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This story was originally published on New England Soccer Journal. Hartford Athletic supporters can apply the code HA25 at checkout for 25% off either a year-long digital or all-access subscription. Launched in March 2013, New England Soccer Journal covers youth soccer up to the professional ranks across the entire region. Click here for more info and to subscribe.

Editor's Note: This article was written prior to the postponement of the start of the 2020 Season.

Last season with Hartford Athletic, Mac Steeves (Needham, Mass.) noticed how certain teammates seemed to never get injured or sick.

How did guys like midfielder Nicky Downs (Lakeville, Conn.) and forward Jose Angulo do it? The answer, at least in part, was a vegetarian diet.

For a forward who was limited to two goals in 15 appearances due to several muscular injuries, Steeves didn’t need much convincing. He’d modify his diet completely, all to get his body right for the 2020 USL Championship season.

“The first month was tough and I honestly thought it kinda sucked,” Steeves told New England Soccer Journal after re-signing with Harford last week. “I’ve always had chicken in my diet, things like that. So it was finding the right balance of what I like, what I can whip up quickly or eat out.

“Since two months into it, I noticed I’d go on a treadmill run and run three miles. Normally, I’d be exhausted and sore the next day. Now, I wake up after that and am ready to go, still have all the energy. I don’t know if it’s completely because of going vegetarian, but it doesn’t hurt.”

The change arrives as Steeves’ injury history grows, with a gash on his Achilles tendon, plus strains to his calf, groin and quad all occurring in 2019. In 2018, while playing with MLS club Houston Dynamo, Steeves underwent bilateral hip surgery. He also missed almost his entire 2016 season at Providence College after having bilateral sports hernia surgery.

Each injury gets tougher to deal with, Steeves said, and takes a toll, as it would for anybody. So, he’s open to new approaches.

“I’m just trying anything I can to avoid any injuries moving forward,” Steeves, 25, said. “I want to be on the field, not watching from afar or the sidelines.”

For breakfast, Steeves often has oatmeal with bananas and berries. Protein shakes have become a bigger part of his diet, and lunch and dinner tend to include rice, beans and vegetables. One of his go-tos lately? Eggplant parmesan.

This proactive approach hasn’t been limited to diet, though. Steeves has looked into yoga and pilates to increase his flexibility and range of motion. Muscle pliability, which New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady pushed into the mainstream, has been another area of focus.

Steeves has even considered taking up martial arts, noting that Zlatan Ibrahimovic has a black belt in taekwondo. They’re similarly nimble for big-framed strikers, with Steeves measuring 6-foot-4 and Ibrahimovic at 6-foot-5.

“If I can move my body in certain ways, then it reduces the risk of pulling something by overextending,” Steeves said. “If I can avoid those little things, it’ll make a difference with staying on the field and staying healthy. It’s mostly flexibility work, strengthening the tissue and learning to contort my body more.”

These changes could propel Steeves to his first fully-healthy season in years. Conversely, he’s wondered how long his professional career will last should the injuries mount up.

“I still have the desire to play, I want to be out there and get back to my old level,” Steeves said. “ … Now, if I get injured, it’s not because of anything I could have been doing differently. It’s me doing literally everything possible to hold myself accountable.”

That hope is also rooted in Steeves’ résumé ahead of his third professional season. He was named the 2012 Gatorade Player of the Year in Massachusetts after leading Needham High School to a state championship as a senior, plus played extensively for the Boston Bolts. At Providence, he’s second all-time in goals (35) and points (82), and was a central figure on the 2014 College Cup team that sparked the Friars’ current run under head coach Craig Stewart.

After impressing at Providence, Steeves was drafted by Houston in 2018, but only appeared in three matches as a substitute and two more with Rio Grande Valley FC Toros, their USL affiliate. Despite some injuries with Hartford, he scored the first home goal in club history and tallied in their final match of 2019, a friendly against Jamaican side Portmore United FC.

Naturally, Steeves still holds aspirations of making an MLS return, but has also adjusted his goals.

“Short-term, I want to be an impact player on this team, I want to help Hartford get on the map more,” Steeves said. “I’d love for us to be a team in the top half of the table instead of the bottom half.

“Long-term I’d love to be a guy who’s scoring double digits in the USL and maybe get a shot in MLS again. Is that last part possible? Maybe. If it’s not, then I’m happy being a guy who’s banging in goals at the USL level. It’s not something that’ll make or break how I view success. Whatever ends up happening, I’ll be able to live with it.”

To achieve that, Steeves will have to impress new head coach Radhi Jaidi, who’s come over from Southampton FC’s U-23 team. The second-year club will convene for preseason this week, as will Downs (Yale/Hotchkiss/Black Rock FC) and Northeastern product Harry Swartz (Needham, Mass.), another Boston Bolts alum. They’ll need serious improvements from last year’s 8-21-5 record and second-to-last place finish in the Eastern Conference.

This new era could bode well for Steeves, with his diet and exercise changes providing a solid base.

“I’ve had a full offseason being completely healthy, no injuries,” Steeves said. “I truly feel I’ve put myself in a position where I can be an impact player for this club.”

This story was originally published on New England Soccer Journal. Hartford Athletic supporters can apply the code HA25 at checkout for 25% off either a year-long digital or all-access subscription. Launched in March 2013, New England Soccer Journal covers youth soccer up to the professional ranks across the entire region. Click here for more info and to subscribe.

Editor’s Note: This article was written prior to the postponement of the start of the 2020 Season.

Last season with Hartford Athletic, Mac Steeves (Needham, Mass.) noticed how certain teammates seemed to never get injured or sick.

How did guys like midfielder Nicky Downs (Lakeville, Conn.) and forward Jose Angulo do it? The answer, at least in part, was a vegetarian diet.

For a forward who was limited to two goals in 15 appearances due to several muscular injuries, Steeves didn’t need much convincing. He’d modify his diet completely, all to get his body right for the 2020 USL Championship season.

“The first month was tough and I honestly thought it kinda sucked,” Steeves told New England Soccer Journal after re-signing with Harford last week. “I’ve always had chicken in my diet, things like that. So it was finding the right balance of what I like, what I can whip up quickly or eat out.

“Since two months into it, I noticed I’d go on a treadmill run and run three miles. Normally, I’d be exhausted and sore the next day. Now, I wake up after that and am ready to go, still have all the energy. I don’t know if it’s completely because of going vegetarian, but it doesn’t hurt.”

The change arrives as Steeves’ injury history grows, with a gash on his Achilles tendon, plus strains to his calf, groin and quad all occurring in 2019. In 2018, while playing with MLS club Houston Dynamo, Steeves underwent bilateral hip surgery. He also missed almost his entire 2016 season at Providence College after having bilateral sports hernia surgery.

