, with Veron forcing a stretching save from debutant Reice Charles-Cook in the 54th minute. Indy had several chances to seal it late — including another near-miss from Collier in the 78th minute which was served up on a silver platter by Kizza — but couldn’t find the back of the net. A final opportunity in stoppage time went over the bar, sending the match into extra time.
In the added period, both teams looked cautious, aware that one mistake could decide it all. Charles-Cook came up big again, stopping multiple attempts from Bonfiglio to keep Indy in the match.
Then came the moment. With just seconds remaining, Lindley delivered a looping corner into the area, and Hayden White’s powerful header struck the post and crossed the line, sealing a dramatic 1-0 victory in the 123rd minute.
Indy Eleven coach Sean McAuley didn’t hesitate to praise his debutant goalkeeper.
“We don’t win the game without Reice. That’s simple,” he said. Charles-Cook delivered a composed and confident performance between the posts, making two key saves to help secure Indy Eleven’s first clean sheet of the season in front of a packed crowd at Michael A. Carroll Stadium.
“He’s come in and shown exactly what we needed — calm, leadership, and presence,” McAuley said. “That goes a long way in games like this.”
Reflecting on his debut for Indy Eleven, Charles-Cook expressed excitement and a sense of fulfillment.
“It’s unreal, you know, finally coming to America and playing here,” he said, clearly moved by the moment. “Representing this club, I couldn’t ask for a better start.”
Charles-Cook played a pivotal role in securing Indy Eleven’s clean sheet, making two crucial saves during the match. When asked about the two standout moments, he humbly shared, “To be honest, I can’t really remember the exact details — my body just shut down after those saves! But the boys’ reactions told me everything. That’s what you work for, those moments, and all the work we’ve put in during training is what sets us up for them.”