Kevin Johnston

Special for IndyStar

INDIANAPOLIS – With playoff time fast approaching, the Indy Eleven are most concerned with one thing: clinging to or improving their fifth-place perch in the USL Eastern Conference standings.

So far, so good.

The Eleven snapped a two-match losing streak by downing the Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-0 on Wednesday at Lucas Oil Stadium. And more importantly, the win gave Indy a three-point cushion on sixth-place Bethlehem Steel FC. Eight teams qualify from each conference.

“Everybody felt confident before the game,” said Indy defender Karl Ouimette. “Even after practice yesterday, I felt like people were super confident and wanted to play today – like go on the field and give everything. So, it wasn’t that much pressure.”

The loss left Tampa Bay in 11th place and three points back of the eighth spot.

Tampa’s careless play in the midfield caused the visitors some early issues, as evidenced by Indy’s eight interceptions and 17 tackles in the first half. Indy turned several Rowdies giveaways into opportunities, eventually breaking through in the 37th minute.

Eleven defender Ayoze Garcia served in a shallow corner kick to the near post that Ouimette flicked in with his head to put the hosts up 1-0.

Indy goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams also came up huge in solidifying the clean sheet. The 6-4 Welshman dove to parry away a Tampa shot from distance right before the half and was superb throughout.

The Rowdies thought they’d have a chance to equalize when head referee Daniel Radford whistled for a Tampa penalty attempt after seeing a phantom handball in the box by Eleven defender Carlyle Mitchell. But after conferring with the assistant referee closest to the play – and also likely taking a glimpse at the Lucas Oil jumbotron – Radford correctly determined that a handball hadn’t taken place and a drop ball at the corner of the box was the outcome, much to the displeasure of Rowdies coach Neill Collins.

“Fair play to the officials,” Eleven coach Martin Rennie said. “Because ultimately, they made the right call.”

Instead, Indy striker Elliot Collier, on loan from MLS’ Chicago Fire, scored his first goal with the club on a rebound in the 75th minute.

The Eleven will visit FC Cincinnati on Saturday before hosting their final home match of the regular season the following Saturday against Bethlehem Steel FC. They’ll wrap up the regular season Oct. 13 at Louisville City, then it’s USL playoff time.

The league announced an English-inspired rebrand to the USL Championship, with its sister leagues, USL D3 and the PDL, renamed League One and League Two, respectively. The changes will take effect in mid-November after the playoffs.