News Archive

Think you know more about Hartford Athletic than every other fan? Now you can prove it with Trivia Tuesday presented by The Tavern Downtown!

It's simple to play, all you have to do is download the Hartford Athletic App, create a profile, and each Tuesday during the regular season, you'll be prompted with a new trivia question! Each correct answer gets you an entry into an end of season drawing for a Hartford Athletic Prize Pack which includes tickets, merchandise, and a gift card to The Tavern Downtown. The first question is live now so open your app and head over to the "Fan Hub" section to submit your answer!

Think you know more about Hartford Athletic than every other fan? Now you can prove it with Trivia Tuesday presented by The Tavern Downtown!

It’s simple to play, all you have to do is download the Hartford Athletic App, create a profile, and each Tuesday during the regular season, you’ll be prompted with a new trivia question! Each correct answer gets you an entry into an end of season drawing for a Hartford Athletic Prize Pack which includes tickets, merchandise, and a gift card to The Tavern Downtown. The first question is live now so open your app and head over to the “Fan Hub” section to submit your answer!

Hartford Athletic has signed defender Walid Yacoubou, pending league and federation approval.   

Yacoubou comes to Hartford with USL Championship experience, playing for Tulsa Roughnecks in 2019. After one season in Tulsa, he took his talents overseas signing for Portuguese Club SC Ideal. Yacoubou, who has bounced back and forth between Europe and the USA, first came to the states from Israel as a teenager. He played at Prince George’s Community College before transferring to North Carolina Wesleyan College. He spent time in the USL PDL with North Carolina FC U23s and had stints with clubs in the Czech Republic and Sweden before signing for Tulsa. 

“Walid has come in and shown his presence. A rock at the back, he provides us with more defensive steel and aggression,” said Hartford Athletic Head Coach Harry Watling. “Having played in the USL Championship and in Europe, it’s another great piece of business by the club to acquire another player with huge potential.” 

Hartford Athletic has now signed the following players for the 2021 season: 

Forward: Sebastian Elney, Bradford Jamieson IV, Walmer Martinez, Tabort Etaka Preston, Alfonso Vazquez 

Midfielder: Nii Armah Ashitey, Danny Barrera, Christian Gómez, Conor McGlynn, Luka Prpa, Arthur Rogers, Gabriel Torres 

Defender: Younes Boudadi, Nicolás Cardona, Thomas Janjigian, Alex Lara, Richie Schlentz, Walid Yacoubou 

Goalkeeper: Jeff Caldwell, Carlos Merancio 

Hartford Athletic kicks off its 2021 campaign on Friday, April 30, against New York Red Bulls II. The club will play a friendly match on Tuesday May 4th against New England Revolution II before its USL Championship Home Opener against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on May 15th. For fans interested in Season Tickets, 6-game Flex Plans, or Single Game tickets, please visit https://www.hartfordathletic.com/tickets.  

Hartford Athletic has signed defender Walid Yacoubou, pending league and federation approval.   

Yacoubou comes to Hartford with USL Championship experience, playing for Tulsa Roughnecks in 2019. After one season in Tulsa, he took his talents overseas signing for Portuguese Club SC Ideal. Yacoubou, who has bounced back and forth between Europe and the USA, first came to the states from Israel as a teenager. He played at Prince George’s Community College before transferring to North Carolina Wesleyan College. He spent time in the USL PDL with North Carolina FC U23s and had stints with clubs in the Czech Republic and Sweden before signing for Tulsa. 

“Walid has come in and shown his presence. A rock at the back, he provides us with more defensive steel and aggression,” said Hartford Athletic Head Coach Harry Watling. “Having played in the USL Championship and in Europe, it’s another great piece of business by the club to acquire another player with huge potential.” 

Hartford Athletic has now signed the following players for the 2021 season: 

Forward: Sebastian Elney, Bradford Jamieson IV, Walmer Martinez, Tabort Etaka Preston, Alfonso Vazquez 

Midfielder: Nii Armah Ashitey, Danny Barrera, Christian Gómez, Conor McGlynn, Luka Prpa, Arthur Rogers, Gabriel Torres 

Defender: Younes Boudadi, Nicolás Cardona, Thomas Janjigian, Alex Lara, Richie Schlentz, Walid Yacoubou 

Goalkeeper: Jeff Caldwell, Carlos Merancio 

Hartford Athletic kicks off its 2021 campaign on Friday, April 30, against New York Red Bulls II. The club will play a friendly match on Tuesday May 4th against New England Revolution II before its USL Championship Home Opener against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on May 15th. For fans interested in Season Tickets, 6-game Flex Plans, or Single Game tickets, please visit https://www.hartfordathletic.com/tickets.  