Each injury gets tougher to deal with, Steeves said, and takes a toll, as it would for anybody. So, he’s open to new approaches.

“I’m just trying anything I can to avoid any injuries moving forward,” Steeves, 25, said. “I want to be on the field, not watching from afar or the sidelines.”

For breakfast, Steeves often has oatmeal with bananas and berries. Protein shakes have become a bigger part of his diet, and lunch and dinner tend to include rice, beans and vegetables. One of his go-tos lately? Eggplant parmesan.

This proactive approach hasn’t been limited to diet, though. Steeves has looked into yoga and pilates to increase his flexibility and range of motion. Muscle pliability, which New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady pushed into the mainstream, has been another area of focus.

Steeves has even considered taking up martial arts, noting that Zlatan Ibrahimovic has a black belt in taekwondo. They’re similarly nimble for big-framed strikers, with Steeves measuring 6-foot-4 and Ibrahimovic at 6-foot-5.

“If I can move my body in certain ways, then it reduces the risk of pulling something by overextending,” Steeves said. “If I can avoid those little things, it’ll make a difference with staying on the field and staying healthy. It’s mostly flexibility work, strengthening the tissue and learning to contort my body more.”

These changes could propel Steeves to his first fully-healthy season in years. Conversely, he’s wondered how long his professional career will last should the injuries mount up.

“I still have the desire to play, I want to be out there and get back to my old level,” Steeves said. “ … Now, if I get injured, it’s not because of anything I could have been doing differently. It’s me doing literally everything possible to hold myself accountable.”

That hope is also rooted in Steeves’ résumé ahead of his third professional season. He was named the 2012 Gatorade Player of the Year in Massachusetts after leading Needham High School to a state championship as a senior, plus played extensively for the Boston Bolts. At Providence, he’s second all-time in goals (35) and points (82), and was a central figure on the 2014 College Cup team that sparked the Friars’ current run under head coach Craig Stewart.

After impressing at Providence, Steeves was drafted by Houston in 2018, but only appeared in three matches as a substitute and two more with Rio Grande Valley FC Toros, their USL affiliate. Despite some injuries with Hartford, he scored the first home goal in club history and tallied in their final match of 2019, a friendly against Jamaican side Portmore United FC.

Naturally, Steeves still holds aspirations of making an MLS return, but has also adjusted his goals.

“Short-term, I want to be an impact player on this team, I want to help Hartford get on the map more,” Steeves said. “I’d love for us to be a team in the top half of the table instead of the bottom half.

“Long-term I’d love to be a guy who’s scoring double digits in the USL and maybe get a shot in MLS again. Is that last part possible? Maybe. If it’s not, then I’m happy being a guy who’s banging in goals at the USL level. It’s not something that’ll make or break how I view success. Whatever ends up happening, I’ll be able to live with it.”

To achieve that, Steeves will have to impress new head coach Radhi Jaidi, who’s come over from Southampton FC’s U-23 team. The second-year club will convene for preseason this week, as will Downs (Yale/Hotchkiss/Black Rock FC) and Northeastern product Harry Swartz (Needham, Mass.), another Boston Bolts alum. They’ll need serious improvements from last year’s 8-21-5 record and second-to-last place finish in the Eastern Conference.

This new era could bode well for Steeves, with his diet and exercise changes providing a solid base.

“I’ve had a full offseason being completely healthy, no injuries,” Steeves said. “I truly feel I’ve put myself in a position where I can be an impact player for this club.”

This story was originally published in New England Soccer Journal. Hartford Athletic supporters can apply the code HA25 at checkout for 25% off either a year-long digital or all-access subscription. Launched in March 2013, New England Soccer Journal covers youth soccer up to the professional ranks across the entire region. Click here for more info and to subscribe.

Heading into the 2020 Season New England Soccer Journal highlighted five storylines to look out for — check them out here!

New coach bump?

Eagerness surrounded what expansion coach Jimmy Nielsen could accomplish in Hartford, especially since he led an identical project at OKC Energy FC back in 2014. But things never quite panned out, as Hartford went 8-21-5 and finished 17th overall (second from last) in the Eastern Conference standings.

So, the club and Nielsen parted ways last October, opening the door for a new direction. They ultimately turned to former Southampton U-23 boss Radhi Jaidi last November as part of an expanding partnership between Hartford and the English Premier League club.

We’ll have more on Jaidi’s vision for the club in our Spring 2020 magazine, but the early feedback from players has been positive. It’ll be interesting to see what sort of boost Jaidi’s presence gives the roster, though it’s worth noting that only eight players are back from last year’s team.

Impact of on-loan players

Hartford starts its 2020 season with goalkeeper Parfait Mandanda and midfielder Tyreke Johnson both on loan from European clubs. They’ll certainly have something to prove to their parent sides, with Mandanda over from Belgian top-flight side Sporting Charleroi and Johnson over from Southampton.

Johnson, a 21-year-old winger, could be the most intriguing of the two, since he played for Jaidi on Southampton’s U-23 team and made his Premier League debut last season against Arsenal. As for Mandanda, the 30-year-old brings experience between the sticks alongside returner Mike Novotny. Most notably, Mandanda has earned seven caps for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and helped his country to a third-place finish at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

As much as domestic players with ambition form the spine of most USL Championship teams, experience from abroad can also prove fruitful. Odds are Johnson and Mandanda will play big roles, too.

Double-digit scorer?

Amid a busy offseason, one of Hartford’s most impactful signings could be forward Evér Guzman. The 31-year-old joins after spending three seasons with fellow USL Championship club San Antonio FC, where he managed 25 goals and six assists through 65 games.

Guzman hovered around the 10-goal mark during his last two seasons with San Antonio, which could prove massive for a Hartford team that saw leading scorer Wojciech Wojcik depart this offseason for USL League One club Forward Madison FC. Wojcik had a decent return of seven goals, but they’ll need a true goalscorer to step up in 2020.

Perhaps Guzman can do exactly that, as he played in Mexico from 2004-17 with notable stops at Morelia and Veracruz. He was also part of the Mexico team that won the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship, where he starred alongside reigning MLS MVP Carlos Vela.

The local contingent

While there aren’t Homegrown Players like with the New England Revolution, there’s something special about the local presence that can be found on Hartford’s roster.

Two of the players, defender/midfielder Harry Swartz (Needham, Mass.) and forward Mac Steeves (Needham, Mass.) go way back in the youth soccer ranks. They both have roots at the Boston Bolts, only for Swartz to thrive at Northeastern and Steeves to star at Providence College. As for the other local, former Yale midfielder Nicky Downs (Lakeville, Conn.)enjoys a key roll. Before turning pro, he also played for Hotchkiss and with Black Rock FC.

