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ATHLETIC LOOK TO AVENGE EARLY SEASON LOSS TO NORTH CAROLINA FC

 

Hartford Athletic return home to host North Carolina FC in a Saturday evening USL Championship fixture. Hartford will hope to build on its best league run of the season to date, which has yielded four points in the club’s last two matches. Here’s what you need to know:

HARTFORD ATHLETIC vs NORTH CAROLINA FC

Date: Saturday, June 1

Time: 7:00 PM ET

Location: Pratt and Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field

Streaming: ESPN+

Local TV: WCTX MyTV9

WHERE TO WATCH: 

Thomas Hooker Brewery at Colt, 140 Huyshope Ave., Hartford

City Steam Brewery and Cafe, 942 Main St., Hartford

TK's American Cafe, 255 White St., Danbury 

2nd Bridge Brewing Co., 642 Hilliard St., Manchester

Lakeview Restaurant & Bar, 50 Lake St., Coventry

V's Trattoria, 280 Trumbull St, Hartford, CT 06103

LAST TIME OUT: 

Hartford Athletic bowed out of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Wednesday night, suffering a 4-0 defeat at Memphis 901 FC. The home side didn’t take very long to get on the scoresheet, with Mark Burch calmly stroking a penalty kick past Athletic goalkeeper Jacob Lissek in the 6th minute. Jochen Graf doubled Memphis’ advantage 15 minutes later; the forward was in the right place at the right time during a set piece, volleying a knockdown header into the back of the Hartford net. Memphis continued to push the pedal to the metal in the second half, with Graf and Morgan Hackworth adding two more insurance goals before the final whistle. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH: 

Hartford Athletic – Jonathan Brown, F 

Brown is a versatile winger, capable of performing in more advanced and fullback roles. The 29-year old Welshman possesses clear playmaking capabilities, as evidenced by his 10 key passes (2nd highest in the squad) and goal in USL Championship play. He was one of Hartford’s more threatening players going forward on Wednesday night, forcing a goal-line clearance in the 30th minute as Athletic attempted to battle back from a 2-0 deficit. Hartford will need Brown to make dangerous forward runs and play incisive passes to Athletic strikers if they hope to leave the Rent with a positive result. 

North Carolina FC – Marios Lomis, F 

Lomis is easily North Carolina’s most dangerous attacker, and he makes opposing defenses quiver whenever he touches the ball in the final third. The 24-year old leads his team with six league goals (T-10th in the USL Championship) and 15 shots on target, while also notching an assist this season. Lomis opened the scoring the last time these two sides met (a 4-1 win for North Carolina), latching onto Steven Miller’s defense-splitting long ball and slotting his shot past Frederik Due in the 5th minute. In order to minimize Lomis’ impact, Hartford’s defenders will need to remain aware of his whereabouts at all times, while also ensuring they do not inadvertently play him onside as he chases through balls. 

ABOUT THE OPPONENT: 

North Carolina FC enters Saturday sitting at 4th in the Eastern Conference standings with 19 points, leading 5th-placed Saint Louis FC on goal difference. The Cary, NC-based club is fresh off last week’s 2-1 road win against top-three side New York Red Bulls II, in which they grabbed two goals in the first 38 minutes and thwarted the home side’s urgent pursuit of a second-half comeback. Though North Carolina has only won two of its last five matches, it has gathered points in five of its last six and only tasted defeat twice all season. 

FOLLOW ONLINE: 

Updates on the match will be provided via Twitter at @hfdathletic or by following #HFDvNC.

ATHLETIC LOOK TO AVENGE EARLY SEASON LOSS TO NORTH CAROLINA FC

 

Hartford Athletic return home to host North Carolina FC in a Saturday evening USL Championship fixture. Hartford will hope to build on its best league run of the season to date, which has yielded four points in the club’s last two matches. Here’s what you need to know:

HARTFORD ATHLETIC vs NORTH CAROLINA FC

Date: Saturday, June 1

Time: 7:00 PM ET

Location: Pratt and Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field

Streaming: ESPN+

Local TV: WCTX MyTV9

WHERE TO WATCH: 

Thomas Hooker Brewery at Colt, 140 Huyshope Ave., Hartford

City Steam Brewery and Cafe, 942 Main St., Hartford

TK’s American Cafe, 255 White St., Danbury 

2nd Bridge Brewing Co., 642 Hilliard St., Manchester

Lakeview Restaurant & Bar, 50 Lake St., Coventry

V’s Trattoria, 280 Trumbull St, Hartford, CT 06103

LAST TIME OUT: 

Hartford Athletic bowed out of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Wednesday night, suffering a 4-0 defeat at Memphis 901 FC. The home side didn’t take very long to get on the scoresheet, with Mark Burch calmly stroking a penalty kick past Athletic goalkeeper Jacob Lissek in the 6th minute. Jochen Graf doubled Memphis’ advantage 15 minutes later; the forward was in the right place at the right time during a set piece, volleying a knockdown header into the back of the Hartford net. Memphis continued to push the pedal to the metal in the second half, with Graf and Morgan Hackworth adding two more insurance goals before the final whistle. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH: 

Hartford Athletic – Jonathan Brown, F 

Brown is a versatile winger, capable of performing in more advanced and fullback roles. The 29-year old Welshman possesses clear playmaking capabilities, as evidenced by his 10 key passes (2nd highest in the squad) and goal in USL Championship play. He was one of Hartford’s more threatening players going forward on Wednesday night, forcing a goal-line clearance in the 30th minute as Athletic attempted to battle back from a 2-0 deficit. Hartford will need Brown to make dangerous forward runs and play incisive passes to Athletic strikers if they hope to leave the Rent with a positive result. 

North Carolina FC – Marios Lomis, F 

Lomis is easily North Carolina’s most dangerous attacker, and he makes opposing defenses quiver whenever he touches the ball in the final third. The 24-year old leads his team with six league goals (T-10th in the USL Championship) and 15 shots on target, while also notching an assist this season. Lomis opened the scoring the last time these two sides met (a 4-1 win for North Carolina), latching onto Steven Miller’s defense-splitting long ball and slotting his shot past Frederik Due in the 5th minute. In order to minimize Lomis’ impact, Hartford’s defenders will need to remain aware of his whereabouts at all times, while also ensuring they do not inadvertently play him onside as he chases through balls. 