Following guidance from local government and health officials, we are pleased to announce that starting with our home match on May 29th we will be allowing 100% capacity at Dillon Stadium. Fans will still be required to wear masks while in the stadium and sanitation stations and other safety protocols will be in place. Matches on May 4th and May 15th will host fans at 50% capacity, as previously announced.

Following guidance from local government and health officials, we are pleased to announce that starting with our home match on May 29th we will be allowing 100% capacity at Dillon Stadium. Fans will still be required to wear masks while in the stadium and sanitation stations and other safety protocols will be in place. Matches on May 4th and May 15th will host fans at 50% capacity, as previously announced.

Background

Jeff Caldwell arrives in Hartford looking to fight for the role of starting goalkeeper. The North Carolina native had a standout college career at the University of Virgina, where he received All-ACC honors three times. While he was in college, he also played for Seattle Sounders FC U23 and Colorado Rapids U23 in USL PDL. He was drafter 19th overall in the 2019 MLS Superdraft by NYCFC. He was loaned out to fellow USL Championship club Memphis 901 FC, where he had six clean sheets in 28 games. One of those games was a victory against Athletic in what was the club’s second ever home game. 

Caldwell also has national team experience. He played in the 2013 U-17 Concacaf Tournament and the 2015 U-20 World Cup.

What to Watch For

• Great reactions and explosiveness to make diving saves
• Aggressiveness in 1v1 situations
• Great distributor both with his feet and both of his hands that allow the team to start play from the back.

Highlights

Background

Jeff Caldwell arrives in Hartford looking to fight for the role of starting goalkeeper. The North Carolina native had a standout college career at the University of Virgina, where he received All-ACC honors three times. While he was in college, he also played for Seattle Sounders FC U23 and Colorado Rapids U23 in USL PDL. He was drafter 19th overall in the 2019 MLS Superdraft by NYCFC. He was loaned out to fellow USL Championship club Memphis 901 FC, where he had six clean sheets in 28 games. One of those games was a victory against Athletic in what was the club’s second ever home game. 

Caldwell also has national team experience. He played in the 2013 U-17 Concacaf Tournament and the 2015 U-20 World Cup.

What to Watch For

• Great reactions and explosiveness to make diving saves
• Aggressiveness in 1v1 situations
• Great distributor both with his feet and both of his hands that allow the team to start play from the back.

Highlights

Coach's Corner

"Jeff comes with very good pedigree . A draft MLS pick for NYCFC in 2018, he provides a wide range of skills both offensively and defensively to keep in goal. Good presence is something we needed and Jeff provides that in abundance ." – Coach Watling

Coach’s Corner

“Jeff comes with very good pedigree . A draft MLS pick for NYCFC in 2018, he provides a wide range of skills both offensively and defensively to keep in goal. Good presence is something we needed and Jeff provides that in abundance .” – Coach Watling

Background

Richie Schlentz arrives in Hartford ready to compete for a role in the team's back-line. Schlentz had a very solid college career at Villanova, becoming an every-game starter his last two seasons in a Wildcat uniform, commanding the left-back position. During his last two seasons Schlentz only missed one game. After graduating from Villanova, the now 23-year-old played NPSL soccer for West Chester United, and in USL League Two for Reading United FC, appearing in two games in the U.S. Open Cup in 2019, one of which came against USL Championship side Louisville City.

What to Watch For

• Great athleticism that allows him to keep strong level during the whole 90 minutes both offensively and defensively.
• Great technique for crossing and putting dangerous balls in the box for teammates to score.
• Very consistent and adaptable to play in different areas of the field and able to adjust to different in-game scenarios.

Highlights

Background

Richie Schlentz arrives in Hartford ready to compete for a role in the team’s back-line. Schlentz had a very solid college career at Villanova, becoming an every-game starter his last two seasons in a Wildcat uniform, commanding the left-back position. During his last two seasons Schlentz only missed one game. After graduating from Villanova, the now 23-year-old played NPSL soccer for West Chester United, and in USL League Two for Reading United FC, appearing in two games in the U.S. Open Cup in 2019, one of which came against USL Championship side Louisville City.