Local success stories gives the fans something extra to get behind, and all three players should enjoy significant roles.

Playoff dreams

As Hartford looks to avoid a sophomore slump, a push into the playoff fray would do wonders for the club. Comparatively, they were truly out of the race by mid-August last year.

That’s not to say that anybody is expecting Hartford to win the USL Championship Final, but being in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt is an entirely realistic ask for the second-year side. It’s up to Jaidi to steer Hartford in that direction across the 34-game regular season.

The match further favors Hartford, with 10 teams from the East and West both making the playoffs, starting with the Wild Card Round on Oct. 21. The final will be held Nov. 12-16, with the specific date to be determined.

This story was originally published in New England Soccer Journal. Hartford Athletic supporters can apply the code HA25 at checkout for 25% off either a year-long digital or all-access subscription. Launched in March 2013, New England Soccer Journal covers youth soccer up to the professional ranks across the entire region. Click here for more info and to subscribe.

Heading into the 2020 Season New England Soccer Journal highlighted five storylines to look out for — check them out here!

New coach bump?

Eagerness surrounded what expansion coach Jimmy Nielsen could accomplish in Hartford, especially since he led an identical project at OKC Energy FC back in 2014. But things never quite panned out, as Hartford went 8-21-5 and finished 17th overall (second from last) in the Eastern Conference standings.

So, the club and Nielsen parted ways last October, opening the door for a new direction. They ultimately turned to former Southampton U-23 boss Radhi Jaidi last November as part of an expanding partnership between Hartford and the English Premier League club.

We’ll have more on Jaidi’s vision for the club in our Spring 2020 magazine, but the early feedback from players has been positive. It’ll be interesting to see what sort of boost Jaidi’s presence gives the roster, though it’s worth noting that only eight players are back from last year’s team.

Impact of on-loan players

Hartford starts its 2020 season with goalkeeper Parfait Mandanda and midfielder Tyreke Johnson both on loan from European clubs. They’ll certainly have something to prove to their parent sides, with Mandanda over from Belgian top-flight side Sporting Charleroi and Johnson over from Southampton.

Johnson, a 21-year-old winger, could be the most intriguing of the two, since he played for Jaidi on Southampton’s U-23 team and made his Premier League debut last season against Arsenal. As for Mandanda, the 30-year-old brings experience between the sticks alongside returner Mike Novotny. Most notably, Mandanda has earned seven caps for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and helped his country to a third-place finish at the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

As much as domestic players with ambition form the spine of most USL Championship teams, experience from abroad can also prove fruitful. Odds are Johnson and Mandanda will play big roles, too.

Double-digit scorer?

Amid a busy offseason, one of Hartford’s most impactful signings could be forward Evér Guzman. The 31-year-old joins after spending three seasons with fellow USL Championship club San Antonio FC, where he managed 25 goals and six assists through 65 games.

Guzman hovered around the 10-goal mark during his last two seasons with San Antonio, which could prove massive for a Hartford team that saw leading scorer Wojciech Wojcik depart this offseason for USL League One club Forward Madison FC. Wojcik had a decent return of seven goals, but they’ll need a true goalscorer to step up in 2020.

Perhaps Guzman can do exactly that, as he played in Mexico from 2004-17 with notable stops at Morelia and Veracruz. He was also part of the Mexico team that won the 2005 FIFA U-17 World Championship, where he starred alongside reigning MLS MVP Carlos Vela.

The local contingent

While there aren’t Homegrown Players like with the New England Revolution, there’s something special about the local presence that can be found on Hartford’s roster.

Two of the players, defender/midfielder Harry Swartz (Needham, Mass.) and forward Mac Steeves (Needham, Mass.) go way back in the youth soccer ranks. They both have roots at the Boston Bolts, only for Swartz to thrive at Northeastern and Steeves to star at Providence College. As for the other local, former Yale midfielder Nicky Downs (Lakeville, Conn.)enjoys a key roll. Before turning pro, he also played for Hotchkiss and with Black Rock FC.

Local success stories gives the fans something extra to get behind, and all three players should enjoy significant roles.

Playoff dreams

As Hartford looks to avoid a sophomore slump, a push into the playoff fray would do wonders for the club. Comparatively, they were truly out of the race by mid-August last year.

That’s not to say that anybody is expecting Hartford to win the USL Championship Final, but being in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt is an entirely realistic ask for the second-year side. It’s up to Jaidi to steer Hartford in that direction across the 34-game regular season.

The match further favors Hartford, with 10 teams from the East and West both making the playoffs, starting with the Wild Card Round on Oct. 21. The final will be held Nov. 12-16, with the specific date to be determined.

Welcome back to our 20 Questions series! Our goal is to help you better get to know the players you see on the pitch week in and week out. For anyone who missed the first edition with Harry Swartz, click here to read it. We spoke with Alex Dixon who returns for his second season in Hartford to talk about the upcoming season, quarantine, and whatever else popped into our heads. Enjoy!

1. What are you doing in the middle of the quarantine?

AD: I'm trying out a bunch of different recipes. I'm going on a lot of walks, just trying to get out of the house as much as possible. I've been watching some shows, reading some books. I'm just trying to do anything without going crazy considering we're locked up pretty much 24/7 right now.

2. What recipes are you cooking?

AD: Last night I made a crock pot Carne Asada for a little Taco Tuesday. That's the first time I've made it. It came out pretty good so it's gonna be a staple in the household from now on.

3. Do you have a favorite thing to cook?

AD: No, not anything in particular I just like trying out new things. I'll search around the internet to find recipes. Whatever I'm feeling that day, I'll just try something out, but I'm pretty open to almost anything.

4. What's on the plate for Alex Dixon's last meal? 

AD: If I have to have one final meal of all time I'm getting jerk chicken, rice and peas, couple of beef patties, cola champagne. That would be it. That goes straight back to the Jamaican side and I would go all out with that. 

5. What has it been like learning from Coach?

AD: It's been great. He's very detail oriented, so you have to be switched on all the time. I'm learning some new concepts. It's my 10th year, and you don't really think that you'd be learning so many new things at this point in time but he's brought in a lot of new ideas, different ways to look at the game, so it's been good, it's been exciting and it makes me want to play that much more.

