Kevin Johnston

IndyStar correspondent

INDIANAPOLIS – When the Indy Eleven and FC Edmonton cross paths in North American Soccer League play, it’s generally a grind-it-out, first-goal-wins affair.

“Our history with Edmonton over the last year has been the team that gets the goal, is the decider,” Eleven coach Tim Hankinson said.

Saturday was no different, only this time the clubs settled for a scoreless draw as neither side could find the back of the net on a windy evening at Carroll Stadium. The draw was Indy’s sixth in as many matches. Call it a theme.

Injuries have been another unfortunate theme for the Eleven this season, and the problem keeps getting worse. Add starting right back Marco Franco to the growing list.

The right back was a game-time decision with a shoulder injury, and ended up being replaced in the starting 11 by center back Kwame Watson-Siriboe. Lovel Palmer slid over to the right to fill Franco’s shoes, while Daniel Keller made his second consecutive start at left back.

“It’s obviously difficult times for us regarding some injuries and we had to shuffle the pack a little bit,” said Indy center back Colin Falvey. “But I thought the defensive shape was fantastic.”

Indy strung together some impressive possession in the midfield in the first half, but lacked polish in the final third. The clubs headed to the locker rooms scoreless at the break.

The second half was more of the same, with Indy getting the better of the run of play but still unable to convert.

“We’re waiting for that final boot — the final touch to get us the goal that we need to get the three points,” Hankinson said.

For the Eleven, the biggest positive was the clean sheet that allowed them to at least nab one point in the standings. Falvey was rock steady in the center of the defense, and Keller also once again impressed. Jon Busch had a mostly quiet night in net, but did produce a stellar save on Edmonton midfielder Sabri Khattab’s blast late to preserve the shutout.

The draw extended Indy’s home unbeaten streak to 21 matches.

“Not losing is a very important part of this season,” Hankinson said. “Every season is a different journey.”

Jason Plumhoff, one of two Indy signings this week to combat the numerous injuries, made his debut off the bench as a left winger. Brandon Poltonieri, the other new addition, also entered the match late.

Edmonton had a brutal recent travel schedule, having played at Miami this past weekend before flying to play the Ottawa Fury midweek in the Canadian Championship. But the Eleven were unable to take advantage of the Eddies’ fatigued legs.

Next up for Indy is a Saturday road test against a dangerous Miami FC club that features former Eleven attackers Dylan Mares and Blake Smith