What to Watch For

• Great athleticism that allows him to keep strong level during the whole 90 minutes both offensively and defensively.
• Great technique for crossing and putting dangerous balls in the box for teammates to score.
• Very consistent and adaptable to play in different areas of the field and able to adjust to different in-game scenarios.

Highlights

Richie's Take

"I'm thrilled to start my professional career here in Hartford. The club has made great strides over its first two years and I am excited to be part of the continued growth on and off the pitch. Our goal is to get back to the playoffs and make a run and I intend to do everything I can to make that a reality."

Coach's Corner

"Richie came in and pushed himself straight from the off. He makes excellent deliveries from wide and will provide the team with lots of assists . His ability to get up and down the pitch is also key to how we want to play." – Coach Watling

Richie’s Take

“I’m thrilled to start my professional career here in Hartford. The club has made great strides over its first two years and I am excited to be part of the continued growth on and off the pitch. Our goal is to get back to the playoffs and make a run and I intend to do everything I can to make that a reality.”

Coach’s Corner

“Richie came in and pushed himself straight from the off. He makes excellent deliveries from wide and will provide the team with lots of assists . His ability to get up and down the pitch is also key to how we want to play.” – Coach Watling

The USL Championship announced today its playoff structure for the 2021 season, which will feature 16 teams when the regular season concludes in the last weekend of October.

Following the announcement of the Championship’s divisional alignment in March, the top four teams from each division in the regular season will advance into a regionalized single-elimination bracket. The top two clubs in each of the Atlantic, Central, Mountain and Pacific Divisions will earn hosting rights in the Eastern and Western Conference Quarterfinals, regardless of total points. 

Last season, Hartford Athletic qualified for the playoffs for the first time in its young history by winning regional Group F.  The Boys in Green fell to Saint Louis FC 1-0 in the first every playoff match at Dillon Stadium. Hartford will compete in the USL's Atlantic Division in 2021 as they look to qualify for the playoffs for a second consecutive season.

Division winners will be matched with the fourth-place team, while second-placed teams will meet third-placed teams from the opposing division in the Conference Quarterfinals, matching up teams from the Atlantic Division and Central Division in the Eastern Conference and the Mountain and Pacific Division in the Western Conference. 

Following the Conference Quarterfinals round, home advantage will be determined by total points earned, regardless of division rank, for the remainder of the postseason.

The Championship season will conclude with the USL Championship Final on Sunday, November 28 with kickoff set for 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN or ESPN 2 and ESPN Deportes.

The USL Championship announced today its playoff structure for the 2021 season, which will feature 16 teams when the regular season concludes in the last weekend of October.

Following the announcement of the Championship’s divisional alignment in March, the top four teams from each division in the regular season will advance into a regionalized single-elimination bracket. The top two clubs in each of the Atlantic, Central, Mountain and Pacific Divisions will earn hosting rights in the Eastern and Western Conference Quarterfinals, regardless of total points. 

Last season, Hartford Athletic qualified for the playoffs for the first time in its young history by winning regional Group F.  The Boys in Green fell to Saint Louis FC 1-0 in the first every playoff match at Dillon Stadium. Hartford will compete in the USL’s Atlantic Division in 2021 as they look to qualify for the playoffs for a second consecutive season.

Division winners will be matched with the fourth-place team, while second-placed teams will meet third-placed teams from the opposing division in the Conference Quarterfinals, matching up teams from the Atlantic Division and Central Division in the Eastern Conference and the Mountain and Pacific Division in the Western Conference. 

Following the Conference Quarterfinals round, home advantage will be determined by total points earned, regardless of division rank, for the remainder of the postseason.

The Championship season will conclude with the USL Championship Final on Sunday, November 28 with kickoff set for 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN or ESPN 2 and ESPN Deportes.

Background

Martinez arrives in Hartford to compete for a role in the teams attacking line. Walmer was invited to participate in the Invitational Combine and earned his way into preseason training. After a promising preseason, he was offered a professional contract. The Santa Cruz, CA, native had a standout college career at California State University Monterey Bay where he scored 17 goals and recorded 13 assists in only two seasons. His 13 goals during his senior season rank second-most in California Collegiate Athletic Association. He finished his career as an otter 2nd all time in assists, 4th in points and 5th in goals. His 9 assists in his junior season remain a school record. Martinez also played for USL League Two side, Santa Cruz Breakers during the 2018 season, where he stored 4 goals in 12 appearances.

