Home

Hartford Athletic is excited to announce the first two signings to its inaugural USL W League team. Juliana Garcia and Taylor Jenkins, both current Division 1 players, will be joining Head Coach Danny Barrera and the Hartford Athletic Women this summer. 

Juliana Garcia is a junior at Northeastern University, where she has had a successful career playing Division 1 soccer with the Huskies (Class of 2027). Over three years with the team, Garcia has made 31 appearances and scored one goal. 

Prior to Northeastern, the New Haven, CT native attended Sacred Heart Academy, where she was a member of the girls team for two years. In her first year on the squad, the Sharks won the Class M tournament championship and Garcia was named tournament MVP. Additionally, she was named to the All-Conference, All-Area and All-State teams both years she was on the team. The forward/midfielder was also a member of the Oakwood Soccer Club for six years, winning the U17 Girls’ Academy National Championship in 2022. 

Garcia brings proven leadership and hard work to the Hartford Athletic Women’s Team, traits that will be crucial as Head Coach Danny Barrera works to build a championship squad. 

Taylor Jenkins is a college sophomore who recently transferred to University of Southern California after two successful seasons with the University of Connecticut. She will be finishing out her sophomore year and preparing for the fall 2026 season with the Trojans (Class of 2028). 

As a freshman at UCONN, the Milford, CT native made 13 appearances, with three starts, and netted one goal. The 2025 season saw Jenkins start all 18 games that the Huskies played and finish third on the team for minutes with 1,478. The sophomore midfielder added two goals – both of which were game-winners – to help power her team to the Big East Tournament semifinal and the second round of the NCAA tournament. Additionally, Jenkins was selected to the Third Team All-Big East and the United Coaches Fourth Team All-East Region. 

Jenkins also had an extremely successful high school career with St. Joseph’s, including being named to the All-American team and invited to the All-American game in 2023, the year St. Joseph’s won the CIAC Class LL Championship. She was named tournament MVP, as well as being selected for the First team FCIAC and earning All-State and All-New England honors. At the club level, Jenkins played for World Class FC, earning ECNL New England Conference Player of the Year, First Team ECNL New England Conference and ECNL All-American honors.

Jenkins has shown herself to be a solid and reliable midfielder, who can make crucial offensive plays in clutch moments. We are very excited to see what she can bring to the Hartford Athletic Women’s Team this summer. 

With substantial collegiate experience under their belts, Jenkins and Garcia will be vital in fostering the championship environment that Barrera is aiming to create within his women’s team. 

Further player signings, along with schedule information and more, will be announced soon so make sure to keep tabs on the Hartford Athletic Women’s Team socials and website. Season tickets are on sale now, so make sure to get yours and be a part of this historic season.

As Hartford Athletic reflects on a successful 2025 season and looks ahead to an even better 2026, the club is excited to announce the signing of proven, high-impact defender Matt Real, pending league and federation approval.  

Known for his strong physical presence, excellent decision making and ability to maintain possession in transition, Real’s playing style will easily fit in with Hartford Athletic’s on-field identity and system of play. 

Hartford Athletic Head Coach and General Manager Brendan Burke expressed his enthusiasm. “Matt is a player that I had the pleasure of working with at the academy level, and as he became a young professional player in Philadelphia. Since that time, he has accomplished a lot in MLS and USL. I look forward to working with him again chasing trophies together in Hartford.” 

The Drexel Hills, PA native began his professional career in 2017 when he signed with Bethlehem Steel (now Philadelphia Union II). A year later, he signed a homegrown contract with Bethlehem’s parent company, Philadelphia Union. Real spent the next five and a half years playing with both Philly Union and Steel/Union II, making over 130 appearances and providing eight goals and six assists.  

Halfway through 2024, the 6’0” left back joined the Colorado Springs Switchbacks on loan, impressing the coaches enough to earn a permanent transfer at the beginning of the 2025 season.  

Over the course of the year, Real made 22 appearances with 14 starts and logged 1,406 minutes. He added one goal and one assist, to help power his team to the Western Conference playoffs and secure the USL Championship title. Additionally, Real provided 11 key passes, 46 crosses (enough for second on the team), 31 clearances, and 10 interceptions. He also won 27 of 41 tackles (also enough for second on the team), 76 of 138 duels and 19 of 36 aerial duels.  

On the international level, the 26-year-old has 22 total caps with the US Youth National Teams. Most notably, he captained the USA to its second-straight Concacaf U-20 Championship Title in 2018. During the tournament, he played the full 90 minutes in five matches, including the World Cup-clinching game against Costa Rica and the final against Mexico. 

Real brings championship experience, composure and tenacity to an already talented Hartford backline.  

After two incredibly successful seasons in the Green & Blue and 10 memorable years in the USL, Hartford Athletic would like to thank Joe Farrell for his contributions to the club, the league and the sport in general.  

The 31-year-old veteran has been a mainstay in the squad’s backline, making countless crucial blocks, tackles and clearances to protect his team’s goal. Additionally, Farrell’s leadership on and off the field has been pivotal in bringing the Boys in Green together to achieve greatness. He has been a role model for younger players and fans alike.  

