HAMTRAMCK, Mich. – In the opening round of the United Soccer League Championship playoffs on Friday night, sixth-seeded Hartford Athletic took down third-seeded Detroit City FC by a 2-1 score thanks to a brace from Sadat Anaku and a seven-save performance in goal from Antony Siaha, helping mark the side’s first-ever postseason win in club history.
Detroit City FC sees their season come to a close while Hartford advances to the conference’s semifinal round, taking place next Saturday, November 7th.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The two teams juked it out in the early going, leading to a red card given to Detroit City FC’s Kobe Hernández-Foster in the 19th minute. The two sides traded chances on either side, both being saved, with Jordan Scarlett getting the try for Hartford in the 30th minute.
- In the 33rd minute, Athletic broke the scoreless tie as Anaku cradled the ball from midfield to just in front of the goal mounts, firing the rock off of the post to mark a 1-0 score. Anaku’s tally marked Hartford’s first-ever goal in USL Championship playoff history.
- Detroit City FC found the tying score late in the first half as a blocked shot landed at the feet of Devon Amoo-Mensah, who rocked the ball past Hartford’s defense and into the goal to knot the score going into the break.
- Detroit City FC opened the second half with two chances from Darren Smith that were both swallowed up by Siaha.
- Hartford responded with a strike in the 75th minute off the foot of Anaku, who ricochetted the ball off himself into the goal from the lower box to give Athletic the 2-1 edge.
- The hosts had a flurry of chances in the late going, including an attempt that hit woodwork in the 89th minute, however, couldn’t find the back of the net. Hartford held on for a 2-1 win, thanks largely in part to seven saves in goal by Siaha.
SERIES NOTES
- Tonight marked the 11th all-time meeting between the two sides.
NEXT UP
- Hartford travels to Charleston Battery for the Eastern Conference semifinal round, kicking off on Saturday, November 7th at 7:30 p.m.
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