ABOUT THE OPPONENT: 

North Carolina FC enters Saturday sitting at 4th in the Eastern Conference standings with 19 points, leading 5th-placed Saint Louis FC on goal difference. The Cary, NC-based club is fresh off last week’s 2-1 road win against top-three side New York Red Bulls II, in which they grabbed two goals in the first 38 minutes and thwarted the home side’s urgent pursuit of a second-half comeback. Though North Carolina has only won two of its last five matches, it has gathered points in five of its last six and only tasted defeat twice all season. 

FOLLOW ONLINE: 

Updates on the match will be provided via Twitter at @hfdathletic or by following #HFDvNC.

HARTFORD, Conn. (May 31, 2019) – Hartford Athletic announced today that Travelers will join as a Founding Partner for the 2019 inaugural season. 

“We are thrilled to partner with Travelers, another remarkable organization in our community,” said Bruce Mandell, Chairman & CEO of Hartford Athletic. “Since 1864, Travelers has been an anchor institution in Hartford. We are excited to welcome another Founding Partner that is aligned in our vision to make our community a more vibrant place.” 

Travelers will serve as a presenting partner of the Community Champion Program, which will donate a special group experience at a Hartford Athletic match to those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to attend. Additional partnership initiatives include the Travelers Free Kick campaign, which will set up in Hartford throughout the season with contests for Hartford Athletic tickets, merchandise and more, as well as the Pop-Up Soccer program, which will make appearances around Hartford and at Dillon Stadium. 

“Congratulations to Hartford Athletic on its inaugural season and on being a great addition to the Connecticut sports scene,” said Andy Bessette, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at Travelers. “Travelers is committed to helping those who live and work in our community, and we’re honored to join the team’s efforts in creating opportunities for more fans to attend.” 

Hartford Athletic is now unbeaten in three of its last four matches with three more home matches in a row on June 1st, June 8th, and June 16th. The June 1st match pits Athletic against rival North Carolina FC, the June 8th match will have a $2 beers and $2 hot dog promotion as a special appreciation for Founding Members, and June 16th features a special Father’s Day buy one get one offer. 

HARTFORD, Conn. (May 31, 2019) – Hartford Athletic announced today that Travelers will join as a Founding Partner for the 2019 inaugural season. 

“We are thrilled to partner with Travelers, another remarkable organization in our community,” said Bruce Mandell, Chairman & CEO of Hartford Athletic. “Since 1864, Travelers has been an anchor institution in Hartford. We are excited to welcome another Founding Partner that is aligned in our vision to make our community a more vibrant place.” 

Travelers will serve as a presenting partner of the Community Champion Program, which will donate a special group experience at a Hartford Athletic match to those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to attend. Additional partnership initiatives include the Travelers Free Kick campaign, which will set up in Hartford throughout the season with contests for Hartford Athletic tickets, merchandise and more, as well as the Pop-Up Soccer program, which will make appearances around Hartford and at Dillon Stadium. 

“Congratulations to Hartford Athletic on its inaugural season and on being a great addition to the Connecticut sports scene,” said Andy Bessette, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at Travelers. “Travelers is committed to helping those who live and work in our community, and we’re honored to join the team’s efforts in creating opportunities for more fans to attend.” 

Hartford Athletic is now unbeaten in three of its last four matches with three more home matches in a row on June 1st, June 8th, and June 16th. The June 1st match pits Athletic against rival North Carolina FC, the June 8th match will have a $2 beers and $2 hot dog promotion as a special appreciation for Founding Members, and June 16th features a special Father’s Day buy one get one offer. 

Welcome back to the mailbag! Thank you to everyone who submitted a question. If you want to submit a question to the mailbag, click here. Let's get to the questions:

Will M. asks, "Has Jimmy had a CT style lobster roll yet? If not, please get this man one."

Coach Nielsen: I hate to admit I have not had a Connecticut lobster roll yet. But I LOVE lobster and I'm very excited to have one. Where do I go for the best one? I need recommendations! 

Chris B. asks, "Is Dillon Stadium still on schedule to open July 13?"

Yes! We are incredibly excited to open Dillon Stadium in 6 weeks. We're going to have a pregame party set up in Coltsville using the area all around the stadium. Inside Dillon, there will be rotating food trucks in the stadium and a beer garden. Our supporters have already proven to you that they're going to create the best atmosphere in the league. We've gone up in the seats and there isn't a bad seat in the house. We can't wait until the 13th!

@CTSoccerMike asks, "Is a hot dog a sandwich?"

It's a timeless debate and finally we have to take a side. Personally, I think you know a sandwich when you see one. I'd never eat the contents of a sandwich inside a hot dog bun, so I'd say no. Here are some other anonymous answers from our front office:

"Absolutely not"

"A hot dog is not a sandwich because a hot dog is just a piece of meat"

"Yes, because it's between two pieces of bread"

"No, a Hot Dog is its own food category"

"Hot Dogs are disgusting"

Neil M. asks, "With the large pool of talent what are the keys to finding players for HA?"

Coach Nielsen: My coaching staff and I go through an extensive process to pick the players we want on our roster. Over the summer we were offered a lot of players and we had to view a lot of film and highlight reels. It's hard because when you see a great play on tape, you have to remember, highlights are not always an accurate representation of the way they played the rest of the match. There's a lot of scouting and time that's invested into the process until we ultimately make an offer.

@HoyaHoops33 asks, "Why couldn't I bring in my green vuvuzela with HA sticker on it?"

Unfortunately we do not allow noisemakers at the stadium unless you join one of our incredible Supporters Groups. You probably already know all about The 19th Regiment and Mad Hat Massive, but we have other groups forming like Elm City Casuals and Barra Oficial. You can also start your own group! Be ready to jump, dance, and sing for 90 minutes just like these guys have done all season long.

@of776 asks, "Lifetime season tickets to the first person who gets a Hartford Athletic tattoo?"