In his first season with the Green & Blue, the 6’2” center back made an immediate impact, playing in 29 games and starting 27 of them, logging 2,417 minutes (enough for second on the team). By the end of 2024, Farrell led the team in clearances (134), blocks (36) and interceptions (31). 

This year was no different, as the Blue Bell, PA native made 25 appearances with 22 starts. Once again, Farrell led the team in clearances (168) and blocks (26), while also contributing 15 interceptions and winning 109 out of 198 duels and 73 out of 132 aerial duels.  

He also played a key role in Hartford’s quest for USL Jägermeister Cup success. Over six appearances and five starts, Farrell added one goal and one assist to power his side to the final. First, he set up TJ Presthus’ opening goal in Athletic’s 2-2 draw against Rhode Island FC in the last match of the group stage. Farrell then went on to bury his penalty kick in the ensuing PK shootout, helping to secure the points necessary for Hartford to advance to the knockout rounds. Facing Greenville Triumph in the semifinal of the tournament, he scored the opening goal of a 3-1 defeat to advance his team to the title match.  

Prior to Hartford Athletic, Farrell had a long and successful career in the USL Championship, with stints at the Rochester Rhinos, Phoenix Rising and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. He has played over 250 games and logged almost 20,000 minutes. Over his career, Farrell has made 16 playoff appearances, including helping to lead Phoenix Rising to the Western Conference Championship in 2018 and 2020.  

Farrell leaves behind a legacy of “Dream Crazy,” a phrase he always wore on his undershirt as a tribute to his sister-in-law, Gretta. As a teacher and field hockey coach in inner-city Philadelphia, Gretta resonated with Nike and Serena Williams’ Dream Crazier campaign. She aimed to lift up the next generation of children, and athletes, with her actions. Unfortunately, Gretta passed away from metastatic breast cancer in June of this year.  

By wearing “Dream Crazy” under his jersey for every game – an action that speaks louder than his stat sheet – Farrell has carried on the memory of Gretta and, at the same time, created a mantra that Hartford Athletic players, fans and staff have latched on to as a perfect description of the club and its success this year. This mindset, more than anything, is the legacy that Farrell has left behind.  

While the club is sad to see him go, we wish Joe the best of luck in his retirement!

Thanks to the support of the City, State, fans, and our partners, Hartford Athletic continued to deliver on its mission to make our community the best place to live, work, and play in 2025. The club continues to expand on an already robust lineup of impactful community programming with a number of exciting new activations. Here are some highlights from this year’s historic season. 

Green & Blue Foundation

Hartford Athletic launched the Green & Blue Foundation, a 501c3 which strives to enhance the quality of life for youth and disadvantaged people in Connecticut, in 2020. Since then, the Foundation has focused on making a difference for communities in need, in support of five key community pillars: Health and Wellness, Diversity and Inclusion, Youth and Family Education, Economic Development, and Veterans and First Responder support. 

Community Ticket Program

The Hartford Athletic Community Ticket Program, presented by Liberty Bank, provides tickets through the Green & Blue Foundation to fans who might not otherwise be able to attend a match, creating a lasting memory and a connection to professional soccer. Thanks to the generosity of Liberty Bank, more than 15,600 tickets were donated to over 15 local organizations, including VetTix, Boys and Girls Club, Hartford Public Schools, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and DCF (Department of Children and Families).

Summer Reading Sundays

Throughout the summer, the Green & Blue Foundation partnered with Hartford Public Schools and Hartford Public Library to host Sundays at the Stadium presented by M&T Bank and supported by The Hartford. Each session began with story time led by Hartford Public Library librarians, supported by volunteers from Liberty Bank. Following the reading sessions, Hartford Athletic coaches hosted interactive soccer clinics to encourage healthy, active lifestyles. The program reinforced the connection between literacy, physical activity, and community engagement while providing families with unique access to Trinity Health Stadium and creating memorable summer experiences for Hartford residents.

Camp Day

Hartford Athletic and the Green & Blue Foundation hosted Camp Day in July 2025, welcoming over 3,000 campers from across the region to Trinity Health Stadium for an afternoon of soccer, learning, and fun. CT Children’s Hospital served as the presenting partner, demonstrating their commitment to youth health and wellness. Campers enjoyed a day filled with interactive STEM, health, and wellness activities around the concourse followed by an exhibition game featuring Hartford Athletic players.

Fill the Cup for Jamaica

After bringing home Hartford Athletic’s first ever trophy, the club – led by Captain Jordan Scarlett – sought to channel their championship momentum into community action. In response to the devastating Category 5 hurricane that hit Jordan’s native Jamaica, Hartford Athletic through the Green & Blue Foundation spearheaded a community-wide relief drive to collect emergency supplies and non-perishable food for the island nation. 