6. How has he helped you see the game differently? 

AD: I'm kind of in a different role as far as where I'm playing this year, so I'm trying to learn those new movements up top and playing with a second striker. I'm not only learning where I'm at, but trying to be switched on and know where everybody else is on the field as well. That's one of the big things, just knowing whenever one guy starts drifting wide, what hole you need to fill into, or if somebody is making that run ahead of you, what you need to do, and know certain types of situations. It's been a lot of information but it's been a lot of good information and it's been fun. 

7. How do you like this system compared to other systems you've played before?

AD: It's a little different. It's very intense, you know we're going to be pressing a lot which I like. I think we're gonna get a bunch of chances, we're not going to give up too many goals, it's just going to be a solid all around system. It's the first time I've played this style, but I'm enjoying it so far. It's learning, which, you know, every player wants to keep learning and just having to stay engaged. There's no days off. 

8. What is a fun fact about you that most fans don't know?

AD: I love to read. I'm constantly reading something from the moment I wake up to when I go to bed, even if its Twitter or whatever else. I'm reading 24-7. 

9. Do you have a favorite book?

AD: Growing up, obviously the Harry Potter series. Those are the books that got me into reading. Right now I am reading Pep Guardiola's book. It goes into the insights of how he got Barcelona from where they were to becoming the best club team on earth, so that's an interesting read that I'm going through right now. It's an interesting read of the tactical approach, how he worked with Messi, how he got those guys to go from the style of play that they were playing into what he wanted. I haven't reached the back end of it yet, but I think it's supposed to touch on Manchester City as well.

10. If Alex Dixon wasn't a pro soccer player he would be what?

AD: That's a tough one. I don't know, maybe like a backup dancer or something? I've got some decent dancing skills but nothing crazy. Maybe if I put all my energy into that I'd be a better dancer. That's all I can really think of right now. Or maybe I'd be a writer or something. 

11. Have you given any thought to trying to write something?

AD: No, the idea of putting my thoughts down on paper – I've gotten into journaling, a lot more recently, but I'm not the kind of person who likes being the center of attention or having my stuff out there. I realize that is kind of weird because being a professional soccer player, you're always out there in front of crowds and everything but I'm just not the attention seeking kind of person. 

12. Journaling, as I understand, is therapeutic for some people. Is there a particular reason that you've started journaling?

AD: For that reason, right there. There's a lot of stuff going on right now and throughout life and I try to get my thoughts down on paper and try to analyze and cope with everything. But that's been the main reason, it's like a little form of meditation in a way and I'm trying to become more calm and well rounded.

13. Last year, you finished tied for third on the team in goals scored and tied for first on the team in assists. What do you have to do to replicate your on field success this year?

AD: Try to stay healthy, that's the main thing. My main goal is to not miss any games this year and I think everything else will fall into place if that happens. Consistency makes a big difference and if I'm playing game in and game out, I know the chances will come and I'll have chances to set other guys up on the team and contribute in any way I can. I think it'll be great for us and we'll make a great little run and get into the playoffs.

14. What is the best game you've ever attended as a fan?

AD: I got to see Napoli and Inter play each other in Italy. That atmosphere was just crazy in Naples. And just seeing how those people eat, sleep, and breathe soccer was amazing to see.

15. Have you have you experienced anything like that anywhere else?

AD: No, I think the thing that came closest was my rookie year when we traveled to Seattle. I want to say there were 30 or 40 thousand people there. That was the loudest place I've ever been in my life. Just sitting side by side next to a teammate you couldn't hear them talk, you had to scream, literally sitting a foot away from somebody. And that was coming in, my first year, I think the the second game of the season. And it's just like oh wow, this is insane. It's probably been the loudest and coolest place I've experienced in America.

16. What, what does an off day look like for Alex Dixon?

AD: Probably sleeping a little bit later than normal. Get up, make some breakfast, feed my dog, take him out for a long walk. As the day goes on I'll read something or, you know, now I've hopped on a little bit more PlayStation, catch up with friends, talk to family, and maybe get a little jog in there throughout the day depending on how the body's feeling. Or go to the gym and get a little sauna session. It all kind of varies on how my body's feeling and how tough training has been, but I can guarantee there'll be a dog walk in there for a long period of time.

17. What's the biggest obstacle you faced in your career? 

AD: The biggest obstacle I faced in my career would be going through crises of confidence, especially when I was back in Houston. Not playing every game is kind of difficult to deal with when you're used to playing every game in college and club soccer. You have to learn how to keep that balance and not let yourself get too low. I think figuring that part of my career out was definitely the biggest obstacle because it was hard not being involved every game. You have to handle yourself a different kind of way and do the extra work, and that takes some understanding and getting used to, which I think I'm good at now. But it definitely was a long road to get to the mindset that I'm at now.

18. What was that moment that helped you change your attitude?

AD: Leaving Houston. You go there, you think that you're working hard enough every day to be playing and then you end up getting let go, and it's kind of like a shell shock like 'Wow, maybe I wasn't doing enough or doing the things that I thought I should have been doing'. So I think that that was the wake up call for me. It's not just, you go to training and you're doing enough, you have to go to training and you have to make sure you're doing the right stuff off the field and doing the extra work before and after training so that was definitely the big, big eye opener, not only for soccer but for life in general.

19. If you had any piece of advice for a young player, what piece of advice would you give them? 

AD: Do more. If you think you're doing enough, you're not doing enough, so just always do a little bit of extra. You can think that you're at the top of your game, you're playing well, you're fit and whatever else but there's always something else that you can be doing and working on.

20. When you look back on your career, how do you want to be remembered?

I want to be remembered as a good player, obviously, but a good teammate, a good person and somebody that was honest and loyal. If a young player had any questions, I want to be remembered as easy to talk to and approachable. Being a good player and a good teammate, those are the two top things for me.

Welcome back to our 20 Questions series! Our goal is to help you better get to know the players you see on the pitch week in and week out. For anyone who missed the first edition with Harry Swartz, click here to read it. We spoke with Alex Dixon who returns for his second season in Hartford to talk about the upcoming season, quarantine, and whatever else popped into our heads. Enjoy!

1. What are you doing in the middle of the quarantine?

AD: I’m trying out a bunch of different recipes. I’m going on a lot of walks, just trying to get out of the house as much as possible. I’ve been watching some shows, reading some books. I’m just trying to do anything without going crazy considering we’re locked up pretty much 24/7 right now.

2. What recipes are you cooking?

AD: Last night I made a crock pot Carne Asada for a little Taco Tuesday. That’s the first time I’ve made it. It came out pretty good so it’s gonna be a staple in the household from now on.

3. Do you have a favorite thing to cook?

AD: No, not anything in particular I just like trying out new things. I’ll search around the internet to find recipes. Whatever I’m feeling that day, I’ll just try something out, but I’m pretty open to almost anything.