We can't promise anything, but you get a tattoo and we can have a conversation.

NEXT HOME MATCH:

Join us on Saturday, June 1st, when we host North Carolina FC at 7 PM at Pratt and Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Tickets are just $10 and can be purchased here. Get ready to #RockTheRent!

Welcome back to the mailbag! Thank you to everyone who submitted a question. If you want to submit a question to the mailbag, click here. Let’s get to the questions:

Will M. asks, “Has Jimmy had a CT style lobster roll yet? If not, please get this man one.”

Coach Nielsen: I hate to admit I have not had a Connecticut lobster roll yet. But I LOVE lobster and I’m very excited to have one. Where do I go for the best one? I need recommendations! 

Chris B. asks, “Is Dillon Stadium still on schedule to open July 13?”

Yes! We are incredibly excited to open Dillon Stadium in 6 weeks. We’re going to have a pregame party set up in Coltsville using the area all around the stadium. Inside Dillon, there will be rotating food trucks in the stadium and a beer garden. Our supporters have already proven to you that they’re going to create the best atmosphere in the league. We’ve gone up in the seats and there isn’t a bad seat in the house. We can’t wait until the 13th!

@CTSoccerMike asks, “Is a hot dog a sandwich?”

It’s a timeless debate and finally we have to take a side. Personally, I think you know a sandwich when you see one. I’d never eat the contents of a sandwich inside a hot dog bun, so I’d say no. Here are some other anonymous answers from our front office:

“Absolutely not”

“A hot dog is not a sandwich because a hot dog is just a piece of meat”

“Yes, because it’s between two pieces of bread”

“No, a Hot Dog is its own food category”

“Hot Dogs are disgusting”

Neil M. asks, “With the large pool of talent what are the keys to finding players for HA?”

Coach Nielsen: My coaching staff and I go through an extensive process to pick the players we want on our roster. Over the summer we were offered a lot of players and we had to view a lot of film and highlight reels. It’s hard because when you see a great play on tape, you have to remember, highlights are not always an accurate representation of the way they played the rest of the match. There’s a lot of scouting and time that’s invested into the process until we ultimately make an offer.

@HoyaHoops33 asks, “Why couldn’t I bring in my green vuvuzela with HA sticker on it?”

Unfortunately we do not allow noisemakers at the stadium unless you join one of our incredible Supporters Groups. You probably already know all about The 19th Regiment and Mad Hat Massive, but we have other groups forming like Elm City Casuals and Barra Oficial. You can also start your own group! Be ready to jump, dance, and sing for 90 minutes just like these guys have done all season long.

@of776 asks, “Lifetime season tickets to the first person who gets a Hartford Athletic tattoo?”

We can’t promise anything, but you get a tattoo and we can have a conversation.

NEXT HOME MATCH:

Join us on Saturday, June 1st, when we host North Carolina FC at 7 PM at Pratt and Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. Tickets are just $10 and can be purchased here. Get ready to #RockTheRent!

Hartford Athletic took a tough 4-0 loss on the road in Round Three of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against Memphis 901 FC. 

Hartford was looking to avenge the loss to Memphis at home just a few weeks ago and came out ready to fight. Unfortunately, 6 minutes into the match Hartford committed a penalty in the box allowing Memphis to score their first goal on a penalty kick.

A free kick from Ryan Williams just a couple minutes later was on target but deflected away. Memphis put another one in the net when Jochen Graf scored off of a free kick in the 21st minute. The score remained 2-0 going into the end of the half. 

In the 59th minute Memphis was able to break the defense and Graf scored again to make it 3-0. Shortly after, Sem De Wit was given his second yellow card of the night and sent off the field. Despite the score, Hartford kept the energy up feeding off of a great save from Jacob Lissek.

Ray Lee and Wojciech Wojcik were able to get some good shots on goal but couldn't quite get it into the net. In the 83rd minute Lissek made a great initial save but Morgan Hackworth from Memphis was able to score off of the rebound. With that, Hartford fell to Memphis 4-0 to end their U.S. Open Cup run.

Hartford Athletic is back home at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field this Saturday, June 1 for a match against North Carolina FC at 7 PM. 

STATS:

Shots: 18-10 MEM

Shots on Target: 10-3 MEM

Corner Kicks: 5-4 MEM

Fouls Committed: 11-10 HFD

Saves: 6-2 HFD

Offside: 1-1 HFD | MEM

Possession: 57-43 MEM

Passing Accuracy: 86-79 MEM

SCORING SUMMARY

MEM – Marc Burch 6'

MEM – Jochen Graf 21'

MEM – Jochen Graf 59'

MEM – Morgan Hackworth 83'

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

19' – Kyle Curinga (Yellow)

39' – Sem de Wit (Yellow)

45' – Cameron Lindley (Yellow)

61' – Sem de Wit (Second Yellow)

HARTFORD ATHLETIC STARTING LINEUP

Jacob Lissek; Raymond Lee, Logan Gdula, Sem de Wit, Kyle Curinga; Nicky Downs, Alex Dixon, Jonathan Brown, Phil Rasmussen (c.); Ryan Williams (Mads Jørgensen 63'), Jose Angulo (Wojciech Wojcik 59').

MEMPHIS 901 FC STARTING LINEUP

Scott Levene; Wesley Charpie, Marc Burch (c.), Jacob Hauser-Ramsey, Joshua Morton; Duana Muckette, Cameron Lindley (Morgan Hackworth 75'), Dan Metzger, Adam Najem (Ewan Grandison 67'); Elliot Collier (Lagos Kunga 63'), Jochen Graf.

Hartford Athletic took a tough 4-0 loss on the road in Round Three of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against Memphis 901 FC. 

Hartford was looking to avenge the loss to Memphis at home just a few weeks ago and came out ready to fight. Unfortunately, 6 minutes into the match Hartford committed a penalty in the box allowing Memphis to score their first goal on a penalty kick.

A free kick from Ryan Williams just a couple minutes later was on target but deflected away. Memphis put another one in the net when Jochen Graf scored off of a free kick in the 21st minute. The score remained 2-0 going into the end of the half. 