STEM and Soccer Education Day

In May of this year, Hartford Athletic hosted its fourth annual STEM and Soccer Education Day, presented by CGI. A record 5,000 students from 50 schools came out to Trinity Health Stadium to experience a day full of exciting interactive STEM workstations and displays, along with a Hartford Athletic exhibition match. The Green & Blue Foundation, with support from our corporate partners, covered the cost for thousands of student tickets and 20 buses, ensuring all schools could participate regardless of financial constraints.

Hartford Athletic Youth Academy

The Hartford Athletic Youth Academy was started in 2024 and now has over 600 young athletes competing on over 35 teams. The Green & Blue Foundation expanded its support of the Hartford Athletic Youth Academy in 2025, ensuring that no talented young player is turned away due to financial constraints. The Foundation’s “Soccer for All” initiative provides flexible financial support covering everything from program fees to uniforms and equipment. The Green & Blue Foundation directly covers 25% of all Youth Academy tuition, making elite training accessible to families across the region.

Hartford Athletic W League Team 

Hartford Athletic announced its entry into the USL W League for the summer 2026 season, with club legend Danny Barrera named as head coach. The W League is the nation’s premier pre-professional women’s league, providing a pipeline between elite youth clubs, collegiate teams, and the professional arena. All matches take place in the summer (May through July), allowing collegiate players to maintain their NCAA eligibility. This expansion represents Hartford Athletic’s continued commitment to advancing women’s soccer development in Connecticut and providing visible role models for young female athletes across the region. The W League team is proudly supported and uplifted by the Green & Blue Foundation, which will help remove financial barriers for players by assisting with registration fees, uniform costs, player stipends, and travel for away matches, ensuring every athlete has the opportunity to compete and grow in the game.

Corporate Partnerships

Thanks to the support of Hartford Athletic’s wonderful partners, the club has been able to host several crucial initiatives throughout 2025. From safe driving to stroke awareness, the club and its partners have sought to uphold the Green & Blue Foundation’s principle of Youth and Family Education, while also providing a fun-filled family-friendly activity for local residents.

Safe Driving Initiatives

Hartford Athletic partnered with the Connecticut Department of Transportation, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.), Hartford Police Department, and Corona Auto Body to promote safe driving throughout the season, including displays showing the real-world consequences of distracted and impaired driving. The club hosted Safe Driving Night presented by CTDOT on May 10th, along with Touch a Truck presented by CT Work Zone Safety on August 6th. 

Veteran and Military Appreciation Night, pres. by Travelers

Falling under the Green & Blue Foundation’s community pillar of supporting veterans and first responders, Hartford Athletic and Travelers were proud to present Veteran and Military Appreciation Night on May 17th. To honor the brave men and women who serve our country – past and present – veterans and active military performed the National Anthem and presented the colors, representing the red, white, and blue with pride. 

Community Health & First Responder Night, pres. by Trinity Health of New England

On June 6th, Trinity Health of New England continued their multi-year commitment to Community Health Night, bringing hospital specialty groups including Sports Medicine, Primary Care, and Behavioral Health to engage directly with fans through educational displays and activities throughout the concourse. Hartford Athletic and Trinity Health are proud to honor the heroes that keep us safe, while also promoting health and wellbeing for all. 

Grow the Trades Night, pres. by DEWALT/Stanley Black & Decker

DEWALT, along with Stanley Black & Decker, joined Hartford Athletic for Grow the Trades Night on July 30th. The event aimed to celebrate the backbone of our community, while allowing fans to learn about career opportunities in the trades. Several trade organizations from around the state offered informational sessions, interactive displays and live demonstrations to showcase different exciting technological advancements in the trades. Representatives from Makerspace CT delivered the official match ball, and Stanley Black & Decker/DEWALT gave away a full DEWALT toolkit to a lucky fan. The night was all about supporting local, building the future, and enjoying an evening of soccer. 

Stroke Awareness Night, pres. by Trinity Health of New England

Hartford Athletic hosted its fourth annual Stroke Awareness Night on August 16th, welcoming Trinity Health’s Stroke team to educate fans on identifying signs and symptoms of stroke. The club recognized stroke survivors and their families with an on-field ceremony, combining awareness with community celebration.

Match For A Cause, pres. by Liberty Bank

Hartford Athletic and Liberty Bank collaborated for Match for a Cause on October 11, 2025, with this year’s beneficiary being the American Cancer Society, a leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision to end cancer for everyone. This match coincided with the homecoming celebration of the USL Jägermeister Cup, creating a powerful combination of championship celebration and community giving. The club auctioned off uniquely-designed American Cancer Society-themed autographed and match-worn jerseys, with all proceeds benefiting the American Cancer Society. The online auction, along with Liberty Bank’s donation, raised a record-breaking $27,035, the most ever in Match for a Cause’s seven-year history.

​​Also this year, Hartford Athletic announced its brand-new Kit for a Cause campaign, an initiative that further allows the club to support local charity organizations by donating proceeds from sales of a specially-designed goalkeeper jersey to that year’s benefactor. The inaugural 2025 Keeper Kit for a Cause is called the Kick Out Cancer Kit, created in partnership with the American Cancer Society through their Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Movement. A portion of all proceeds from the sales of Antony Siaha’s signature bright pink jersey was donated to ACS, to help fund cancer research. 