What to Watch For

• Aggressive, not afraid to take people on 1v1, utilizing his power and speed to his advantage.
• He is both a finisher and a creator, having him on the pitch will result in opportunities to score.
• High motor, keeps the defenders on their toes both with and without the ball, constantly putting pressure.

Highlights

Background

Martinez arrives in Hartford to compete for a role in the teams attacking line. Walmer was invited to participate in the Invitational Combine and earned his way into preseason training. After a promising preseason, he was offered a professional contract. The Santa Cruz, CA, native had a standout college career at California State University Monterey Bay where he scored 17 goals and recorded 13 assists in only two seasons. His 13 goals during his senior season rank second-most in California Collegiate Athletic Association. He finished his career as an otter 2nd all time in assists, 4th in points and 5th in goals. His 9 assists in his junior season remain a school record. Martinez also played for USL League Two side, Santa Cruz Breakers during the 2018 season, where he stored 4 goals in 12 appearances.

What to Watch For

• Aggressive, not afraid to take people on 1v1, utilizing his power and speed to his advantage.
• He is both a finisher and a creator, having him on the pitch will result in opportunities to score.
• High motor, keeps the defenders on their toes both with and without the ball, constantly putting pressure.

Highlights

Walmer's Take

"This is my first professional contract and I know that Coach Watling and this club will give me the guidance I need to continue to grow as a player and a person. I'm so excited to be here in Hartford and I can't wait to put on a show for our incredible fans!"

Coach's Corner

“It is always a pleasure to offer a player a pro contract. Walmer has earned the right to be here. He is an excellent finisher and versatile player, able to play across the whole front line. His energy and passion match mine as the Head Coach." – Coach Watling

Walmer’s Take

“This is my first professional contract and I know that Coach Watling and this club will give me the guidance I need to continue to grow as a player and a person. I’m so excited to be here in Hartford and I can’t wait to put on a show for our incredible fans!”

Coach’s Corner

“It is always a pleasure to offer a player a pro contract. Walmer has earned the right to be here. He is an excellent finisher and versatile player, able to play across the whole front line. His energy and passion match mine as the Head Coach.” – Coach Watling

Hartford Athletic announced today that Luiz Silva has been promoted to Technical Director. Silva is the first Technical Director in the Club’s history. 

"We are very excited to promote Luiz into the Technical Director Role,” said Hartford Athletic Chairman Bruce Mandell. “In just a few short years, Luiz has proven his eye for talent and ability to develop players. He has also been instrumental in building out our processes and technology to maximize performance as well as establishing and expanding partnerships with Southampton FC, Leyton Orient FC and AC Connecticut. We look forward to seeing our Club continue to grow under his direction.”  

As Technical Director, Silva will drive recruiting, player acquisition, and performance analysis for Hartford Athletic along with Head Coach Harry Watling and Paul Buckle who continues to serve as Special Advisor to Chairman Bruce Mandell. Player development, club partnerships and the development and implementation of a pathway to the pros for young local talent will also be key components of Silva’s new role. 

"I want to thank the entire organization for trusting me to be Hartford Athletic’s first Technical Director,” Silva said. “Hartford Athletic is a club that is growing exponentially, and I am thrilled to be a part of it. We will continue to seek the growth of our processes, pursuing excellence in every detail from recruitment and performance to the alliances and their outcomes on the sports and business perspectives of the game. My goal is to make Hartford Athletic even more prominent in the USL and the United States so that we can continue to increase our presence in soccer across the globe.” 

Silva was hired by the club in 2019 as the Director of Scouting and Performance Analysis. Before the pandemic shortened 2020 season returned to play, Silva was named Assistant Coach to Head Coach Radhi Jaïdi along with his duties in the Scouting Department. Silva, who was also named Assistant Coach for Coach Watling, will continue to serve in that role. 

Hartford Athletic kicks off its 2021 campaign on April 30th on the road against New York Red Bulls II. The club plays its first regular season home match on May 15th at 7 PM against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Fans interested in Season Tickets, 6-game Flex Plans, and Single Game tickets should visit https://www.hartfordathletic.com/tickets for more information.  

Hartford Athletic announced today that Luiz Silva has been promoted to Technical Director. Silva is the first Technical Director in the Club’s history. 