In the 59th minute Memphis was able to break the defense and Graf scored again to make it 3-0. Shortly after, Sem De Wit was given his second yellow card of the night and sent off the field. Despite the score, Hartford kept the energy up feeding off of a great save from Jacob Lissek.

Ray Lee and Wojciech Wojcik were able to get some good shots on goal but couldn’t quite get it into the net. In the 83rd minute Lissek made a great initial save but Morgan Hackworth from Memphis was able to score off of the rebound. With that, Hartford fell to Memphis 4-0 to end their U.S. Open Cup run.

Hartford Athletic is back home at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field this Saturday, June 1 for a match against North Carolina FC at 7 PM. 

STATS:

Shots: 18-10 MEM

Shots on Target: 10-3 MEM

Corner Kicks: 5-4 MEM

Fouls Committed: 11-10 HFD

Saves: 6-2 HFD

Offside: 1-1 HFD | MEM

Possession: 57-43 MEM

Passing Accuracy: 86-79 MEM

SCORING SUMMARY

MEM – Marc Burch 6′

MEM – Jochen Graf 21′

MEM – Jochen Graf 59′

MEM – Morgan Hackworth 83′

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

19′ – Kyle Curinga (Yellow)

39′ – Sem de Wit (Yellow)

45′ – Cameron Lindley (Yellow)

61′ – Sem de Wit (Second Yellow)

HARTFORD ATHLETIC STARTING LINEUP

Jacob Lissek; Raymond Lee, Logan Gdula, Sem de Wit, Kyle Curinga; Nicky Downs, Alex Dixon, Jonathan Brown, Phil Rasmussen (c.); Ryan Williams (Mads Jørgensen 63′), Jose Angulo (Wojciech Wojcik 59′).

MEMPHIS 901 FC STARTING LINEUP

Scott Levene; Wesley Charpie, Marc Burch (c.), Jacob Hauser-Ramsey, Joshua Morton; Duana Muckette, Cameron Lindley (Morgan Hackworth 75′), Dan Metzger, Adam Najem (Ewan Grandison 67′); Elliot Collier (Lagos Kunga 63′), Jochen Graf.

ATHLETIC visit memphis with round of 32 berth on the line

Hartford Athletic, unbeaten in its last three matches, is set to take a trip down south for a midweek clash with Memphis 901 FC. Head Coach Jimmy Nielsen’s squad looks to progress out of the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, but must avenge its lone home defeat in order to do so. Here's what you need to know:

HARTFORD ATHLETIC at MEMPHIS 901 FC

Date: Wednesday, May 29

Time: 8:00 PM ET

Location: Mike Rose Soccer Complex, Memphis, TN

Streaming: ESPN+

Local TV: None

WHERE TO WATCH: 

Thomas Hooker Brewery at Colt, 140 Huyshope Ave., Hartford

City Steam Brewery and Cafe, 942 Main St., Hartford

TK's American Cafe, 255 White St., Danbury 

2nd Bridge Brewing Co., 642 Hilliard St., Manchester

Lakeview Restaurant & Bar, 50 Lake St., Coventry

V's Trattoria, 280 Trumbull St, Hartford, CT 06103

LAST TIME OUT:

Hartford Athletic earned a hard-fought, 1-1 draw against Ottawa Fury F.C. on Saturday evening at Pratt and Whitney Stadium. Despite ceding the majority of possession and attacking opportunities, Hartford battled back from a 1-0 halftime deficit and salvaged a point at home. Ottawa’s Mour Samb struck first in the 22nd minute, finding space in the center of the Hartford penalty area and volleying teammate Kévin Oliveira’s deflected header past Athletic goalkeeper Frederik Due’s outstretched gloves. Hartford Athletic equalized less than two minutes into the second half, with forward Sebastian Dalgaard scooping up a deflected Ottawa clearance on the left wing and driving a low effort into the far corner of the Ottawa net. The two sides played to a stalemate for the rest of the match, and the scoreline remained unchanged at the sound of the final whistle.

HOW WE GOT HERE:

Hartford Athletic advanced in the U.S. Open Cup with a 2-1 victory over New York Cosmos B on May 14th. Hartford scored twice in the first 45 minutes, first on a goal from Harry Swartz on a beautiful touch and turn, and later from Mads Jørgensen on a free kick. Cosmos would answer in the second half on an incredible strike from Bljedi Bardic, but ultimately it wasn't enough.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Hartford Athletic – Jose Angulo, F

Angulo is clearly Hartford’s most threatening attacker thus far, recording exactly one-third of the side’s goals (3 of 9). Though the 31-year old Colombian was held scoreless against Ottawa on Saturday, he was a force to be reckoned with in the previous weekend’s match at Loudoun United FC. Angulo scored both of Hartford’s goals in the 2-1 victory, opening the scoring in the 59th minute and netting the winner in the 68th. Hartford must provide Angulo with good service if they hope to progress to the Fourth Round.

Memphis 901 FC – Adam Najem, MF

Najem is Memphis’ lead playmaker, operating effectively on either wing. He has appeared in all but one league match and leads the side with 18 chances created. He has also made a direct impact on the scoresheet, recording a goal and an assist this season. The 24-year old was especially impactful the last time Hartford and Memphis met, completing 42 of his 50 pass attempts and creating 3 chances for the visitors. Hartford must close Najem down quickly in order to minimize his influence and take the teeth out of Memphis’ attack.

ABOUT THE OPPONENT:

Memphis 901 FC is currently riding a four-match unbeaten run, recording two wins and two draws in the month of May. The squad most recently obtained a road point at Swope Park Rangers last Wednesday, earning a come-from-behind, 2-2 draw. Memphis has not won a USL Championship match at home, with its only victory at AutoZone Park coming against New York Red Bulls U23 in the Second Round of the U.S. Open Cup.