Junior Fire Marshall Program, pres. by The Hartford

The Hartford and Hartford Athletic teamed up for the seventh consecutive year to help educate young fans through the Junior Fire Marshal Program, which makes life-saving lessons about fire safety fun and engaging for kids and families. Throughout the season, one lucky young fan at every home game was also chosen to participate in The Hartford’s Junior Fire Marshal Halftime Challenge. On June 28th, the seventh annual Junior Fire Marshal Night was hosted at Trinity Health Stadium. The first 1,000 children in attendance received a free Junior Fire Marshal Helmet. Prior to the game, a select group of children joined members of the Hartford Fire Department on-field to take the fire-safety pledge and become deputized as official Junior Fire Marshals.

Goals for Meals, pres. by Nuovo Pasta

For the fifth year in a row, Hartford Athletic teamed up with Nuovo Pasta to participate in the Goals for Meals program. For every Hartford Athletic goal scored throughout the season, our partner company made meal donations to help fight against food insecurity in the Hartford community. This year, over 1,000 meals were donated to Connecticut Foodshare, the regional food bank serving Hartford and Tolland Counties. This program directly addresses food insecurity in the Hartford community while celebrating on-field success.

Hartford Athletic Hiring Expo

Supported by the Connecticut Department of Labor, the Connecticut Department of Transportation, Eversource, Global Atlantic Financial Group, the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling, Stanley Black & Decker, USA Waste & Recycling, and Right at Home, Hartford Athletic hosted its fifth annual Hiring Expo on September 10. The day brought together over 1,000 job seekers and more than 75 employers, while also offering resume and interview preparation services to prospective candidates and complimentary tickets to that evening’s Hartford Athletic match to all in attendance. 

Community

As Hartford Athletic strives to make Connecticut the best place to live, work, and play, the club is constantly looking for ways to extend its reach into the community and make a positive impact on the greater Hartford area. 

After bringing home the city of Hartford’s first trophy in 25 years, Hartford Athletic wanted to share the momentous moment with fans, partners and local residents. The club launched a trophy tour at the end of the October with the goal of bringing the USL Jägermeister Cup straight to Hartford’s supporters. So far, the Cup has visited staff and patients at St. Francis Hospital, the historic Mark Twain House, our friends at Travelers, and Connectituct’s beautiful Gillette Castle State Park with CT DEEP. Keep an eye out as the trophy tour continues!

Throughout the 2025 season, the Hartford Athletic front office staff and players were proud to go out into the community for “Clean Up Days,” aiming to give back to the city that gives so much to us. This year’s Clean Up Days took place at Colt Park, next to our stadium, and the riverfront of the Connecticut River. Thanks to 4G Recycling and M&T Bank for helping to make these important events happen. 

As the club looks to reinforce its commitment to establish Trinity Health Stadium as a versatile community hub, Hartford’s home field has been the site of countless events throughout the 2025 season. Most recently, the CIAC Boys and Girls Championship games were held at Trinity Health Stadium for the sixth year in a row. After a season of hard work, 16 high school teams got the chance to fight for the state title in a professional stadium environment, including game commentary from Hartford Athletic’s very own PA announcer. For many, this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience they will never forget. 

On the topic of our stadium, this year marked the launch of Mission Inclusivity, a comprehensive accessibility program focused on ensuring that all fans, regardless of physical ability, can enjoy the full Hartford Athletic experience. The initiative includes enhanced ADA seating accommodations, specialized services, and partnerships with accessibility technology providers to create an inclusive environment at Trinity Health Stadium.

Also helping to bring Hartford Athletic’s impact further into the community, Dillon, the club mascot, attended over 100 community events, festivals, soccer clinics, fundraisers, elementary schools, hospitals, and sporting events. Dillon served as a visible ambassador for Hartford Athletic, entertaining thousands of children and adults while strengthening the club’s connection to the broader community.

Hartford Athletic remains committed to making a lasting impact in our community through the power of soccer. As we close out a successful year of initiatives, partnerships and success on the pitch, we’re excited to build on this momentum in 2026. Stay tuned for more news and updates on how we’ll continue to support and engage with the Hartford community in the year ahead.

Hartford, CT – November 14th, 2025 – Hartford Athletic Head Coach and General Manager Brendan Burke has been announced as finalist for the USL Championship Coach of the Year. Former Hartford Athletic striker Mamadou Dieng has also been announced as a finalist for USL Championship Young Player of the Year.

In late July of this year, forward Mamadou Dieng became the club’s All-Time Leading Goalscorer, across all competitions. He continued to score prolifically, ending his Hartford Athletic career with 23 all-time goals before being transferred to Minnesota United of the MLS for the largest transfer fee in program history.

Dieng was also nominated for USL Championship Player of the Month, recognizing his exceptional play through July. During that period, Dieng delivered a standout performance, including multiple goals, key assists, and consistent dominance up front.

