PRESENTED BY TRAVELERS
Date: Saturday, September 23rd, 2023
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Location: Trinity Health Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut
Streaming: ESPN Plus or WTNH.com
HARTFORD ATHLETIC (4-21-4) vs TAMPA BAY ROWDIES (16-8-6)
LAST TIME OUT
Hartford Athletic are coming off a 3-0 loss to Detroit City FC last Saturday night on the road. Hartford’s best scoring chance of the game came early in the first half, when Antoine Hoppenot got behind the Detroit defense and forced an acrobatic save from Nathaniel Steinwascher. From there, it was all Detroit. Darío Suárez scored off a rebound in the 24th minute, then Michael Bryant on a well-executed set piece in the 31st. The home side provided the final blow with a goal from Matt Lewis on a corner kick early in the second half.
MATCHUP HISTORY
Hartford and Tampa Bay have matched up nine times, with the Rowdies holding the upper hand in the series (6-2-1). Hartford came away with a 1-1 tie at Al Lang Stadium last season, but dropped the second matchup at home 3-2. Leo Fernandes scored the game winner for Tampa Bay in the eighth minute of stoppage time after a poorly played ball from Hartford keeper Yannik Oettl, his second goal of the game. This year, Hartford dropped the first matchup on the road just weeks ago 2-1.
FAMILIAR FACE
Ariel Martínez returns to Hartford for the first time since his departure from the club at the end of the 2022 season. With a team-leading nine goals last year, the 36 year old Cuban striker was a well valued asset during his time in Green and Blue. Martínez burned his former club earlier this month when Tampa Bay hosted Hartford on September 2nd. He recorded the game winning goal, scoring in the 90th minute to secure the Rowdies 2-1 victory.
HOPPENOT OUT
Antoine Hoppenot picked up his eighth yellow card of the season against Detroit last week, resulting in a one game suspension. It’s a heavy loss for Hartford, as Hoppenot has been one of their best generators of offense in their attack this season. He’s got three goals and three assists on the year, along with 21 chances created. He is consistently providing energy for Hartford in the attacking third, and has booted the second most crosses on the team with 53. Hartford are second in the league in total yellow cards with 86, but Hoppenot is the first player on the team to reach eight and be suspended.
ABOUT THE OPPONENT
With an overall record of 16-8-6, the Rowdies have officially secured a playoff position as they sit in third in the eastern conference standings. Tampa Bay has been an offensive powerhouse this season. With 54 goals in 30 matches, the Rowdies are second in the entire league for goals scored. In their last matchup, Tampa Bay faced Memphis 901 FC and lost the contest 4-2. The Tampa Bay Rowdies are coached by Nicky Law and assisted by Eric Wilde and Stuart Dobson.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Hartford Athletic: Matt Sheldon, DF #16
Matt Sheldon has appeared in 26 matches for Athletic this season and has been a bright spot on Hartford’s back line. He finds himself in the top of the team for several categories such as clears, blocks, interceptions, and tackles. He has also shown tremendous discipline as a defender, only conceding two yellow cards in all appearances. At times this year, he has been one of the best players on the field for Hartford, including a Team of the Week selection in Week 4, and is due for a quality finish to the season.
Tampa Bay Rowdies: Cal Jennings, MF #26
Leading Tampa Bay’s elite attacking play this year has been midfielder Cal Jennings. The Atlanta native leads his team and is second in the league for goals scored with 16 in 30 appearances this season. Jennings was also recently named USL Championship player of the week for week 27 after notching three goals across two matches. Most recently, Jennings was able to score a brace against Memphis 901 FC, again showing how crucial he is to the attacking play of Tampa Bay.
INJURY REPORT
Hartford Athletic
Out: None
Tampa Bay Rowdies
Out: None
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
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