PRESENTED BY TRAVELERS
Date: Saturday, May 13th, 2023
Time: 10:30 PM ET
Location: Phoenix Rising Stadium at 38th St/Washington, Phoenix, Arizona
Streaming: ESPN Plus, WTNH.com, or MyTV9
HARTFORD ATHLETIC (1-5-2) at PHOENIX RISING FC (2-2-4)
LAST TIME OUT
Hartford Athletic are coming off a 2-0 loss to Memphis 901 FC at home. The Green and Blue struggled to get their feet off the ground in this match, taking just one shot in the first half. They conceded a goal from Laurent Kissiedou in the 32nd minute and went into half time down 1-0. They had an improved second half performance, but did not challenge Memphis’s back line consistently enough. Prince Saydee and Danny Barrera put shots on target in the first five minutes of the half, and Antoine Hoppenot nearly tied the game in the 82nd minute. Matt Sheldon lobbed a throw-in into the box that fell to Hoppenot in front of the net, but his shot was not squared and Bill Hamid made a quality save. Rashawn Dally provided the dagger for Memphis just a minute later, delivering Hartford their second loss at home this year.
UNCHARTED TERRITORY
Saturday will be Hartford’s first match at Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium, and their second ever matchup with Rising FC. They faced off last year May 28, 2022, losing 2-1 after getting a loan goal from Prince Saydee. Phoenix’s Kevon Lambert and Greg Hurst recorded a goal each to defeat Hartford at Trinity Health Stadium.
FAULTY FINISHING
Hartford’s struggles on the offensive end have been apparent so far this season, but they have not come by lack of chance creation. Just last week in an otherwise forgetful performance against Memphis, they had chances to tie the game and totaled 1.11 expected goals, but came up empty. They are seventh in the league with 1.51 total expected goals so far, but pair that with a -0.12 xGD. One of the few teams with a worse xGD is Phoenix Rising FC (-0.41 xGD). Hartford also put 37.5% of their shots on target, which is in the top five in the Championship. For the Green and Blue, it’s more a matter of putting their chances away than it is a struggle to create them.
A LONG WAY TO GO
Despite a frustrating start with some crushing losses, Hartford Athletic find themselves just a couple of wins away from potentially eclipsing the playoff line. With 26 games left to play and 78 points left to play for, the Green and Blue have time to gain a chunk of points back. If they can get a win in Phoenix, they’ll take momentum back to Hartford for back to back matches at home against Loudoun and Sacramento. Catching fire in the second half of May can set them up to be a dangerous team in the summer months, as they will likely have key pieces Kembo Kibato and Elvis Amoh healthy and ready to play by then.
Check the Pulse
ABOUT THE OPPONENT
Phoenix Rising FC hold a 2-2-4 record on the 2023 season, coming off of their first loss since March to the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Tampa Bay took a 1-0 lead in the 10th minute when a one-two pass between Yann Ekra and Ryan Spalding on the left flank helped get behind three defenders. Rowdies forward JJ Williams made a long run down the center of the field into the box and was able to get his head on the end of a cross serviced by Spalding, knocking it into the back of the net. Charlie Dennis gave Tampa a 2-0 lead just before halftime in stoppage time with a perfectly placed free kick from the top of the box that curled into the upper left 90 past Phoenix goalkeeper Rocco Rios Novo. Phoenix has introduced some new players this season who have become top goal scorers for the club, including former LAFC forward Danny Trejo and former Indy Eleven stand out Manuel Arteaga.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Hartford Athletic, Matt Sheldon, DF #16
Matt Sheldon has played in seven matches for the Green and Blue in his first season and recorded a total of 599 minutes. He has been consistently a part of the action this season on both ends of the field, which earned him Team of the Week honors during week four. During Hartford’s match against Orange County SC, Sheldon swiped four interceptions, won 13 duels, and won possession for the Green and Blue seven times. Sheldon was also busy in the final third, creating three chances, delivering three crosses, and recording a shot on target. He led Hartford in total touches as well with 87. Sheldon continues to be a key player for Hartford with 11 clearances and 11 interceptions total this season.
Phoenix Rising FC, Kevon Lambert, MF #27
Kevon Lambert played the entire 90 minutes of Phoenix’s last match against Tampa Bay, contributing one shot, two clearances, and eight final third entries. Lambert has been a member of the Phoenix Rising squad since 2017 as a midfielder, and has received multiple Team of the Week honors, most recently in Weeks six and seven this season. Lambert recorded 10 clearances, two interceptions and won 10 of 13 duels in his Week seven match against San Antonio FC. The Jamaican native also has experience playing for the Jamaican National team for the U-20 side, along with 14 appearances with the first team.
INJURY REPORT
Hartford Athletic
Out: Kembo Kibato (Foot), Elvis Amoh (Thigh), Jonathan Filipe (RT knee)
Phoenix
Out: Jackson Conway (suspension)
Questionable: Niall Dunn (lower body), Emil Cuello (lower body), Gabi Torres (lower body), Mo Traore (lower body), Erickson Gallardo (lower body), Uzo (lower body)