With Coach Burke at the helm, the Boys in Green brought home Hartford Athletic’s first trophy ever and the City of Hartford’s first piece of hardware in 25 years. Battling tough road games, national team duty and injuries, the Green & Blue fought their way to the final of the USL Jägermeister Cup, where they defeated Sacramento Republic FC 1-0 on a Samuel Careaga goal.

Head Coach Brendan Burke also got his fair share of nominations, earning a spot on the TOWT three times throughout the 2025 season. In August, Burke was named Coach of the Month after going undefeated across seven matches and clinching a spot in the semifinals of the Jägermeister Cup in that month alone.

Overall, Head Coach Brendan Burke and his 2025 squad tied the club record for most points in a single season with 44. The Boys in Green also set an all-time best for wins (13) and road wins (7) this year. With this regular season success, Athletic finished in fifth place in the Eastern Conference and clinched a spot in the playoffs for just the second time ever, earning Burke the Coach of the Year nomination.

Hartford, CT – Born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Hartford Athletic Captain Jordan Scarlett has personally felt the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, the Category 5 storm that tore through his island home at the end of October. As the strongest hurricane to ever hit Jamaica, Melissa left communities struggling to recover. Countless homes were destroyed, and families are still without food, water, or basic supplies.

In response, Jordan is spearheading a community-wide relief drive to collect emergency supplies and non-perishable food for his native Jamaica.

The campaign, called Fill the Cup as a nod to the team’s recently-won Jägermeister Cup trophy, aims to channel Jordan’s – and all of Hartford Athletic’s – championship momentum into community action. The club, through the Green & Blue Foundation, hopes to mobilize fans, partners and the greater Hartford community to provide critical supplies for victims of Hurricane Melissa.

The government of Jamaica has requested donations of flashlights and batteries, bedding (blankets, sheets, pillows), chainsaws and hand tools, non-perishable food items, bottled water, hygiene products (soap, toothpaste, feminine products), first aid supplies, baby formula and diapers, cleaning supplies and tarps or plastic sheeting.

Starting November 12, donations can be dropped off at the Hartford Athletic office (1010 Day Hill Road, Windsor) on Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm or at Trinity Health Stadium (250 Huyshope Ave, Hartford) on Monday 11/17, Thursday 11/13 & 11/20 from 5:30pm – 8pm or Saturday 11/15 and Sunday 11/16 from 8:30am – 9pm.

At the end of November, Jordan will personally stop by both sites to pick up all the supplies that fans and the Hartford community contributed, before organizing them and sending the donations to the families and communities in Jamaica that need them.

Fans can also contribute to a good cause by donating to the Green and Blue Foundation, helping continue the club’s expansion of initiatives like the community ticket program and Summer Reading Sunday. Click HERE to see how you can help.

Hartford Athletic fell to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 4-2 on penalty kicks after battling the Pennsylvania side to a 0-0 draw over 120+ minutes of play. The Green & Blue defended valiantly through two overtime periods but were unlucky when it came to a penalty kick shootout. 

The Boys in Green started off strong, testing goalkeeper Eric Dick twice in the first two minutes. In fact, Samuel Careaga found the back of the net less than 90 seconds into the match, but the attempt was ruled offside. 

A few minutes later, Michee Ngalina was brought down by Luke Biasi as he streaked toward goal. The referee awarded Biasi a yellow card and Hartford was granted a free kick. Sebastian Anderson played the ball short to Careaga who passed it on to Emmanuel Samadia. Hartford’s “cross boss” put the ball into the box, but no one was able to get on the end of it. 

Around the half hour mark, Antony Siaha made a crucial save to keep Athletic within striking distance. Pittsburgh was awarded a free kick and Robbie Mertz took the set piece, serving a beautiful outswinger into the box. Beto Ydrach got his head on the end of it and the ball was headed for the bottom right post, but Siaha stretched out his 6’5” frame to block the shot and keep the home team scoreless. 

HUGE SAVE 🧤#USLPlayoffs | #HFDvPIT pic.twitter.com/VBwAZzhf3g

— x – Hartford Athletic (@hfdathletic) November 1, 2025

The first half was a battle for the midfield, with neither team creating many dangerous chances, and the two sides went into the locker room with an xG of 0.29 for Pittsburgh and 0.17 for Hartford. 

The second stanza continued much in the same fashion, with Hartford defending as a team to keep the Riverhounds off the scoreboard. 

In added time, TJ Presthus made a clutch diving block to deny Pittsburgh and ensure the game went into overtime. 

TJ WITH THE HEROICS 😱#USLPlayoffs | #HFDvPIT pic.twitter.com/G1v0T12t0M

— x – Hartford Athletic (@hfdathletic) November 2, 2025

Even as the home team pounded the Hartford goal, the Boys in Green held strong, rejecting every opportunity the Riverhounds tried to muster. After 30 minutes of battle, the game went to penalty kicks, where the Green & Blue fell 4-2 in a devastating end to the side’s playoff run. 

This marks the end of the Hartford Athletic season for 2025. Season tickets for 2026 are on sale now. 

