PRESENTED BY TRAVELERS
Date: Saturday, April 23rd, 2022
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Location: Trinity Health Stadium, Hartford, CT
Local TV: WCTX MyTV9
Tickets: Click here
Streaming: ESPN+ or hartfordathletic.com/watch
HARTFORD ATHLETIC (0-4-1) vs DETROIT CITY FC (3-1-2)
LAST TIME OUT:
Hartford Athletic are coming off a 2-1 loss to the New York Red Bulls in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup. The Red Bulls came out of the gate aggressively, as they got out to a 2-0 lead in under 30 minutes behind goals from Lewis Morgan and Aaron Long. The visitors fired off 24 total shots in the first half. The Green and Blue had a strong second half response, as they got a rocket of a goal from Conor McGlynn off a free kick feed from Danny Barrera in the 51st minute. Hartford were on the front foot for the entire half, entering New York’s final third 28 times and recording four shots. They came close to equalizing, most notably on a second Danny Barrera free kick that sailed just over the crossbar, and on a sizzling strike from Younes Boudadi from distance that hit the right post.
A LOSS, BUT A LIFT
Wednesday’s Open Cup loss may have not been the result that Hartford hoped for, but it was certainly a lift to the club’s spirits. In front of 5,144 roaring home fans, they showed resilience after falling down two goals early. “It would have been easy to fold and lose that game four-nil, but we kept fighting,” said Head Coach Harry Watling after the game. They kept fighting indeed, as the early second half goal from McGlynn put them in striking distance and they made a top MLS club work hard for a victory at Trinity Health Stadium. They generated quality chances in New York’s third, and the overall effort in the second half was a display of just how good this Hartford group can be when they are clicking.
MUST HAVE THREE POINTS:
Hartford Athletic will look to take the momentum from Wednesday’s strong second half and carry it into Saturday night’s matchup with Detroit City FC. An 0-4-1 start for a group with USL Championship playoff expectations would typically cause some panic within a club, but there are loads of confidence in this group that starts with Coach Watling, who said on Wednesday, “I believe in the group, the group believes in itself, and I know how good we are. We just need to start to show it.” For the Green and Blue to make their way back up the league table, coming away with three points is a must on Saturday night.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Hartford Athletic: Younes Boudadi, DF #2
Younes Boudadi is coming off a quality performance off the bench against the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday night, where he provided a spark for his club with his energy and caused problems for the opposition’s forwards in Hartford’s half. He was efficient offensively as well, as he hit the post with a shot and had five final third entries. The Belgian-born defender has playmaking ability as an outside player and has shown his skill in creating chances for his strikers with accurate crosses into the box.
Detroit City FC, Maxi Rodriguez, FW #21
Midfielder Maxi Rodriguez is perhaps the most popular face on Detroit’s roster at the moment, and for good reason. He delivered the game winning goal from the penalty spot that secured a historic Open Cup victory for his club over the Columbus Crew earlier this week, and he assisted Antoine Hoppenot’s game winning goal against the Birmingham Legion last Friday. A dangerous player in the middle of the pitch with playmaking ability, Rodriguez will be a difference maker for Detroit on Saturday night.
ABOUT THE OPPONENT:
Detroit City FC come into Saturday night carrying loads of momentum, as they pulled off a 2-1 Open Cup upset over the Columbus Crew on Tuesday. A penalty kick from Maxi Rodriguez in the 86th minute was the game winner for Detroit. In USL Championship play, they’re coming off a 1-0 victory over Birmingham, and they sit at fourth place in the eastern conference. In their first season in the league, they’ve proven to be a tough match against any club and will be a test for Hartford on Saturday night.
INJURY REPORT:
Hartford Athletic:
Juan Carlos Obregón Jr.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
Follow along on twitter @hfdathletic and #HFDvDET