4. What’s on the plate for Alex Dixon’s last meal? 

AD: If I have to have one final meal of all time I’m getting jerk chicken, rice and peas, couple of beef patties, cola champagne. That would be it. That goes straight back to the Jamaican side and I would go all out with that. 

5. What has it been like learning from Coach?

AD: It’s been great. He’s very detail oriented, so you have to be switched on all the time. I’m learning some new concepts. It’s my 10th year, and you don’t really think that you’d be learning so many new things at this point in time but he’s brought in a lot of new ideas, different ways to look at the game, so it’s been good, it’s been exciting and it makes me want to play that much more.

6. How has he helped you see the game differently? 

AD: I’m kind of in a different role as far as where I’m playing this year, so I’m trying to learn those new movements up top and playing with a second striker. I’m not only learning where I’m at, but trying to be switched on and know where everybody else is on the field as well. That’s one of the big things, just knowing whenever one guy starts drifting wide, what hole you need to fill into, or if somebody is making that run ahead of you, what you need to do, and know certain types of situations. It’s been a lot of information but it’s been a lot of good information and it’s been fun. 

7. How do you like this system compared to other systems you’ve played before?

AD: It’s a little different. It’s very intense, you know we’re going to be pressing a lot which I like. I think we’re gonna get a bunch of chances, we’re not going to give up too many goals, it’s just going to be a solid all around system. It’s the first time I’ve played this style, but I’m enjoying it so far. It’s learning, which, you know, every player wants to keep learning and just having to stay engaged. There’s no days off. 

8. What is a fun fact about you that most fans don’t know?

AD: I love to read. I’m constantly reading something from the moment I wake up to when I go to bed, even if its Twitter or whatever else. I’m reading 24-7. 

9. Do you have a favorite book?

AD: Growing up, obviously the Harry Potter series. Those are the books that got me into reading. Right now I am reading Pep Guardiola’s book. It goes into the insights of how he got Barcelona from where they were to becoming the best club team on earth, so that’s an interesting read that I’m going through right now. It’s an interesting read of the tactical approach, how he worked with Messi, how he got those guys to go from the style of play that they were playing into what he wanted. I haven’t reached the back end of it yet, but I think it’s supposed to touch on Manchester City as well.

10. If Alex Dixon wasn’t a pro soccer player he would be what?

AD: That’s a tough one. I don’t know, maybe like a backup dancer or something? I’ve got some decent dancing skills but nothing crazy. Maybe if I put all my energy into that I’d be a better dancer. That’s all I can really think of right now. Or maybe I’d be a writer or something. 

11. Have you given any thought to trying to write something?

AD: No, the idea of putting my thoughts down on paper – I’ve gotten into journaling, a lot more recently, but I’m not the kind of person who likes being the center of attention or having my stuff out there. I realize that is kind of weird because being a professional soccer player, you’re always out there in front of crowds and everything but I’m just not the attention seeking kind of person. 

12. Journaling, as I understand, is therapeutic for some people. Is there a particular reason that you’ve started journaling?

AD: For that reason, right there. There’s a lot of stuff going on right now and throughout life and I try to get my thoughts down on paper and try to analyze and cope with everything. But that’s been the main reason, it’s like a little form of meditation in a way and I’m trying to become more calm and well rounded.

13. Last year, you finished tied for third on the team in goals scored and tied for first on the team in assists. What do you have to do to replicate your on field success this year?

AD: Try to stay healthy, that’s the main thing. My main goal is to not miss any games this year and I think everything else will fall into place if that happens. Consistency makes a big difference and if I’m playing game in and game out, I know the chances will come and I’ll have chances to set other guys up on the team and contribute in any way I can. I think it’ll be great for us and we’ll make a great little run and get into the playoffs.

14. What is the best game you’ve ever attended as a fan?

AD: I got to see Napoli and Inter play each other in Italy. That atmosphere was just crazy in Naples. And just seeing how those people eat, sleep, and breathe soccer was amazing to see.

15. Have you have you experienced anything like that anywhere else?

AD: No, I think the thing that came closest was my rookie year when we traveled to Seattle. I want to say there were 30 or 40 thousand people there. That was the loudest place I’ve ever been in my life. Just sitting side by side next to a teammate you couldn’t hear them talk, you had to scream, literally sitting a foot away from somebody. And that was coming in, my first year, I think the the second game of the season. And it’s just like oh wow, this is insane. It’s probably been the loudest and coolest place I’ve experienced in America.

16. What, what does an off day look like for Alex Dixon?

AD: Probably sleeping a little bit later than normal. Get up, make some breakfast, feed my dog, take him out for a long walk. As the day goes on I’ll read something or, you know, now I’ve hopped on a little bit more PlayStation, catch up with friends, talk to family, and maybe get a little jog in there throughout the day depending on how the body’s feeling. Or go to the gym and get a little sauna session. It all kind of varies on how my body’s feeling and how tough training has been, but I can guarantee there’ll be a dog walk in there for a long period of time.

17. What’s the biggest obstacle you faced in your career? 

AD: The biggest obstacle I faced in my career would be going through crises of confidence, especially when I was back in Houston. Not playing every game is kind of difficult to deal with when you’re used to playing every game in college and club soccer. You have to learn how to keep that balance and not let yourself get too low. I think figuring that part of my career out was definitely the biggest obstacle because it was hard not being involved every game. You have to handle yourself a different kind of way and do the extra work, and that takes some understanding and getting used to, which I think I’m good at now. But it definitely was a long road to get to the mindset that I’m at now.

18. What was that moment that helped you change your attitude?

AD: Leaving Houston. You go there, you think that you’re working hard enough every day to be playing and then you end up getting let go, and it’s kind of like a shell shock like ‘Wow, maybe I wasn’t doing enough or doing the things that I thought I should have been doing’. So I think that that was the wake up call for me. It’s not just, you go to training and you’re doing enough, you have to go to training and you have to make sure you’re doing the right stuff off the field and doing the extra work before and after training so that was definitely the big, big eye opener, not only for soccer but for life in general.

19. If you had any piece of advice for a young player, what piece of advice would you give them? 

AD: Do more. If you think you’re doing enough, you’re not doing enough, so just always do a little bit of extra. You can think that you’re at the top of your game, you’re playing well, you’re fit and whatever else but there’s always something else that you can be doing and working on.

20. When you look back on your career, how do you want to be remembered?

I want to be remembered as a good player, obviously, but a good teammate, a good person and somebody that was honest and loyal. If a young player had any questions, I want to be remembered as easy to talk to and approachable. Being a good player and a good teammate, those are the two top things for me.