FAST STATS

	HARTFORD	PITTSBURGH
Shots	6	11
Shots On Target	3	1
Corners	8	1
Fouls	21	11
Offsides	4	2
Possession	37.1%	62.9%
Passing Accuracy	57.4%	77.3%
Saves	3	3

SCORING SUMMARY

HARTFORD	PITTSBURGH

PENALTY KICKS

HARTFORD	PITTSBURGH
Hadji Barry – ❌	Bertin Jacquessonn – ✅
Joe Farrell – ✅	Robbie Mertz – ✅
Jack Panayotou – ✅	Augustine Williams – ✅
Samuel Careaga – ❌	Sean Suber – ✅

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

HARTFORD	PITTSBURGH
43′ – Beverly Makangila (Yellow)	8′ – Luke Biasi (Yellow)
58′ – Antony Siaha (Yellow)	58′ – Robbie Mertz (Yellow)
90′ – Marlon Hairston (Yellow)
90′ – Bench (Yellow)
90+8′ – Junior Moreira (Yellow)
109′ – Joshua Belluz (Yellow)

LINEUPS

HARTFORD	PITTSBURGH
77 (GK) Antony Siaha	1 (GK) Eric Dick
22 (DF) TJ Presthus	23 (DF) Guillaume Vacter (Illial Osumanu, 88′)
15 (DF) Joe Farrell (C)	5 (DF) Sean Suber
30 (DF) Adrián Diz Pe (Owen Presthus, 80′)	16 (DF) Roberto Ydrach
2 (DF) Sebastian Anderson	8 (MF) Brunallergene Junior Etou
94 (MF) Marlon Hairston (Jack Panayotou, 117′)	15 (MF) Bradley Sample (Bertin Jacquesson, 91′)
10 (MF) Samuel Careaga	2 (MF) Daniel Griffin (C)
6 (MF) Beverly Makangila (Junior Moreira, 46′)	13 (MF) Luke Biasi (Perrin Barnes, 62′)
19 (MF) Emmanuel Samadia	14 (FW) Robbie Mertz
11 (FW) Michee Ngalina (Joshua Belluz, 90+3′)	12 (FW) Charles Ahl (Jackson Wälti, 78′)
71 (FW) Kyle Edwards (Jonathan Jiménez, 60′) (Hadji Barry, 116′)	9 (FW) Augustine Williams

Coming into the last game of the season, Hartford Athletic will be fighting hard for the chance to host a first round playoff game for just the second time in club history. A win would secure the home field advantage for the Green & Blue, while other results would leave it up to fate. The Boys in Green will be facing a Louisville City FC squad that has had a fantastic year, losing only one game all season. But Hartford is in a run of excellent form as well, losing only four out of the last 23 regular season contests.

HARTFORD ATHLETIC vs. LOUISVILLE CITY FC

WHEN: Saturday, October 25th, 7:30 PM 

WHERE: Lynn Family Stadium, Louisville, KY

HOW TO WATCH: MyTV9, WTNH.com, Golazo Network or Hartford Athletic’s Fall Fan Fest

Hartford Hijacks Team of the Week

The Green & Blue had a spectacular showing on the USL Championship Team of the Week (Week 32), with five members earning recognition after defeating Oakland Roots 3-1 on the road and then coming home to beat Sacramento Republic FC 3-2 and clinch a playoff spot. Adrián Diz Pe got the nod after working to keep Oakland to just one goal, logging 17 clearances, 10 duels won, six accurate long balls, five recoveries, three tackles won and three fouls earned. Jack Panayotou secured his spot in the TOTW lineup with two crucial assists to power Hartford’s comeback win over Oakland. Sebastian Anderson also had a fabulous week, scoring the first of Athletic’s three goals in the side’s home win over Sacramento, helping to secure three points and clinch a spot in the playoffs. He also connected 865 of his passes, won six duels, created two big chances and won two fouls during that match. Head Coach Brendan Burke was named Coach of the Week after leading his squad to a six-point week and securing the club’s second postseason appearance ever. Lastly, Joshua Belluz earned his spot on the TOTW bench with a momentum-changing goal against Oakland to level the score at one and start Hartford’s comeback. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hartford Athletic (@hfdathletic)

Report Card Season: How the Green & Blue Stacks Up

As the regular season comes to a close, players and teams will be looking to see how they compare to their rivals, searching for areas of success as well as improvement. The Boys in Green will find that they rank quite well among all players and teams in the league. As a unit, Hartford sits third place for goals scored with 48. Also on the attacking side of the ball, the Boys in Green are ranked second overall for conversion rate (20%). Athletic stacks up well defensively as well, registering 10 clean sheets (enough for sixth in the league) and only 35 goals conceded (with just seven teams conceding fewer goals). Individually, the Green & Blue are well represented among stat leaders. Emmanuel Samadia currently ranks third among all players for crosses, with 168. When compared to only Eastern Conference foes, he moves up to second place. Kyle Edwards, along with setting a league record for goals off the bench, has earned a seventh place spot for goals overall, with 12. Among Eastern Conference players only, he ascends to fifth place. Sebastian Anderson has been outstanding for Hartford this year, creating 45 chances over the course of the season (putting him in ninth place overall and sixth against Eastern Conference rivals). Lastly, Antony Siaha has shown his skill between the posts, claiming sixth place for saves (68) and fifth place for clean sheets (9). When narrowed down to Eastern Conference goalkeepers, Siaha moves to third place for both stat categories.

