Welcome to this week’s edition of The Roundup, where we keep you updated on all things Hartford Athletic, as well as what's going on around the United Soccer League and the Soccer world. This past week, players from Open Tryouts and the Hartford Athletic scouting network took to the Dillon Stadium pitch for an Invitational Combine. Find out who earned an invitation to Preseason Training! Plus, you'll learn a thing or two about Hartford’s Eastern Conference divisional opponents in the USL season preview!
Invitational Combine
With Preseason Training starting up on Monday, Hartford Athletic held its Invitational Combine at Dillon Stadium this past week. Players from Open Tryouts and the Hartford Athletic scouting network competed at Dillon Stadium for four days for a chance to get one step closer to achieving their goals and becoming a professional soccer player. After four really competitive sessions, Hartford Athletic selected the following nine players to advance to Preseason:
Emmanuel Ofori Jr (WG/FW; East Hartford, CT; Age: 17; Height: 6’2”; Weight: 176lbs): A senior at East Hartford High School and an All-State selection in 2019. Emmanuel advanced from Open Tryouts.
Justin DiCarlo (GK; Canton, CT; Age: 16; Height: 6’1”; Weight: 175lbs): Former Oakwood player, currently with Hotchkiss School and BlackRock FC. Justin advanced from Open Tryouts.
Javel Dawkins (RB/RCB; Stratford, CT; Age: 22; Height: 6’1”; Weight: 175lbs): Former Georgian Court University, had stints with Hartford City and in Portuguese 3rd division. Javel advanced from Open Tryouts.
Shamir Holt (CDM, Hartford, CT; Age: 19; Height: 5’10”; Weight: 170lbs): A former Oakwood player who calls our capitol city home. Won a state championship at Farmington High School.
Ahmed Abd-Elazem (CM; Baltimore, MD; Age: 18; Height: 5’9”; Weight: 165lbs) Former Baltimore Armour Academy U19.
Andrew Nino (ACM; Union Ville, NJ; Age: 22; Height: 5’10”; Weight: 160lbs): NJIT alumni, from NJ.
Joshua Hernandez (ACM/FW; Hurleyville, NY; Age: 20; Height: 5’11”; Weight: 170lbs): former Cedar Stars and FC Westchester Academy, went to Colombia in 2018 and played in state levels there until 2020. Joshua advanced from Open Tryouts.
Richie Schlentz (LB; West Chester, PA; Age: 22; Height: 6’0”; Weight: 165lbs): Villanova University alumni. Former Philadelphia Union Academy
Walmer Martinez (WG/FW; Santa Cruz, CA; Age: 22; Height: 5’11”; Weight: 175lbs): CSU Monterrey Bay alumni. Potential to play with El Salvadorian youth international squads.
These players will compete over with the first team over the next few weeks, with the 2021 season set to start in roughly six weeks.
Around the USL
– USL drops Eastern and Western Conference previews
Five Eastern Conference Preseason Talking Points (uslchampionship.com)
Five Western Conference Preseason Talking Points (uslchampionship.com)
Messi Screamer Not Enough as PSG Knock Out Barcelona:
A world-class Lionel Messi goal proved the be the only positive for FC Barcelona this past week. Barcelona and Messi were knocked out in the Champions League round of 16 at the hands of PSG. Kylian Mbappe put the Parisians up one-nil with a penalty as the French superstar continues his incredible form.
Later in the first half, Lionel Messi scored one of the goals of the season. Messi collected the ball 20-30 yards outside of the 18-yard box and shifted it onto his left foot. Messi unleashed an unstoppable strike and the ball arrowed into the top corner. The game stayed at 1-1 and Barcelona was ultimately eliminated 5-2 on aggregate.
Barcelona continues to struggle under new head coach Ronald Koeman this season and it is hard to see where they go from here. You have to wonder just how many more Messi goals we will see like this in his career for Barcelona. With his contract running down and age only increasing, we just have to enjoy it.
