Hartford Athletic hits the road for its longest road trip by distance since the 2019 season. The boys head south for a trip to South Beach for the first official meeting between Hartford and Miami FC. The Magic City side made a lot of noise in the offseason making high impact signings, including one you'll read about in the "Players to Watch" section, but will it be enough to improve off a 2020 season with just four wins in sixteen matches?
HARTFORD ATHLETIC (1-0-0) at MIAMI FC (1-0-0)
Date: Saturday, May 8th
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Location: FIU Stadium, Miami, FL
Local TV: WCTX MyTV9
Streaming: ESPN+ or https://www.hartfordathletic.com/watch
International Viewers: YouTube
LAST TIME OUT:
Hartford used a dominant first half to dispatch New York Red Bulls II 3-2 in the first match of the season. It was a couple of familiar faces who teamed up for the season’s first goal, Gabi Torres found Captain Danny Barrera who tapped in the opener in the 13th minute. Twenty minutes later, Walmer Martinez made a beautiful run up the right side and crossed low into Juan Carlos Obregón Jr. who tapped the ball past the Red Bulls II keeper. A goal from Arthur Rogers in the second half cemented victory for the away side.
TEAM OF THE WEEK:
Two Hartford players were named to the USL Championship’s Team of the Week for their performance last Friday night. Midfielder Arthur Rogers scored a goal, won 9 of 15 duels, and made 13 recoveries and 3 interceptions in the win. Defender Nii Armah Ashitey was also named to the team with 7 interceptions, 12 recoveries, and wins in 4 of 5 tackles and 10 of 16 duels. This was Ashitey’s first appearance in the USL Championship.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE:
For the first time in Hartford Athletic history, the Club will have players who will need to report for International duties. In March, Nicolas Cardona became the first Hartford Athletic player to dress for an international competition, playing in a World Cup Qualifier for his home country of Puerto Rico. Nico will be called back in June for two more qualifying matches for Puerto Rico. Recent signee Juan Carlos Obergón Jr. could be Hartford Athletic’s first ever Olympian. Obergón played a part in ending Team USA’s qualifying bid for the 2021 Olympic games, scoring in the final minutes of the first half to put Honduras up 1-0 in a game they would win 2-1. With the win, Honduras qualified for the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo.
FROM THE GAFFER
Hartford Athletic hits the road for its longest road trip by distance since the 2019 season. The boys head south for a trip to South Beach for the first official meeting between Hartford and Miami FC. The Magic City side made a lot of noise in the offseason making high impact signings, including one you’ll read about in the “Players to Watch” section, but will it be enough to improve off a 2020 season with just four wins in sixteen matches?
HARTFORD ATHLETIC (1-0-0) at MIAMI FC (1-0-0)
Date: Saturday, May 8th
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Location: FIU Stadium, Miami, FL
Local TV: WCTX MyTV9
Streaming: ESPN+ or https://www.hartfordathletic.com/watch
International Viewers: YouTube
LAST TIME OUT:
Hartford used a dominant first half to dispatch New York Red Bulls II 3-2 in the first match of the season. It was a couple of familiar faces who teamed up for the season’s first goal, Gabi Torres found Captain Danny Barrera who tapped in the opener in the 13th minute. Twenty minutes later, Walmer Martinez made a beautiful run up the right side and crossed low into Juan Carlos Obregón Jr. who tapped the ball past the Red Bulls II keeper. A goal from Arthur Rogers in the second half cemented victory for the away side.
TEAM OF THE WEEK:
Two Hartford players were named to the USL Championship’s Team of the Week for their performance last Friday night. Midfielder Arthur Rogers scored a goal, won 9 of 15 duels, and made 13 recoveries and 3 interceptions in the win. Defender Nii Armah Ashitey was also named to the team with 7 interceptions, 12 recoveries, and wins in 4 of 5 tackles and 10 of 16 duels. This was Ashitey’s first appearance in the USL Championship.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE:
For the first time in Hartford Athletic history, the Club will have players who will need to report for International duties. In March, Nicolas Cardona became the first Hartford Athletic player to dress for an international competition, playing in a World Cup Qualifier for his home country of Puerto Rico. Nico will be called back in June for two more qualifying matches for Puerto Rico. Recent signee Juan Carlos Obergón Jr. could be Hartford Athletic’s first ever Olympian. Obergón played a part in ending Team USA’s qualifying bid for the 2021 Olympic games, scoring in the final minutes of the first half to put Honduras up 1-0 in a game they would win 2-1. With the win, Honduras qualified for the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo.
FROM THE GAFFER
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Hartford Athletic, Thomas Janjigian , DF, #20:
Jiggy, as he is more affectionately known by his teammates, is a terribly important piece of the Hartford back line. At 26 years old, he is the second oldest player on the team and plays a leadership role similar to the one team captain Danny Barrera plays. With a more potent offensive attack coming this week in the form of a Miami FC side that scored 2 goals in 10 minutes while at full strength on Sunday, Jiggy's presence and leadership at the back will be vital to slowing down the Miami attack.
Miami FC, Devon "Speedy" Williams, MF, #80:
Miami made a number of impressive additions this offseason, but none better than Williams. The three-time USL Cup Champion has played in over 140 USL Championship matches. In 2020 he led the league in completed passes (831) and was second in the league among outfield players in recoveries (141). Williams picked up where he left off in his Miami debut on Sunday night. He played the full 90 minutes, completing 30 passes, with 2 chances created.
ABOUT THE OPPONENT:
Miami FC is in their second season in the USL Championship. This will be the first meeting between the clubs as USL Championship members. The two clubs played a preseason friendly during Hartford’s inaugural season in 2019, which ended in a 3-2 win for Miami. Miami’s 2021 campaign is off to a good start, winning a chaotic first match of the season 2-1. Miami scored two goals in the first 10 minutes to take a commanding lead, but defender Janos Loebe was sent off in the 14th minute. Miami defended well and left with all 3 points.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Follow along on Twitter @hfdathletic and #MIAvHFD
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Hartford Athletic, Thomas Janjigian , DF, #20:
Jiggy, as he is more affectionately known by his teammates, is a terribly important piece of the Hartford back line. At 26 years old, he is the second oldest player on the team and plays a leadership role similar to the one team captain Danny Barrera plays. With a more potent offensive attack coming this week in the form of a Miami FC side that scored 2 goals in 10 minutes while at full strength on Sunday, Jiggy’s presence and leadership at the back will be vital to slowing down the Miami attack.
Miami FC, Devon “Speedy” Williams, MF, #80:
Miami made a number of impressive additions this offseason, but none better than Williams. The three-time USL Cup Champion has played in over 140 USL Championship matches. In 2020 he led the league in completed passes (831) and was second in the league among outfield players in recoveries (141). Williams picked up where he left off in his Miami debut on Sunday night. He played the full 90 minutes, completing 30 passes, with 2 chances created.
ABOUT THE OPPONENT:
Miami FC is in their second season in the USL Championship. This will be the first meeting between the clubs as USL Championship members. The two clubs played a preseason friendly during Hartford’s inaugural season in 2019, which ended in a 3-2 win for Miami. Miami’s 2021 campaign is off to a good start, winning a chaotic first match of the season 2-1. Miami scored two goals in the first 10 minutes to take a commanding lead, but defender Janos Loebe was sent off in the 14th minute. Miami defended well and left with all 3 points.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Follow along on Twitter @hfdathletic and #MIAvHFD