FOLLOW ONLINE:

Updates on the match will be provided via Twitter at @hfdathletic or by following #MEMvHFD

ATHLETIC visit memphis with round of 32 berth on the line

Hartford Athletic, unbeaten in its last three matches, is set to take a trip down south for a midweek clash with Memphis 901 FC. Head Coach Jimmy Nielsen’s squad looks to progress out of the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, but must avenge its lone home defeat in order to do so. Here’s what you need to know:

HARTFORD ATHLETIC at MEMPHIS 901 FC

Date: Wednesday, May 29

Time: 8:00 PM ET

Location: Mike Rose Soccer Complex, Memphis, TN

Streaming: ESPN+

Local TV: None

WHERE TO WATCH: 

Thomas Hooker Brewery at Colt, 140 Huyshope Ave., Hartford

City Steam Brewery and Cafe, 942 Main St., Hartford

TK’s American Cafe, 255 White St., Danbury 

2nd Bridge Brewing Co., 642 Hilliard St., Manchester

Lakeview Restaurant & Bar, 50 Lake St., Coventry

V’s Trattoria, 280 Trumbull St, Hartford, CT 06103

LAST TIME OUT:

Hartford Athletic earned a hard-fought, 1-1 draw against Ottawa Fury F.C. on Saturday evening at Pratt and Whitney Stadium. Despite ceding the majority of possession and attacking opportunities, Hartford battled back from a 1-0 halftime deficit and salvaged a point at home. Ottawa’s Mour Samb struck first in the 22nd minute, finding space in the center of the Hartford penalty area and volleying teammate Kévin Oliveira’s deflected header past Athletic goalkeeper Frederik Due’s outstretched gloves. Hartford Athletic equalized less than two minutes into the second half, with forward Sebastian Dalgaard scooping up a deflected Ottawa clearance on the left wing and driving a low effort into the far corner of the Ottawa net. The two sides played to a stalemate for the rest of the match, and the scoreline remained unchanged at the sound of the final whistle.

HOW WE GOT HERE:

Hartford Athletic advanced in the U.S. Open Cup with a 2-1 victory over New York Cosmos B on May 14th. Hartford scored twice in the first 45 minutes, first on a goal from Harry Swartz on a beautiful touch and turn, and later from Mads Jørgensen on a free kick. Cosmos would answer in the second half on an incredible strike from Bljedi Bardic, but ultimately it wasn’t enough.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Hartford Athletic – Jose Angulo, F

Angulo is clearly Hartford’s most threatening attacker thus far, recording exactly one-third of the side’s goals (3 of 9). Though the 31-year old Colombian was held scoreless against Ottawa on Saturday, he was a force to be reckoned with in the previous weekend’s match at Loudoun United FC. Angulo scored both of Hartford’s goals in the 2-1 victory, opening the scoring in the 59th minute and netting the winner in the 68th. Hartford must provide Angulo with good service if they hope to progress to the Fourth Round.

Memphis 901 FC – Adam Najem, MF

Najem is Memphis’ lead playmaker, operating effectively on either wing. He has appeared in all but one league match and leads the side with 18 chances created. He has also made a direct impact on the scoresheet, recording a goal and an assist this season. The 24-year old was especially impactful the last time Hartford and Memphis met, completing 42 of his 50 pass attempts and creating 3 chances for the visitors. Hartford must close Najem down quickly in order to minimize his influence and take the teeth out of Memphis’ attack.

ABOUT THE OPPONENT:

Memphis 901 FC is currently riding a four-match unbeaten run, recording two wins and two draws in the month of May. The squad most recently obtained a road point at Swope Park Rangers last Wednesday, earning a come-from-behind, 2-2 draw. Memphis has not won a USL Championship match at home, with its only victory at AutoZone Park coming against New York Red Bulls U23 in the Second Round of the U.S. Open Cup.

FOLLOW ONLINE:

Updates on the match will be provided via Twitter at @hfdathletic or by following #MEMvHFD

Hartford Athletic ended the night on Saturday with a 1-1 draw against Ottawa Fury FC at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. 

Hartford had an energetic offensive start with some solid chances to score coming from Sebastian Dalgaard, Harry Swartz and Mads Jorgensen. Logan Gdula also hustled in the back line to make a great save on the defensive end.

Ottawa was able to put one on the board when Mour Samb was able to rebound off of a header in the box in the 22nd minute. 

Building off of the second half momentum, Hartford answers in the 47th minute with an incredible strike from Sebastian Dalgaard across the box to tie up the game. A great defensive effort from Hartford kept Ottawa from scoring for the remainder of the game. 

We would like to thank all military and first responders for joining us for our Memorial Day Weekend match. We thank you for your service today and every day, those here and abroad.

Hartford Athletic plays their next match in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup against Memphis 901 FC at Mike Rose Soccer Complex in Memphis, TN. Hartford is back at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field next Saturday, June 1 for a match against North Carolina FC at 7 PM.

STATS:

Shots: 10-10 HFD | OTT

Shots on Target: 3-1 OTT

Corner Kicks: 2-2 HFD | OTT

Fouls Committed: 14-14 HFD | OTT

Saves: 2-0 HFD

Offside: 2-1 HFD

Possession: 58-42 OTT

Passing Accuracy: 86-76 OTT

SCORING SUMMARY

OTT – Mour Samb 22'

HFD – Sebastian Dalgaard 47’

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

45 +1’ – Collin Martin (Yellow)

49' – Wal Fall (Yellow)

60’ – Sem De Wit (Yellow)

64’ – Chris Mannella (Yellow)

HARTFORD ATHLETIC STARTING LINEUP

Frederik Due; Raymond Lee (c), Logan Gdula, Sem de Wit, Kyle Curinga; Mads Jørgensen, Collin Martin, Harry Swartz (Alex Dixon 76’), Sebastian Dalgaard (Jonathan Brown 83’); Wojciech Wojcik (Nicky Downs 88’), Jose Angulo.

OTTAWA FURY FC STARTING LINEUP

Callum Irving; Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare, Thomas Meilleur-Giguere, Dakota Barnathan, Carl Haworth (c); Wal Fall, Charlie Ward (Nana Attakora 87’), Chris Mannella; Christiano Francois (Amar Sejdic 76’), Mour Samb, Kevin Oliveira (Aidan Daniels 90’).