“We are very excited to promote Luiz into the Technical Director Role,” said Hartford Athletic Chairman Bruce Mandell. “In just a few short years, Luiz has proven his eye for talent and ability to develop players. He has also been instrumental in building out our processes and technology to maximize performance as well as establishing and expanding partnerships with Southampton FC, Leyton Orient FC and AC Connecticut. We look forward to seeing our Club continue to grow under his direction.”  

As Technical Director, Silva will drive recruiting, player acquisition, and performance analysis for Hartford Athletic along with Head Coach Harry Watling and Paul Buckle who continues to serve as Special Advisor to Chairman Bruce Mandell. Player development, club partnerships and the development and implementation of a pathway to the pros for young local talent will also be key components of Silva’s new role. 

“I want to thank the entire organization for trusting me to be Hartford Athletic’s first Technical Director,” Silva said. “Hartford Athletic is a club that is growing exponentially, and I am thrilled to be a part of it. We will continue to seek the growth of our processes, pursuing excellence in every detail from recruitment and performance to the alliances and their outcomes on the sports and business perspectives of the game. My goal is to make Hartford Athletic even more prominent in the USL and the United States so that we can continue to increase our presence in soccer across the globe.” 

Silva was hired by the club in 2019 as the Director of Scouting and Performance Analysis. Before the pandemic shortened 2020 season returned to play, Silva was named Assistant Coach to Head Coach Radhi Jaïdi along with his duties in the Scouting Department. Silva, who was also named Assistant Coach for Coach Watling, will continue to serve in that role. 

Hartford Athletic kicks off its 2021 campaign on April 30th on the road against New York Red Bulls II. The club plays its first regular season home match on May 15th at 7 PM against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Fans interested in Season Tickets, 6-game Flex Plans, and Single Game tickets should visit https://www.hartfordathletic.com/tickets for more information.  

Hartford Athletic has signed defender Richie Schlentz, pending league and federation approval.  

Schlentz became a mainstay at left back for Villanova University during his Junior and Senior seasons, missing only one game over two years. After graduating from Villanova in 2020, he made stops at NPSL side West Chester United and USL League Two side Reading United AC. Schlentz made two US Open Cup appearances for Reading, including a match against Championship side Louisville City FC.  

“Richie came in and pushed himself straight from the get go,” said Hartford Athletic Head Coach Harry Watling. “He makes excellent deliveries from wide and will provide the team with lots of assists. His ability to get up and down the pitch is also key to how we want to play.” 

Hartford Athletic has now signed the following players for the 2021 season: 

Forward: Sebastian Elney, Bradford Jamieson IV, Walmer Martinez, Preston Tabort Etaka, Alfonso Vazquez 

Midfielder: Nii Armah Ashitey, Danny Barrera, Christian Gómez, Conor McGlynn, Luka Prpa, Arthur Rogers, Gabriel Torres 

Defender: Younes Boudadi, Nicolás Cardona, Thomas Janjigian, Alex Lara, Richie Schlentz 

Goalkeeper: Jeff Caldwell, Carlos Merancio 

More signings will be announced in the coming weeks. 

Hartford Athletic has signed defender Richie Schlentz, pending league and federation approval.  

Schlentz became a mainstay at left back for Villanova University during his Junior and Senior seasons, missing only one game over two years. After graduating from Villanova in 2020, he made stops at NPSL side West Chester United and USL League Two side Reading United AC. Schlentz made two US Open Cup appearances for Reading, including a match against Championship side Louisville City FC.  

“Richie came in and pushed himself straight from the get go,” said Hartford Athletic Head Coach Harry Watling. “He makes excellent deliveries from wide and will provide the team with lots of assists. His ability to get up and down the pitch is also key to how we want to play.” 

Hartford Athletic has now signed the following players for the 2021 season: 

Forward: Sebastian Elney, Bradford Jamieson IV, Walmer Martinez, Preston Tabort Etaka, Alfonso Vazquez 

Midfielder: Nii Armah Ashitey, Danny Barrera, Christian Gómez, Conor McGlynn, Luka Prpa, Arthur Rogers, Gabriel Torres 

Defender: Younes Boudadi, Nicolás Cardona, Thomas Janjigian, Alex Lara, Richie Schlentz 

Goalkeeper: Jeff Caldwell, Carlos Merancio 

More signings will be announced in the coming weeks.