Kevin Johnston

IndyStar correspondent

Indy Eleven vs. Minnesota United FC, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, WISH-TV

Now that the North American Soccer League fall season is underway, Indy Eleven coach Tim Hankinson faces a unique challenge — albeit a good one: how to motivate a team that doesn’t have a whole lot to play for?

No matter what happens in the NASL's fall season, which the Eleven began with a 1-1 draw in Puerto Rico last week, Indy has already secured a playoff spot courtesy of an undefeated spring campaign that culminated with the spring championship.

Not bad for a team that scuffled through its first two years in league play. The stark turnaround was celebrated with cheers and tears after an improbable 4-1 win over Carolina on June 11. And expect those celebrations to continue prior to Saturday's kickoff against Minnesota United FC at IUPUI's Carroll Stadium.

Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett will be among those to present the Eleven with their spring championship trophy. While the hardware will look good in a trophy case, the true prize is the automatic home playoff match that comes with it.

The Eleven could lose their entire fall slate and still host a semifinal of the four-team NASL playoffs. But losing has been a foreign concept these days. The Eleven's next loss will be their first of 2016. They finished the spring season as the NASL's only unbeaten team. The lone blemish on Indy’s resume, a penalty shootout setback to Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire in the U.S. Open Cup, counts as a 1-1 draw with an asterisk beside it.

Another reason for fall motivation is the fact that — since the modern NASL began play in 2011 — no team has won both the spring and fall seasons in the same year. The situation also affords Hankinson the liberty of tinkering with his personnel and tactics, which should help keep his regulars well-rested throughout the fall.

One new Eleven regular likely to make his NASL debut against Minnesota is veteran central midfielder Gerardo Torrado, whose 146 appearances for Mexico's national team are second-most ever. He was featured in Indy’s 1-0 upset win in a friendly with Mexican professional team Pachuca but wasn’t available for the 1-1 draw in the fall season opener last weekend.

“A player like (Torrado) can elevate the players around him,” Hankinson said. “We (didn’t) have him for Puerto Rico because of the transfer window. But that’ll give him more time to settle into our community and work on his match fitness, and be ready for the Minnesota home game.”

GAME OF KINGS CHARITY EUCHRE TOURNAMENT

Do you know how to play euchre? Permanent Relegation is hosting its second annual Game of Kings charity euchre tournament at 6:30 p.m. July 20 at Chatham Tap in Fishers. Come and display your skills with the force of a right bower against Indy Eleven players and staff, local media members and fans.

It’s $50 per team, with all entry fees going to Playworks Indiana. Numerous prizes will be given away by the Indy Eleven and other sponsors. Click here to register; July 15 is the deadline.