Hartford Athletic ended the night on Saturday with a 1-1 draw against Ottawa Fury FC at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. 

Hartford had an energetic offensive start with some solid chances to score coming from Sebastian Dalgaard, Harry Swartz and Mads Jorgensen. Logan Gdula also hustled in the back line to make a great save on the defensive end.

Ottawa was able to put one on the board when Mour Samb was able to rebound off of a header in the box in the 22nd minute. 

Building off of the second half momentum, Hartford answers in the 47th minute with an incredible strike from Sebastian Dalgaard across the box to tie up the game. A great defensive effort from Hartford kept Ottawa from scoring for the remainder of the game. 

We would like to thank all military and first responders for joining us for our Memorial Day Weekend match. We thank you for your service today and every day, those here and abroad.

Hartford Athletic plays their next match in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup against Memphis 901 FC at Mike Rose Soccer Complex in Memphis, TN. Hartford is back at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field next Saturday, June 1 for a match against North Carolina FC at 7 PM.

STATS:

Shots: 10-10 HFD | OTT

Shots on Target: 3-1 OTT

Corner Kicks: 2-2 HFD | OTT

Fouls Committed: 14-14 HFD | OTT

Saves: 2-0 HFD

Offside: 2-1 HFD

Possession: 58-42 OTT

Passing Accuracy: 86-76 OTT

SCORING SUMMARY

OTT – Mour Samb 22′

HFD – Sebastian Dalgaard 47’

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

45 +1’ – Collin Martin (Yellow)

49′ – Wal Fall (Yellow)

60’ – Sem De Wit (Yellow)

64’ – Chris Mannella (Yellow)

HARTFORD ATHLETIC STARTING LINEUP

Frederik Due; Raymond Lee (c), Logan Gdula, Sem de Wit, Kyle Curinga; Mads Jørgensen, Collin Martin, Harry Swartz (Alex Dixon 76’), Sebastian Dalgaard (Jonathan Brown 83’); Wojciech Wojcik (Nicky Downs 88’), Jose Angulo.

OTTAWA FURY FC STARTING LINEUP

Callum Irving; Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare, Thomas Meilleur-Giguere, Dakota Barnathan, Carl Haworth (c); Wal Fall, Charlie Ward (Nana Attakora 87’), Chris Mannella; Christiano Francois (Amar Sejdic 76’), Mour Samb, Kevin Oliveira (Aidan Daniels 90’).

Athletic return home riding momentum of 2-match win streak

After wins last Tuesday and Sunday, Hartford Athletic is back at home Saturday night when they host Ottawa Fury FC. Military and First Responders get in free at the Box Office with a valid identification! Here's what you need to know:

HARTFORD ATHLETIC vs OTTAWA FURY FC

Date: Saturday, May 25

Time: 7:00 PM ET

Location: Pratt and Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field

Streaming: ESPN+

Local TV: WCTX MyTV9

WHERE TO WATCH: 

Thomas Hooker Brewery at Colt, 140 Huyshope Ave., Hartford

City Steam Brewery and Cafe, 942 Main St., Hartford

TK's American Cafe, 255 White St., Danbury 

2nd Bridge Brewing Co., 642 Hilliard St., Manchester

Lakeview Restaurant & Bar, 50 Lake St., Coventry

V's Trattoria, 280 Trumbull St, Hartford, CT 06103

SPECIAL OFFER:

In honor of Veteran's Day, Military and First Responders will receive a complimentary General Admission ticket! Any additional tickets for family members, friends, or others who may want to join you (and aren't military or first responders) can be purchased in your assigned seating section. Offer is valid for all active duty, reserved, retired, or veteran service members. Head to the Box Office with a valid service ID to claim your ticket.

LAST TIME OUT:

Hartford Athletic got their first USL Championship win with a 2-1 victory over Loudoun United on Sunday afternoon at Audi Field in Washington D.C. After a scoreless first half, Jose Angulo chipped the ball into the back of the net after a first initial save from Loudoun keeper at the 59 minute mark. After Loudoun leveled the match with a goal, Angulo answered right back, scoring in the upper 90 to put Hartford back in the lead 2-1. With great composure, Hartford continued to work the ball around for the remainder of the half and kept Loudoun from putting another one on the board.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Hartford Athletic – Sebastian Dalgaard, F

Dalgaard was the catalyst of much of Hartford's offense on Sunday including a beautiful move that freed him up to assist on Jose Angulo's second goal on the afternoon. Hartford, who has scored two goals in each of the last two matches, will need more of the same from Dalgaard to keep the offensive outburst going.

Ottawa Fury FC – Thomas Meilleur-Giguère, D

Meilleur-Giguère​​​​​ leads an Ottawa defense that has only conceded 7 goals on the season. He has 59 clearances on the season and has also won 36 of a possible 53 duels, as well as 23 of 35 aerial duels. Hartford will have to find a way to neutralize his impact to get on the board on Saturday.

ABOUT THE OPPONENT:

Fury FC comes to Hartford fresh off a 3-0 drubbing of Bethlehem Steel FC. Christiano François put on a show, collecting three points with one goal and two assists. He had two decisive passes and two shots on target. Fury FC is unbeaten in its last four matches, with 3 wins and 1 draw in the past month.

FOLLOW ONLINE:

Updates on the match will be provided via Twitter at @hfdathletic or by following #HFDvOTT

Athletic return home riding momentum of 2-match win streak

After wins last Tuesday and Sunday, Hartford Athletic is back at home Saturday night when they host Ottawa Fury FC. Military and First Responders get in free at the Box Office with a valid identification! Here’s what you need to know:

HARTFORD ATHLETIC vs OTTAWA FURY FC

Date: Saturday, May 25

Time: 7:00 PM ET

Location: Pratt and Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field

Streaming: ESPN+

Local TV: WCTX MyTV9

WHERE TO WATCH: 

Thomas Hooker Brewery at Colt, 140 Huyshope Ave., Hartford

City Steam Brewery and Cafe, 942 Main St., Hartford

TK’s American Cafe, 255 White St., Danbury 

2nd Bridge Brewing Co., 642 Hilliard St., Manchester

Lakeview Restaurant & Bar, 50 Lake St., Coventry

V’s Trattoria, 280 Trumbull St, Hartford, CT 06103

SPECIAL OFFER:

In honor of Veteran’s Day, Military and First Responders will receive a complimentary General Admission ticket! Any additional tickets for family members, friends, or others who may want to join you (and aren’t military or first responders) can be purchased in your assigned seating section. Offer is valid for all active duty, reserved, retired, or veteran service members. Head to the Box Office with a valid service ID to claim your ticket.