Trinity or Travel: It All Rides on Saturday

Heading into the last game of the regular season, Hartford has everything to play for with a top four finish and the resulting home field advantage on the line. Only two points separate the four teams currently positioned from third to sixth places in the Eastern Conference standings, making the results of this weekend’s games critical in determining each side’s final place on the table. All four have the possibility of earning a top four finish. A win against first place Louisville City FC would seal the deal for the Boys in Green, and Athletic would play at Trinity Health Stadium for the first round of the playoffs. A tie against LouCity would give Hartford a good chance of clinching the home field edge. However, if both North Carolina FC and Pittsburgh come out on top, the Boys in Green would fall to fifth place and would not get to play in front of their home crowd for the first round. The last possibility is that the Green & Blue falls to the Kentucky side this weekend, making things a little more tricky, but not impossible. Then, Athletic would need Pittsburgh to lose against Phoenix Rising or for Loudoun and NCFC to draw. Playoff tickets are on sale now. Don’t miss the early bird pricing, so get yours before Athletic has officially secured a first-round home game.

Us trying to figure out all the possible scenarios 😅 https://t.co/H8MWbFK3Re pic.twitter.com/SQR1d2THuF

— x – Hartford Athletic (@hfdathletic) October 23, 2025

About the Opponent 

Louisville City FC have already clinched the Player’s’ Shield for this season, sitting in first place – well clear of second place Charleston Battery – with 70 points on a 21-1-7 record. This marks the club’s second consecutive Players’ Shield. Additionally, LouCity has already secured their spot in the postseason, along with the home field advantage in the first round. The Boys in Green have faced off against Louisville City FC 10 times since joining the league in 2019, going 1-6-3 over that period. Despite this record, Hartford has begun closing the gap with a draw and a win in the last two contests against the Kentucky side. Earlier this season, Athletic tied Louisville 1-1 powered by a late-game goal from Kyle Edwards. Last year’s home game saw the Green & Blue defend Fortress Hartford with a 2-1 win on a Mamadou Dieng brace. 

Players to Watch 

Hartford – Michee Ngalina, FW, 11

Athletic’s backflipping, goal-scoring phenom had quite the game against Tampa Bay Rowdies last weekend, scoring both of Hartford’s goals while also winning 7/10 duels and four fouls. Of the Green & Blue’s 0.94 expected goal mark, Ngalina had an individual xG of 0.86. His first goal of the match came just seconds before the referee blew the whistle to send the teams into the locker room for halftime. Adrián Diz Pe received the ball in the right corner, working hard to keep possession and get it to Jack Panayotou. The New England Revolution loanee took a few touches before picking out Ngalina on the other side of the box, wide open. The Democratic Republic of the Congo native buried the ball in the back of the net with one touch, netting for his second game in a row. Looking at a 3-1 scoreline going into stoppage time, Hartford was desperate for a goal. In the 92nd minute, Hadji Barry received the ball at the top of the D and beat a defender before playing a perfect through ball to Ngalina. Once again, the 5’11” forward found himself one-one-one with the goalkeeper. He took a touch to get around the keeper and calmly slid the ball home. With this brace, Ngalina moved into second on the team (among current players) with five regular season goals. For his outstanding performance, Ngalina earned a spot on the Week 33 USL Championship Team of the Week.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hartford Athletic (@hfdathletic)

Louisville – Josh Jones, DF, 24

Joining LouCity for his rookie professional season after playing four years at University of Louisville, Josh Jones has made an immediate impact on his new team. The 22-year-old has logged 1360 minutes, over 19 games and 15 starts. At centerback, Jones has been a crucial part of Louisville City’s league-leading 13 shutouts, ranking in the top three on the team for clearances (126), blocks (13) and interceptions (23). The Hatfield, Pennsylvania native has also won 118 of 173 duels, 72 of 104 aerial duels and 12 of 16 tackles. Offensively, Jones has contributed two assists and one goal, a late-game insurance point versus Las Vegas Lights. For his performance two weeks ago against Indy Eleven, the 6’5” defender earned a spot on the Week 31 USL Championship Team of the Week. In that match, Jones totaled 20 clearances, three blocks and three recoveries, while winning seven of eight duels and connecting two long balls. 

Inside the Huddle 

Join the Conversation

For live updates, follow along on Twitter using the hashtag #HFDvLOU

Despite a valiant last-ditch effort from the Boys in Green, Hartford Athletic fell 3-2 to the Tampa Bay Rowdies on the road on Saturday. This win for the Florida side keeps their post season hopes alive going into the final game of the season, when they face the current 8th place team Detroit City FC. 