Welcome to this week’s edition of The Roundup, where we keep you updated on all things Hartford Athletic, as well as what’s going on around the United Soccer League and the Soccer world. This past week, players from Open Tryouts and the Hartford Athletic scouting network took to the Dillon Stadium pitch for an Invitational Combine. Find out who earned an invitation to Preseason Training! Plus, you’ll learn a thing or two about Hartford’s Eastern Conference divisional opponents in the USL season preview!
Invitational Combine
With Preseason Training starting up on Monday, Hartford Athletic held its Invitational Combine at Dillon Stadium this past week. Players from Open Tryouts and the Hartford Athletic scouting network competed at Dillon Stadium for four days for a chance to get one step closer to achieving their goals and becoming a professional soccer player. After four really competitive sessions, Hartford Athletic selected the following nine players to advance to Preseason:
Emmanuel Ofori Jr (WG/FW; East Hartford, CT; Age: 17; Height: 6’2”; Weight: 176lbs): A senior at East Hartford High School and an All-State selection in 2019. Emmanuel advanced from Open Tryouts.
Justin DiCarlo (GK; Canton, CT; Age: 16; Height: 6’1”; Weight: 175lbs): Former Oakwood player, currently with Hotchkiss School and BlackRock FC. Justin advanced from Open Tryouts.
Javel Dawkins (RB/RCB; Stratford, CT; Age: 22; Height: 6’1”; Weight: 175lbs): Former Georgian Court University, had stints with Hartford City and in Portuguese 3rd division. Javel advanced from Open Tryouts.
Shamir Holt (CDM, Hartford, CT; Age: 19; Height: 5’10”; Weight: 170lbs): A former Oakwood player who calls our capitol city home. Won a state championship at Farmington High School.
Ahmed Abd-Elazem (CM; Baltimore, MD; Age: 18; Height: 5’9”; Weight: 165lbs) Former Baltimore Armour Academy U19.
Andrew Nino (ACM; Union Ville, NJ; Age: 22; Height: 5’10”; Weight: 160lbs): NJIT alumni, from NJ.
Joshua Hernandez (ACM/FW; Hurleyville, NY; Age: 20; Height: 5’11”; Weight: 170lbs): former Cedar Stars and FC Westchester Academy, went to Colombia in 2018 and played in state levels there until 2020. Joshua advanced from Open Tryouts.
Richie Schlentz (LB; West Chester, PA; Age: 22; Height: 6’0”; Weight: 165lbs): Villanova University alumni. Former Philadelphia Union Academy
Walmer Martinez (WG/FW; Santa Cruz, CA; Age: 22; Height: 5’11”; Weight: 175lbs): CSU Monterrey Bay alumni. Potential to play with El Salvadorian youth international squads.
These players will compete over with the first team over the next few weeks, with the 2021 season set to start in roughly six weeks.
Around the USL
– USL drops Eastern and Western Conference previews
Five Eastern Conference Preseason Talking Points (uslchampionship.com)
Five Western Conference Preseason Talking Points (uslchampionship.com)
Messi Screamer Not Enough as PSG Knock Out Barcelona:
A world-class Lionel Messi goal proved the be the only positive for FC Barcelona this past week. Barcelona and Messi were knocked out in the Champions League round of 16 at the hands of PSG. Kylian Mbappe put the Parisians up one-nil with a penalty as the French superstar continues his incredible form.
Later in the first half, Lionel Messi scored one of the goals of the season. Messi collected the ball 20-30 yards outside of the 18-yard box and shifted it onto his left foot. Messi unleashed an unstoppable strike and the ball arrowed into the top corner. The game stayed at 1-1 and Barcelona was ultimately eliminated 5-2 on aggregate.
Barcelona continues to struggle under new head coach Ronald Koeman this season and it is hard to see where they go from here. You have to wonder just how many more Messi goals we will see like this in his career for Barcelona. With his contract running down and age only increasing, we just have to enjoy it.
