PRESENTED BY TRAVELERS
Date: Saturday, March 9th, 2024
Time: 9:00 PM ET
Location: Southwest University Park, El Paso, Texas
Streaming: MyTV9, WTNH.com, or ESPN+
HARTFORD ATHLETIC (0-0-0) at EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC (0-0-0)
Hartford Athletic open their 2024 season tomorrow night in El Paso against Locomotive FC.
THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB
Hartford Athletic named Brendan Burke their Head Coach and General Manager this offseason in December. As the sixth Head Coach for a young club searching for consistency, Burke stands out from the other five coaches in Club history. He has the most proven success at the professional level and most importantly, in the USL Championship. He’s coached five seasons in the league, and led Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC to a 30-23-13 record over two seasons in his most recent Championship stint. His run with the Switchbacks included a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2022. The only other coach to win a USL Championship playoff game prior to taking the reins in Hartford was Jimmy Nielsen (hired in 2019).
PRESEASON RECAP
Hartford Athletic played a healthy preseason slate of five matches, two of which were against MLS opponents: They lost 1-0 to the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena, tied the Colorado Rapids 2-2 in Florida, beat the Tarheels of UNC in two abbreviated scrimmages at Chapel Hill (both 2-1 victories), beat the New York Red Bulls II 6-2 at home, and tied Philadelphia Union II 3-3 at home.
Coach Burke shared his thoughts on the preseason and his expectations for match one earlier this week: “The shape is going to have to evolve over the first three to five games. We had a lot of preseason games by design so we can iron things out, but real games are always played at a different pace and intensity. We have a lot of attacking talent and we have a good group in terms of chemistry. The communication level could come up a little bit, but the understanding, these guys have never played together, there is some positional understanding that only comes with three to five games.”
Midfielder Jay Chapman said: “People are going to see a lot of pace. We’re going to play fast and aggressive and there’s going to be a lot of goals. We’re going to fight really hard. We run a lot, so we’re going to be a fit team. You’re going to see a team that is constantly trying to get at teams, constantly threatening the goal. It’s going to be a really exciting brand of football.”
REVAMPED ROSTER – ATTACK/MIDFIELD
On the attacking side, Hartford brought in Michee Ngalina (2022 USL Championship Young Player of the Year), Romario Williams (15 goals last year), Enoch Mushagalusa, and Marcus Epps, who have scored a combined 150 professional goals. Senegalese striker Mamadou Dieng (19 years old) made an impression this offseason by scoring against MLS side Colorado Rapids in a preseason match as well. MLS-experienced Jay Chapman and Marlon Hairston were added to the midfield, along with Anderson Asiedu. Academy signing Ian Shaul joins the team after impressive years with Portland Timbers 2, and Emmanuel Samadia (Sierra Leone) will make his American soccer debut with his first appearance this year.
REVAMPED ROSTER – DEFENSE
Burke and his staff have had a busy offseason, revamping Hartford’s roster with 24 new signings (just four returners). Joe Farrell and Jordan Scarlett have both been to USL Championship Final matches as starters, and Thomas Vancaeyezeele (2nd Team All-League 2019, 1st Team All-League 2020) is primed to make a successful return to the USL Championship after a brief stint overseas. Rece Buckmaster has been consistently reliable in the back through his five year career so far (over 100 appearances in Championship), and Joey Akpunonu adds a physical presence to Hartford’s back line options.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Hartford Athletic have opened all five of their season-opening matches on the road, posting a 2-3 record. They have not won an opening match since 2021.
MATCHUP HISTORY
Hartford and El Paso have matched up just twice before. They played to a 1-1 tie at Southwest University Park in June of 2022, and El Paso bested Hartford 2-0 at Trinity Health Stadium last August. The three total goals across both games were scored by members of Locomotive FC who remain on the team today: Diego Abarca, Aaron Gómez, and Petar Petrovic.
ABOUT THE OPPONENT
El Paso were .500 last year, with a 13-13-8 record. They ranked seventh in the western conference, earning them a playoff berth, losing to second ranked Orange County SC 1-0. However, they were the only playoff team with a double digit negative goal differential. Their offense was not their strong suit, which is why new head coach Brian Clarhaut signed on forwards Amando Moreno and Joaquin Rivas. The two players had 10 goals each last season, which completely revamps their attack. El Paso Locomotive staff rounds out with assistants Jon Burklo, Ray Saari, and Gianluca Massuci.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Hartford Athletic: Michee Ngalina, FW #11
Ngalina was Hartford’s biggest signing of the offseason, making his return to the USL Championship and reuniting with Brendan Burke after playing his best professional season under him in 2022 (34 starts, 12 goals, eight assists). The 23 year old winger has fantastic pace on the ball, great vision in the attacking third, and top-class finishing ability. Paired with forwards Romario Williams, Deshane Beckford, Enoch Mushagalusa, and others, Ngalina will be looked at to be Hartford’s offensive engine tomorrow night and throughout the 2024 season.
El Paso Locomotive: Amando Moreno FW, #10
Amando Moreno was one of El Paso’s highest profile signings of the offseason, joining the club after his best professional season with New Mexico United. He compiled a team leading 10 goals with five assists all after rehabbing an ACL injury for most of 2022, and while led New Mexico to a playoff berth. He totaled 24 goals and 11 assists over four seasons with New Mexico, and has played 115 total USL Championship matches. The 28 year old has 13 caps with the El Salvador National Team as well.
INJURY REPORT
Hartford Athletic
Out: Renan Ribeiro(quad), Pele Ousmanou (quad), Jordan Scarlett (quad), Marlon Hairston (calf)
El Paso
Out: Luis Moreno (head), Petar Petrovic (leg), Joaquin Rivas (back)
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
For live updates, follow along on twitter using the hashtag #ELPvHFD
