PRESENTED BY TRAVELERS
Date: Saturday, April 25th, 2023
Time: 7:30 PM ET
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, Massachusetts
Streaming: HERE
HARTFORD ATHLETIC (1-3-2) at NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION (6-1-2)
LAST TIME OUT
Hartford Athletic are coming off their first victory of the USL Championship season on Saturday, April 15th, 2-1 over Oakland Roots SC. Back-to-back first half goals from Prince Saydee and Jeciel Cedeño made the difference, adding exclamation points to Hartford’s best half of the season so far. They found themselves defending for much of the second half, and conceded a penalty kick after a hand ball was called on Triston Hodge in the 73rd minute. Hartford would hold on, however, and took home three much-needed points into a bye week.
CEDEÑO SHINING
Jeciel Cedeño has been a bright spot for Hartford through their first seven games. The 22 year old forward has been moved into an attacking midfield position to help fill the gaps in Hartford’s midfield, and has looked quite comfortable. He picked up assists in back-to-back games against Lansdowne Yonkers and Charleston Battery, and followed up with his first USL Championship goal at Oakland last week. A brilliant individual effort, Cedeño split two defenders and slotted his shot perfectly into the bottom right corner to give his squad a 2-0 lead. Cedeño is in his third year with the club and had only made six total starts for Hartford going into 2023. This year, he has already made four starts and looks to be a key piece in Hartford’s form. “Jeciel has proven that he needs to play a big role on this team for us to be successful,” said Coach Ramos two weeks ago.
THE ROYAL PRINCE
Saydee has gotten out to a red hot start offensively. His four goals are tied for third most in the Championship, and he’s got an assist to go along with it. The Liberian forward has been Hartford’s most consistent threat to score, putting his lightning-like speed on display in one-on-one opportunities and finishing efficiently (four goals on six shots). He’s also made the Championship’s Team of the Week twice, and was a Player of the Month nominee for March.
THE MIDFIELD GAINS REINFORCEMENTS
Hartford midfielder Andre Lewis has returned after suffering a head injury at Colorado Springs in Week Two. It’s a major positive for Hartford, as Lewis was a starter and a key piece to the team’s connecting play in the midfield and chance creation in the final third. He scored six goals last year and bagged three assists, and already tallied an assist in Week One of this season. In addition, the club signed 23 year old midfielder Juan Pablo Torres last week. The former NYCFC product brings his great technical ability and engine to Hartford. He played for RGVFC in 2022, and brings international experience as well. In 2018, Torres played for Tab Ramos at the U20 level and made seven appearances, netted four goals, and tallied two assists on the way to a CONCACAF title for the United States. Hartford still await the return of Kembo Kibato to complete their ideal midfield. Kibato left the Birmingham game in Week Three with a foot injury, and is out indefinitely.
ABOUT THE OPPONENT
New England Revolution are currently in first place in the MLS’s eastern conference table, holding a 6-1-2 record and 20 points. They’re coming off a 2-1 win over Sporting Kansas City last Saturday, with two goals from Giacomo Vrioni leading the way. He has three total goals on the season, leading his team. The Revs’ strong start to this season can be credited by their stellar defensive form so far, conceding just eight times in nine MLS matches. They’ve allowed just one goal from open play in the first half this season. Excluding the loss at LAFC, the Revolution have allowed four goals in their other eight matches. New England are undefeated at home so far this year at 4-0-1, and are 22-18-5 overall in the U.S. Open Cup, including a 14-5-3 mark at home.
Revolution Sporting Director and Head Coach Bruce Arena coached Tab Ramos on the United States Men’s National Team from 1998-2000. Also, Ramos and Revolution assistant coach Richie Williams were teammates on the U.S. Men’s National Team from 1998-2000 and at the club level with NY/NJ MetroStars in 2001.
INJURY REPORT
Hartford Athletic
Out: Kembo Kibato (Foot), Elvis Amoh (Thigh)
New England Revolution
Out: None
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