LAST TIME OUT:

Hartford Athletic got their first USL Championship win with a 2-1 victory over Loudoun United on Sunday afternoon at Audi Field in Washington D.C. After a scoreless first half, Jose Angulo chipped the ball into the back of the net after a first initial save from Loudoun keeper at the 59 minute mark. After Loudoun leveled the match with a goal, Angulo answered right back, scoring in the upper 90 to put Hartford back in the lead 2-1. With great composure, Hartford continued to work the ball around for the remainder of the half and kept Loudoun from putting another one on the board.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Hartford Athletic – Sebastian Dalgaard, F

Dalgaard was the catalyst of much of Hartford’s offense on Sunday including a beautiful move that freed him up to assist on Jose Angulo’s second goal on the afternoon. Hartford, who has scored two goals in each of the last two matches, will need more of the same from Dalgaard to keep the offensive outburst going.

Ottawa Fury FC – Thomas Meilleur-Giguère, D

Meilleur-Giguère​​​​​ leads an Ottawa defense that has only conceded 7 goals on the season. He has 59 clearances on the season and has also won 36 of a possible 53 duels, as well as 23 of 35 aerial duels. Hartford will have to find a way to neutralize his impact to get on the board on Saturday.

ABOUT THE OPPONENT:

Fury FC comes to Hartford fresh off a 3-0 drubbing of Bethlehem Steel FC. Christiano François put on a show, collecting three points with one goal and two assists. He had two decisive passes and two shots on target. Fury FC is unbeaten in its last four matches, with 3 wins and 1 draw in the past month.

FOLLOW ONLINE:

Updates on the match will be provided via Twitter at @hfdathletic or by following #HFDvOTT

It's Week 2 of the Mailbag! If you want to submit a question to the mailbag, click here. Let's get to your questions:

@DamonTweet asks, "What is @Giussi92 (Giuseppe Gentile) favorite type of pizza?"

Giuseppe: My favorite type of pizza is Gluten Free Margarita. I am going to have to get down to New Haven to get some of that pizza the Supporters sing about though!

Meghan C. asks, "Do you give out tickets to special groups like group homes or nonprofits?"

We are very proud of our Community Ticket program where over the course of the 2019 season we will donate over 2,000 tickets to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hartford and youth who may not otherwise have an opportunity to attend a match. You can read more about the program here. In honor of Memorial Day Weekend, and in recognition of all those that serve and protect, we'll be giving a free ticket to our May 25th match to all Military and First Responders. Sign up here.

@CTSoccerMike asks, "Would you rather play against 11 duck-sized horses, or 1 horse-sized duck?"

Front Office: H/T to Mike for asking the weirdest question two weeks in a row.

Coach Nielsen: I mean, this is pretty easy, I'm taking 11-on-1 rather than 11-on-11 every time. Plus I don't think ducks can kick very well with their webbed feet.

Dan J. asks, "Has there been any thought about a working arrangement with the Revolution?"

We strive for strong relationships with all the clubs in our region as we look to grow the game and provide the highest level of play for our fans. We do not currently have any formal affiliation with any MLS club. We are always in active conversations with clubs around the world (MLS or otherwise) regarding players as we look for a competitive advantage for our organization. Above all, we are, and always will be, Hartford's club and are excited to bring professional soccer to the state.

@plostrappo99 asks, "Best thing about Hartford so far?"

Coach Nielsen: The support we've seen for both our team and our sport here in Hartford has been phenomenal. Our supporters groups have created incredible environments at all 3 home matches. People in the community come up to me and tell me how excited they are about our team and soccer. Hartford is clearly a soccer city that's been ready for pro soccer for a long time, and we're happy to be a part of the group that brings it to you.

NEXT HOME MATCH:

Be sure to join us on Saturday for a special Memorial Day weekend match against Ottawa Fury FC. All Military and First Responders will receive a free ticket to the match! Visit https://www.hartfordathletic.com/mdw for more information on redeeming your ticket. Fans looking to purchase a ticket can click here.

It’s Week 2 of the Mailbag! If you want to submit a question to the mailbag, click here. Let’s get to your questions:

@DamonTweet asks, “What is @Giussi92 (Giuseppe Gentile) favorite type of pizza?”

Giuseppe: My favorite type of pizza is Gluten Free Margarita. I am going to have to get down to New Haven to get some of that pizza the Supporters sing about though!

Meghan C. asks, “Do you give out tickets to special groups like group homes or nonprofits?”

We are very proud of our Community Ticket program where over the course of the 2019 season we will donate over 2,000 tickets to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hartford and youth who may not otherwise have an opportunity to attend a match. You can read more about the program here. In honor of Memorial Day Weekend, and in recognition of all those that serve and protect, we’ll be giving a free ticket to our May 25th match to all Military and First Responders. Sign up here.

@CTSoccerMike asks, “Would you rather play against 11 duck-sized horses, or 1 horse-sized duck?”

Front Office: H/T to Mike for asking the weirdest question two weeks in a row.

Coach Nielsen: I mean, this is pretty easy, I’m taking 11-on-1 rather than 11-on-11 every time. Plus I don’t think ducks can kick very well with their webbed feet.

Dan J. asks, “Has there been any thought about a working arrangement with the Revolution?”

We strive for strong relationships with all the clubs in our region as we look to grow the game and provide the highest level of play for our fans. We do not currently have any formal affiliation with any MLS club. We are always in active conversations with clubs around the world (MLS or otherwise) regarding players as we look for a competitive advantage for our organization. Above all, we are, and always will be, Hartford’s club and are excited to bring professional soccer to the state.