Much like the last time these two teams met, the Green & Blue dominated in many stat categories but were unable to find the back of the net. Both teams fired off seven shots, but Hartford led the expected goal mark by 0.94 to 0.42. Athletic also put five corners and 19 crosses into the box, compared to Tampa’s two and seven respectively. Lastly, the Boys in Green maintained more possession, keeping the ball 58.2% of the time. 

The Rowdies, feeling the home field advantage, got on the scoreboard first with a goal in the eighth minute. On the counter attack from a Hartford cornerkick, Alex Méndez released Manuel Arteaga with a long ball out of Tampa’s defensive half. All alone at midfield, Arteaga took off towards goal. Emmanuel Samadia hustled back to put pressure on him, but he was able to fire off a shot that snuck past Antony Siaha. 

The two teams continued trading possession and momentum, until Tampa Bay netted again in the 25th minute. Paul Marie set Woobens Pacius up for a beautiful one-time finish to make the score 2-0. 

The score remained the same up until stoppage time of the first half, when Hartford halved the home team’s lead. Seconds before the referee sent the two squads into the locker rooms, Sebastian Anderson played a long-ball to Adrián Diz Pe in the corner. Diz Pe was able to dig it out and get it to Jack Panayotou at the edge of the 18-yard box. Panayotou quickly got the ball across to Ngalina who was standing completely undefended at the back post for an easy tap in goal. 

Michee gets one back as we head into the half +1️⃣ pic.twitter.com/8z79GZT6Ai

— x – Hartford Athletic (@hfdathletic) October 19, 2025

Although the Boys in Green came out of the locker room fired up. Tampa netted again in the 56th minute. Alex Méndez fired off a rocket of a shot from almost 50 yards out that curved out of Siaha’s reach and into the back of the net to restore the Rowdie’s lead to two. 

Despite the scoreline, the Boys in Green refused to give up and continued pressuring Tampa Bay’s backline right up until the end of the game. Two minutes into six minutes of stoppage time, Ngalina scored his second of the game for a brace and his fifth goal of the season. The play started when Samuel Careaga played a ball low and hard into the feet of Samadia, who passed it on to Hadji Barry. The former USL Championship Player of the Year played a perfect through ball to Ngalina who then only had goalkeeper Bill Hamid left to beat. He took a touch to get around him and powered the ball into the back of the net. 

Michee gets his brace 2️⃣ pic.twitter.com/y81oBjPULB

— x – Hartford Athletic (@hfdathletic) October 19, 2025

Athletic fought for an equalizer right up until the whistle blew but were unable to put one away, making the final score 3-2. 

Hartford next takes the field for the last game of the regular season on Saturday, October 25th at 7:30 PM against first place Louisville City FC. The club will be hosting a Fall Fan Fest and Watch Party. More information is available here. Additionally, playoff tickets are on sale now with early bird pricing, only available until a home field advantage is officially clinched. Believe in your Hartford Athletic and get your tickets now. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hartford Athletic (@hfdathletic)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hartford Athletic (@hfdathletic)

FAST STATS

	HARTFORD	TAMPA BAY
Shots	7	7
Shots On Target	2	3
Corners	5	2
Fouls	19	7
Offsides	1	1
Possession	58.2%	41.8%
Passing Accuracy	77.8%	73.7%
Saves	0	0

SCORING SUMMARY

HARTFORD	TAMPA BAY
45+2′ – Michee Ngalina (Jack Panayotou)	8′ – Manuel Arteaga (Alex Méndez)
90+2 – Michee Ngalina (Hadji Barry)	25′ – Woobens Pacius (Paul Marie)
	56′ – Alex Méndez

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

HARTFORD	TAMPA BAY
	61′ – Laurence Wyke (Yellow)
	90+2′ – Roberto Castellanos (Yellow)
	90+8′ – Manuel Arteaga (Yellow)

LINEUPS

HARTFORD	TAMPA BAY
77 (GK) Antony Siaha	24 (GK) Bill Hamid
19 (DF) Emmanuel Samadia	2 (DF) Roberto Castellanos
22 (DF) TJ Presthus	27 (DF) Laurence Wyke (Aarón Guillén, 63′)
4 (DF) Jordan Scarlett (C)	3 (DF) Forrest Lasso (C)
30 (DF) Adrián Diz Pe	26 (MF) Joey Skinner
2 (DF) Sebastian Anderson	17 (MF) Daniel Crisotomo
94 (MF) Marlon Hairston (Baboucarr Njie, 67′)	5 (MF) Paul Marie (Thomas Vancaeyezeele, 90+1′)
16 (MF) Jack Panayotou (Jonathan Jiménez, 57′)	19 (MF) Alex Méndez
10 (FM) Samuel Careaga	15 (MF) Juan Carlos Azócar
81 (FW) Adewale Obalola (Hadji Barry, 57′)	28 (FW) Woobens Pacius (Nick Moon, 82′)
11 (FW) Michee Ngalina	9 (FW) Manuel Arteaga