Welcome back to the mailbag, one that takes place in one of the most bizarre times this author can remember. We hope that all of our fans and readers are staying safe and we can't wait to see you back at Dillon once our league resumes and our doors open. Thank you to those who submitted questions. If you have a question, please visit https://www.hartfordathletic.com/mailbag to submit and we will do our best to answer it. Without further ado, let's get to your questions:

Kevin W. asks, "What would be the possibility during this time of streaming FIFA 20 contests featuring players for fans to watch? Great if it were HA players head to head. Awesome if USL Championship clubs could host a "season" pitting clubs against each other aligned with the schedule originally set up by the league."

Kevin, this is a great thought. In case you haven't seen on Twitter, there is a fan driven E-league starting in a couple weeks. There may be more avenues for something like this coming in the future as well.

@jsgreyhoundgirl asks, "Are you still able to practice and get ready for the season to begin?"

At the moment, our players are doing an excellent job of practicing social distancing and are not training. Our coaching staff is using all resources available to do as much video training from home as possible and finding ways for the players to keep up their fitness without endangering other teammates or community members. We will resume training as soon as it is safe to do so.

@HFDTILIMDEAD asks, "For non-local players or staff: What’s something that you miss from your home state or country that we don’t have or you can’t find here in Hartford?"

Ever Guzmán (Mexico): I've been missing my family a lot. Across the globe, people are spending time with their family because of the virus. It's very hard because I want to be with them! I would also say that I definitely miss tacos – not that there aren't tacos in Connecticut – but the tacos here are different than the ones from back home.

Alex Lara (California): Does it count if I say family? (Author: It does) That's definitely the biggest thing. I'm very close to them and being this far away from them is something that's been hard. I miss In 'n Out burgers too. I'm pretty sure that's just a West Coast thing and they don't have it out here.

Mike Novotny (Illinois): Biggest thing for me is my family. That's the hardest thing, being a 15 hour drive away. As far as restaurants go, it would probably be Portillo's or Jimmy John's. Portillo's has the best Chicago-style dog. I miss that a lot.

@USRover asks, "Who on the team has the best "singing for 20 seconds while washing their hands" voice?"

Not sure we have any singers – and btw you should wash your hands for 30 seconds! – but we do have some musically inclined people on the squad. Both Kevin Politz and Aiden Mesias have both shown they can play the piano and have keyboards in their apartments. Make sure to follow both on Instagram they'll occasionally post videos of them playing from time to time.

@VinVoltage asks, "Is there anything that us fans can do to support and help the club while we are on hiatus?"

The number one thing you can do is be safe and healthy. It is SO important for us to be responsible to help stop the spread of the virus. Stay at home, thoroughly wash your hands, all the things you're hearing on the news and from family, do them. It's a difficult time and as a community, we need to come together to help each other get through it. Also, support local businesses. Lots of local businesses support us as well and this can be a challenging time for them. Get a gift card, order takeout, whatever you can do to help keep the economy going, please do it. Once we get through this – and we will – we want to see all our fans with us at Dillon. Bring as many friends, family, coworkers, whoever to as many matches as you can, and #BringTheBonanza and support your Boys in Green!

Welcome back to the mailbag, one that takes place in one of the most bizarre times this author can remember. We hope that all of our fans and readers are staying safe and we can’t wait to see you back at Dillon once our league resumes and our doors open. Thank you to those who submitted questions. If you have a question, please visit https://www.hartfordathletic.com/mailbag to submit and we will do our best to answer it. Without further ado, let’s get to your questions:

Kevin W. asks, “What would be the possibility during this time of streaming FIFA 20 contests featuring players for fans to watch? Great if it were HA players head to head. Awesome if USL Championship clubs could host a “season” pitting clubs against each other aligned with the schedule originally set up by the league.”

Kevin, this is a great thought. In case you haven’t seen on Twitter, there is a fan driven E-league starting in a couple weeks. There may be more avenues for something like this coming in the future as well.

@jsgreyhoundgirl asks, “Are you still able to practice and get ready for the season to begin?”

At the moment, our players are doing an excellent job of practicing social distancing and are not training. Our coaching staff is using all resources available to do as much video training from home as possible and finding ways for the players to keep up their fitness without endangering other teammates or community members. We will resume training as soon as it is safe to do so.

@HFDTILIMDEAD asks, “For non-local players or staff: What’s something that you miss from your home state or country that we don’t have or you can’t find here in Hartford?”

Ever Guzmán (Mexico): I’ve been missing my family a lot. Across the globe, people are spending time with their family because of the virus. It’s very hard because I want to be with them! I would also say that I definitely miss tacos – not that there aren’t tacos in Connecticut – but the tacos here are different than the ones from back home.

Alex Lara (California): Does it count if I say family? (Author: It does) That’s definitely the biggest thing. I’m very close to them and being this far away from them is something that’s been hard. I miss In ‘n Out burgers too. I’m pretty sure that’s just a West Coast thing and they don’t have it out here.

Mike Novotny (Illinois): Biggest thing for me is my family. That’s the hardest thing, being a 15 hour drive away. As far as restaurants go, it would probably be Portillo’s or Jimmy John’s. Portillo’s has the best Chicago-style dog. I miss that a lot.

@USRover asks, “Who on the team has the best “singing for 20 seconds while washing their hands” voice?”

Not sure we have any singers – and btw you should wash your hands for 30 seconds! – but we do have some musically inclined people on the squad. Both Kevin Politz and Aiden Mesias have both shown they can play the piano and have keyboards in their apartments. Make sure to follow both on Instagram they’ll occasionally post videos of them playing from time to time.

@VinVoltage asks, “Is there anything that us fans can do to support and help the club while we are on hiatus?”

The number one thing you can do is be safe and healthy. It is SO important for us to be responsible to help stop the spread of the virus. Stay at home, thoroughly wash your hands, all the things you’re hearing on the news and from family, do them. It’s a difficult time and as a community, we need to come together to help each other get through it. Also, support local businesses. Lots of local businesses support us as well and this can be a challenging time for them. Get a gift card, order takeout, whatever you can do to help keep the economy going, please do it. Once we get through this – and we will – we want to see all our fans with us at Dillon. Bring as many friends, family, coworkers, whoever to as many matches as you can, and #BringTheBonanza and support your Boys in Green!

This story was originally published on New England Soccer Journal. Hartford Athletic supporters can apply the code HA25 at checkout for 25% off either a year-long digital or all-access subscription. Launched in March 2013, New England Soccer Journal covers youth soccer up to the professional ranks across the entire region. Click here for more info and to subscribe.

Editor's Note: This article was written prior to the postponement of the start of the 2020 Season.

