PRESENTED BY TRAVELERS
Date: Saturday, June 17th, 2023
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Location: Trinity Health Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut
Tickets: HERE
Hartford Athletic are back at home for a to wrap up a two-match week against Charleston Battery.
LAST TIME OUT
Hartford Athletic are coming off a 3-1 loss to Detroit City FC at home this past Wednesday. The Green and Blue fell behind 1-0 in the 24th minute, conceding a goal from Ben Morris after Detroit connected on a few passes that led him into Hartford’s box. They nearly fell down two goals when Detroit was given a penalty kick 10 minutes later, but Joe Rice made a brilliant diving save to deny Maxi Rodriguez. Two minutes after the save, Hartford marched down the field and Antoine Hoppenot tallied his first goal of the season, blasting a shot into the net after the ball fell to his feet in the box. Despite the momentum swinging to Hartford, Detroit quickly gained the lead back before the half, scoring in the 43rd minute. The visitors kept their foot on the gas early in the second half, scoring in the 59th minute. Rhys Williams made an excellent run up the left flank and found Ben Morris in the box for the tap in, making it 3-1. The score would stay the same the rest of the way.
THE FIRST MEETING
Hartford Athletic saw a 3-2 loss at Charleston in the first meeting between the two clubs this year, losing the game in its final seconds. Hartford got out to a 1-0 lead with a goal from Prince Saydee, but eventually fell down 2-1 early in the second half. Conor McGlynn responded for Hartford in the 60th minute, tying the game at 2-2. The Green and Blue were up a man from the 76th minute on, as a second yellow and subsequent red card was dealt to Charleston’s Dante Polvara. In the final minute of stoppage time, Charleston were granted a free kick from just inside the sideline in Hartford’s third. Arturo Rodríguez curled the ball into the traffic in the box from about 30 yards out, it took a bounce off the wet grass, and slipped by Richard Sánchez for the game winning goal. The ball went untouched into the net directly off of Rodríguez’s foot.
RITO SAYS HELLO
Edgardo Rito made his first start for Hartford on Wednesday, and made a top-class first impression on the Green and Blue faithful. He was Hartford’s offensive engine, taking control over the right flank and making some dazzling runs to get Hartford into the Detroit third. He showed artistry over the ball while attacking, dangling the ball between defenders and getting himself loose to distribute in Detroit’s box. A bright spot on a tough night for Hartford, Rito created two chances, fired eight crosses, and posted a 78.9% passing accuracy on 19 passes in the final third. Post game, Coach Ramos said, “I thought Rito really showed the class player he is, and we’re very luck to have him.”
FAMILIAR FACE
Charleston defender Derek Dodson played for Hartford Athletic on loan from Orlando City SC in 2021. Listed as a forward at the time, he scored five goals and three assists across 22 matches.
ABOUT THE OPPONENT
Charleston Battery hold a 7-4-4 record, placing them second in the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference table. After getting off to a hot start at 7-2-3, the club has slowed down in June, not yet finding the back of the net in three matches. Prior to June, Charleston had only been shut out twice this season. The Battery defeated Athletic in Charleston earlier this season, hammering in a free kick in stoppage time to claim the 3-2 victory.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Hartford Athletic, Juan Pablo Torres, MF #8
Juan Pablo Torres has started in all eight matches since he came to Hartford in mid-April. Since his arrival, he has been a staple in Hartford’s midfield. Across 697 minutes, he has completed almost 90% of his passes and been key in connecting passing from the backline into opposing territory. The 23-year-old is coming off of an impressive season with Rio Grande Valley FC Toros with three goals and recorded three assists.
Charleston Battery, Nicholas Markanich, FW #13
Nicholas Markanich has scored three times in 12 appearances for The Battery. Markanich will try to find the back of the net for the first time since April 15th as Augustine Williams, the club’s leading goal-scorer, is serving international duty with the Sierra Leone national team. The 23-year-old scored in his last match against Hartford, an equalizer in the 35th minute that Charleston would go on to win.
INJURY REPORT
Hartford Athletic
Out: Kembo Kibato (foot)
Questionable: Beverly Makangila (ankle)
Charleston
None
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