@plostrappo99 asks, “Best thing about Hartford so far?”

Coach Nielsen: The support we’ve seen for both our team and our sport here in Hartford has been phenomenal. Our supporters groups have created incredible environments at all 3 home matches. People in the community come up to me and tell me how excited they are about our team and soccer. Hartford is clearly a soccer city that’s been ready for pro soccer for a long time, and we’re happy to be a part of the group that brings it to you.

NEXT HOME MATCH:

Be sure to join us on Saturday for a special Memorial Day weekend match against Ottawa Fury FC. All Military and First Responders will receive a free ticket to the match! Visit https://www.hartfordathletic.com/mdw for more information on redeeming your ticket. Fans looking to purchase a ticket can click here.

Following a two-goal performance on Sunday afternoon against Loudoun United FC, Jose Angulo has been named to the USL Championship Team of the Week. Angulo's two goals propelled Hartford to a 2-1 victory over Loudoun. The second goal was his 50th goal in his USL Championship career making him just the 6th player in Championship history to reach that mark. He is the first Hartford Athletic player to be named to a Team of the Week.

USL Championship Team of the Week 

GK – Mason Stajduhar, Tulsa Roughnecks FC: Stajduhar recorded seven saves to earn the Roughnecks a 1-1 draw on the road against San Antonio FC. 

D – Matt Bahner, Saint Louis FC: Bahner made a crucial goal-line clearance to preserve a scoreless draw on the road in Louisville and recorded four recoveries and four clearances defensively. 

D – Ayoze, Indy Eleven: Ayoze provided the assist on Indy’s game-winning goal to cap a stellar all-around display that saw him complete 57 of 69 passes and win 10 of 14 duels defensively. 

D – Amobi Okugo, Austin Bold FC: Okugo won all 10 of his duels, recorded 11 recoveries and seven clearances and completed 28 of 35 passes in Austin’s road draw against Orange County. 

M – Andrew Tinari, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Tinari recorded one assist and had a team-high five key passes as the Rowdies defeated the Red Bulls II 2-0 at Al Lang Stadium. 

M – Seth Casiple, Reno 1868 FC: Casiple provided the assist on Reno’s late equalizer in Tacoma and recorded eight key passes and eight recoveries over the contest while completing 58 of 72 passes. 

M – Christiano Francois, Ottawa Fury FC: Francois recorded a goal and two assists as Fury FC swept to an emphatic 3-0 victory on the road against Bethlehem Steel FC. 

M – Solomon Asante, Phoenix Rising FC: Asante had a goal and assist in his return to the starting lineup as Rising FC cruised to a 4-0 win against Las Vegas Lights FC. 

F – Jerome Kiesewetter, El Paso Locomotive FC: Kiesewetter scored twice to lead El Paso to a 3-1 victory against Sacramento Republic FC, which moved the expansion side into the playoff positions. 

F – Kevaughn Frater, New Mexico United: Frater scored his second hat trick of the regular season to lead New Mexico to a 3-1 victory on the road against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. 

F – Jose Angulo, Hartford Athletic: Angulo scored a pair of goals to lead the Athletic to their first victory in the league, and individually reached 50 regular-season tallies in his Championship career. 

Bench: Trey Muse (TAC), Jerry van Ewijk (OC), Tyler Pasher (IND), Maalique Foster (RGV), Kevon Lambert (PHX), Laurence Wyke (ATL), Juan Tejada (TBR)

Following a two-goal performance on Sunday afternoon against Loudoun United FC, Jose Angulo has been named to the USL Championship Team of the Week. Angulo’s two goals propelled Hartford to a 2-1 victory over Loudoun. The second goal was his 50th goal in his USL Championship career making him just the 6th player in Championship history to reach that mark. He is the first Hartford Athletic player to be named to a Team of the Week.

USL Championship Team of the Week 

GK – Mason Stajduhar, Tulsa Roughnecks FC: Stajduhar recorded seven saves to earn the Roughnecks a 1-1 draw on the road against San Antonio FC. 

D – Matt Bahner, Saint Louis FC: Bahner made a crucial goal-line clearance to preserve a scoreless draw on the road in Louisville and recorded four recoveries and four clearances defensively. 

D – Ayoze, Indy Eleven: Ayoze provided the assist on Indy’s game-winning goal to cap a stellar all-around display that saw him complete 57 of 69 passes and win 10 of 14 duels defensively. 

D – Amobi Okugo, Austin Bold FC: Okugo won all 10 of his duels, recorded 11 recoveries and seven clearances and completed 28 of 35 passes in Austin’s road draw against Orange County. 

M – Andrew Tinari, Tampa Bay Rowdies: Tinari recorded one assist and had a team-high five key passes as the Rowdies defeated the Red Bulls II 2-0 at Al Lang Stadium. 

M – Seth Casiple, Reno 1868 FC: Casiple provided the assist on Reno’s late equalizer in Tacoma and recorded eight key passes and eight recoveries over the contest while completing 58 of 72 passes. 

M – Christiano Francois, Ottawa Fury FC: Francois recorded a goal and two assists as Fury FC swept to an emphatic 3-0 victory on the road against Bethlehem Steel FC. 

M – Solomon Asante, Phoenix Rising FC: Asante had a goal and assist in his return to the starting lineup as Rising FC cruised to a 4-0 win against Las Vegas Lights FC. 

F – Jerome Kiesewetter, El Paso Locomotive FC: Kiesewetter scored twice to lead El Paso to a 3-1 victory against Sacramento Republic FC, which moved the expansion side into the playoff positions. 

F – Kevaughn Frater, New Mexico United: Frater scored his second hat trick of the regular season to lead New Mexico to a 3-1 victory on the road against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. 

F – Jose Angulo, Hartford Athletic: Angulo scored a pair of goals to lead the Athletic to their first victory in the league, and individually reached 50 regular-season tallies in his Championship career. 

Bench: Trey Muse (TAC), Jerry van Ewijk (OC), Tyler Pasher (IND), Maalique Foster (RGV), Kevon Lambert (PHX), Laurence Wyke (ATL), Juan Tejada (TBR)