Hartford, CT – The 2020 Hartford Athletic preseason has gone surprisingly fast under new coach Radhi Jaidi, according to forward Mac Steeves (Needham, Mass.). That’s not an indictment of anything former coach Jimmy Nielsen did before the start of last season, Hartford’s debut in the USL Championship, only an informed observation roughly two weeks before the new campaign, which begins March 13 at New York Red Bulls II. “Since [Jaidi has] been here, he’s brought us from the first stage of preseason into the second stage of preseason very gradually, but at a high pace,” Steeves said. “He’s progressed us further than I thought we would be at this point. He’s definitely a top-level coach.” Jaidi, who had coached the U-23s at English Premier League side Southampton since 2017, is on a 12-month appointment with Hartford as part of a growing partnership between the two clubs.

Jaidi added that local players such as Steeves, plus midfielders Harry Swartz (Needham, Mass.) and Nicky Downs (Lakeville, Conn.), have a desire to improve the club’s fortunes. Last season, Hartford struggled as it finished 16th out of 17 teams in the Eastern Conference with an 8-21-5 record and minus-31 goal differential. “The returning boys have the characteristics of caring about Hartford Athletic and caring about what’s going to happen this season,” said Jaidi, with Hartford returning just eight players from 2019. “We’ve got new players who have the hunger, will and desire to improve but also to help the club. If you look at the squad, we have a young team, but this is not a weakness. It’s a strength because we know these players want to improve.” Steeves, who played in 15 matches last season and scored two goals, including the team’s first-ever home goal, said training starts typically starts with video analysis, and then it’s “fine-detail coaching” during fieldwork. “[Jaidi] sets out a plan, formation and says, ‘This is how we’re going to play and this is what we’re going to do,’” Steeves said. “He does a really good job of explaining it all and making sure everyone is clear on their roles.” Steeves said it doesn’t matter what his role is, as long as he’s a healthy contributor throughout the USL Championship campaign. He’s been plagued by various injuries in recent years, and switched to a vegetarian diet this offseason as a preventative measure. He’s also working with strength coach Lucas Kruel to keep his hips secure. “Lucas does a really good job working with me on my hip mobility,” Steeves said. “He’s definitely helped with my range of motion.”

Swartz hasn’t previously had a full professional preseason, as he didn’t sign with Hartford until May last year, following four years at Northeastern. Hartford has played a robust slate of preseason matches so far, including two against New England Revolution II, which will soon began its inaugural season in USL League One. Athletic has also played Red Bulls II and will encounter Philadelphia Union II on Friday. “We want to be as challenged as possible, because we know the USL Championship is not an easy league and we want to be ready,” said Swartz, who had four goals and three assists in 20 matches last year. “We want to prove some people wrong this year and have a good season.” Downs, who juggled completing his economics degree from Yale during his first season as a professional last year, said unencumbered recovery time this offseason was embraced. Now, he’s switched to soccer as his “sole focus.” “I learned a lot from the first year, obviously, on the whole, it didn’t go as well as we would have wanted, but everyone saw glimpses of how good we were capable of being last year down the stretch when we won,” Downs said. “The unfortunate thing about last season was it all came together, maybe too little too late.” For example, Hartford secured a 4-0 win over Birmingham Legion with two games left last year, when their playoff hopes were over. Birmingham is coached by former Revolution assistant Tom Soehn and has former Revolution head coach Jay Heaps (Longmeadow, Mass.) as club president and general manager.

That match showed what Hartford can accomplish, with newcomers such as forward Éver Guzmán now hoping to forge a winning identity.

“We know who we’re going to be this year, we have an identity, whereas I think maybe part of our problem last year was we didn’t know exactly what type of team we were going to be,” Downs said. “This year it’s a young group and it’s a hungry group that’s going to work really hard and make life difficult for other teams. When you couple that work with kind of the detail that Radhi wants out of us on the tactical side, I think that could be a really good thing.”

This story was originally published on New England Soccer Journal. Hartford Athletic supporters can apply the code HA25 at checkout for 25% off either a year-long digital or all-access subscription. Launched in March 2013, New England Soccer Journal covers youth soccer up to the professional ranks across the entire region. Click here for more info and to subscribe.

Editor’s Note: This article was written prior to the postponement of the start of the 2020 Season.

Hartford, CT – The 2020 Hartford Athletic preseason has gone surprisingly fast under new coach Radhi Jaidi, according to forward Mac Steeves (Needham, Mass.). That’s not an indictment of anything former coach Jimmy Nielsen did before the start of last season, Hartford’s debut in the USL Championship, only an informed observation roughly two weeks before the new campaign, which begins March 13 at New York Red Bulls II. “Since [Jaidi has] been here, he’s brought us from the first stage of preseason into the second stage of preseason very gradually, but at a high pace,” Steeves said. “He’s progressed us further than I thought we would be at this point. He’s definitely a top-level coach.” Jaidi, who had coached the U-23s at English Premier League side Southampton since 2017, is on a 12-month appointment with Hartford as part of a growing partnership between the two clubs.

Jaidi added that local players such as Steeves, plus midfielders Harry Swartz (Needham, Mass.) and Nicky Downs (Lakeville, Conn.), have a desire to improve the club’s fortunes. Last season, Hartford struggled as it finished 16th out of 17 teams in the Eastern Conference with an 8-21-5 record and minus-31 goal differential. “The returning boys have the characteristics of caring about Hartford Athletic and caring about what’s going to happen this season,” said Jaidi, with Hartford returning just eight players from 2019. “We’ve got new players who have the hunger, will and desire to improve but also to help the club. If you look at the squad, we have a young team, but this is not a weakness. It’s a strength because we know these players want to improve.” Steeves, who played in 15 matches last season and scored two goals, including the team’s first-ever home goal, said training starts typically starts with video analysis, and then it’s “fine-detail coaching” during fieldwork. “[Jaidi] sets out a plan, formation and says, ‘This is how we’re going to play and this is what we’re going to do,’” Steeves said. “He does a really good job of explaining it all and making sure everyone is clear on their roles.” Steeves said it doesn’t matter what his role is, as long as he’s a healthy contributor throughout the USL Championship campaign. He’s been plagued by various injuries in recent years, and switched to a vegetarian diet this offseason as a preventative measure. He’s also working with strength coach Lucas Kruel to keep his hips secure. “Lucas does a really good job working with me on my hip mobility,” Steeves said. “He’s definitely helped with my range of motion.”

