INDIANAPOLIS – Indy Eleven announced on Friday it had acquired forward Maalique Foster via transfer from fellow USL Championship club Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. The transaction is pending league and federation approval. Per club policy, terms of the transfer agreement were not disclosed.

The Jamaican international joins the Boys in Blue having recorded four goals and four assists for the Switchbacks in 20 appearances this season, leading Colorado Springs in assists and chances created (34). Foster joined the Switchbacks prior to the 2023 season and logged eight goals and eight assists in the Championship overall in 54 appearances.

In 2021, Foster joined the Sacramento Republic FC, and despite sustaining an early-season injury made a difference in 15 appearances during the second half of the season. In 2022 he had a bigger impact with eight goals and one assist, completing 16 key passes and notching a passing accuracy rate of 79.8 percent. His season highlight came in the 2022 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Semifinal when his Panenka penalty kick against Sporting Kansas City helped Republic FC advance to the Final in a penalty shootout.

Analysis

Maalique Foster adds another significant attacking piece to Indy’s attack in a path that’s started to become well-worn between the two clubs. In addition to James Musa’s acquisition earlier this season by Indy, the Boys in Blue have also previously acquired central midfielder Cam Lindley and wingback Macauley King from the Switchbacks with forward Juan Tejada and Jonas Fjeldberg heading in the opposite direction.

Foster’s speed and skill on the flank should be a plus for Indy as it pursues a top-four finish in the Eastern Conference. Since the start of the 2023 season he ranks tied for third in the Championship with 82 completed dribbles and has notched 83 chances created on an Expected Assists mark of 9.38 assists – sixth-highest in the league over that span. With players such as Augustine Williams, Romario Williams and Sebastian Guenzatti to create for, Foster’s assist numbers overall could take a turn for the better.

Notably, too, Foster should be available for selection in Indy’s U.S. Open Cup Semifinal on Tuesday night against Sporting Kansas City as he did not appear in the Switchbacks’ lone outing in the tournament this season, which would have cup-tied him to Colorado Springs. After his experience with Sacramento two seasons ago, the Jamaican has shown he’s the man for the big occasion should it be needed.