Swartz hasn’t previously had a full professional preseason, as he didn’t sign with Hartford until May last year, following four years at Northeastern. Hartford has played a robust slate of preseason matches so far, including two against New England Revolution II, which will soon began its inaugural season in USL League One. Athletic has also played Red Bulls II and will encounter Philadelphia Union II on Friday. “We want to be as challenged as possible, because we know the USL Championship is not an easy league and we want to be ready,” said Swartz, who had four goals and three assists in 20 matches last year. “We want to prove some people wrong this year and have a good season.” Downs, who juggled completing his economics degree from Yale during his first season as a professional last year, said unencumbered recovery time this offseason was embraced. Now, he’s switched to soccer as his “sole focus.” “I learned a lot from the first year, obviously, on the whole, it didn’t go as well as we would have wanted, but everyone saw glimpses of how good we were capable of being last year down the stretch when we won,” Downs said. “The unfortunate thing about last season was it all came together, maybe too little too late.” For example, Hartford secured a 4-0 win over Birmingham Legion with two games left last year, when their playoff hopes were over. Birmingham is coached by former Revolution assistant Tom Soehn and has former Revolution head coach Jay Heaps (Longmeadow, Mass.) as club president and general manager.

That match showed what Hartford can accomplish, with newcomers such as forward Éver Guzmán now hoping to forge a winning identity.

“We know who we’re going to be this year, we have an identity, whereas I think maybe part of our problem last year was we didn’t know exactly what type of team we were going to be,” Downs said. “This year it’s a young group and it’s a hungry group that’s going to work really hard and make life difficult for other teams. When you couple that work with kind of the detail that Radhi wants out of us on the tactical side, I think that could be a really good thing.”

HARTFORD, Conn. (March 12, 2020) – Hartford Athletic announced today that Conor McGlynn (Middle Village, NY) has signed for the 2020 season pending league and federation approval. McGlynn, a midfielder, is the 22nd player on the roster. 

McGlynn was discovered during Open Tryouts in December and immediately made an impression on the coaching staff. He scored five goals and added four assists during his senior season at Siena last fall, earning Second-Team All-MAAC honors. Over the course of four years, he played in every single match and started all but one of those matches. Conor twice earned MAAC All-Academic Team honors and was named MAAC Offensive Player of the Week September 2nd of 2019. 

McGlynn is not the only member of his family to sign a professional contact this year. His brother Jack signed with Philadelphia Union II earlier this month. Hartford Athletic and Philadelphia Union II will meet 3 times this season. 

HARTFORD, Conn. (March 12, 2020) – Hartford Athletic announced today that Conor McGlynn (Middle Village, NY) has signed for the 2020 season pending league and federation approval. McGlynn, a midfielder, is the 22nd player on the roster. 

McGlynn was discovered during Open Tryouts in December and immediately made an impression on the coaching staff. He scored five goals and added four assists during his senior season at Siena last fall, earning Second-Team All-MAAC honors. Over the course of four years, he played in every single match and started all but one of those matches. Conor twice earned MAAC All-Academic Team honors and was named MAAC Offensive Player of the Week September 2nd of 2019. 

McGlynn is not the only member of his family to sign a professional contact this year. His brother Jack signed with Philadelphia Union II earlier this month. Hartford Athletic and Philadelphia Union II will meet 3 times this season. 

HARTFORD, Conn. (March 11, 2020) – Hartford Athletic announced today that Alfonso Vazquez (Windham, CT) has been signed for the 2020 season, pending league and federation approval. Vazquez – a senior at Windham High School – is the youngest ever signing for the Club and holds Connecticut’s all-time high school goal scoring record. 

“I am thrilled to sign my first professional contract here in my home state,” Vazquez said. “I want to thank my family, friends, and all of my coaches and teammates who have helped me get to this point. Being a professional soccer player is a dream come true, and Coach Jaïdi and my new teammates have already taught me so much about what it means to be a pro. I am humbled by this opportunity and ready to get to work.” 

Hartford Athletic discovered Vazquez at the Club’s annual open tryouts held this past December and invited him among seven other trialists to train with the Club during preseason. Vazquez quickly impressed recording four goals in six matches this preseason for Hartford Athletic. 

“Alfonso caught the attention of our staff in open tryouts, and he has that goal-scorer’s instinct that you cannot teach,” said Hartford Athletic Head Coach Radhi Jaïdi. “We tell all our players that their future is in their hands and that we are here to support their development. In Alfonso’s case, with hard work and focus, the sky is the limit.” 

“Alfonso is an example of just how rich the soccer talent is in Connecticut and the wider region,” said Hartford Athletic Chairman Bruce Mandell. “Finding and developing young players is core to our mission and our success, and with the addition of Alfonso, we are excited to continue to grow in this area as an organization.” 

The young striker shattered a 31-year-old state record for goals scored in a career overtaking Joe Nielsen of RHAM who held the previous record of 126 set in 1988. Vazquez scored 21 goals as a freshman, 31 as a sophomore, 42 as a junior, and 55 as a senior to bring his career total to 149 goals. He was named All-New England and All-American following his senior season, is a 4-time first team all Eastern Connecticut Conference player, and a 3-time All State honoree. 

HARTFORD, Conn. (March 11, 2020) – Hartford Athletic announced today that Alfonso Vazquez (Windham, CT) has been signed for the 2020 season, pending league and federation approval. Vazquez – a senior at Windham High School – is the youngest ever signing for the Club and holds Connecticut’s all-time high school goal scoring record. 

“I am thrilled to sign my first professional contract here in my home state,” Vazquez said. “I want to thank my family, friends, and all of my coaches and teammates who have helped me get to this point. Being a professional soccer player is a dream come true, and Coach Jaïdi and my new teammates have already taught me so much about what it means to be a pro. I am humbled by this opportunity and ready to get to work.” 

Hartford Athletic discovered Vazquez at the Club’s annual open tryouts held this past December and invited him among seven other trialists to train with the Club during preseason. Vazquez quickly impressed recording four goals in six matches this preseason for Hartford Athletic. 

“Alfonso caught the attention of our staff in open tryouts, and he has that goal-scorer’s instinct that you cannot teach,” said Hartford Athletic Head Coach Radhi Jaïdi. “We tell all our players that their future is in their hands and that we are here to support their development. In Alfonso’s case, with hard work and focus, the sky is the limit.” 

“Alfonso is an example of just how rich the soccer talent is in Connecticut and the wider region,” said Hartford Athletic Chairman Bruce Mandell. “Finding and developing young players is core to our mission and our success, and with the addition of Alfonso, we are excited to continue to grow in this area as an organization.” 

The young striker shattered a 31-year-old state record for goals scored in a career overtaking Joe Nielsen of RHAM who held the previous record of 126 set in 1988. Vazquez scored 21 goals as a freshman, 31 as a sophomore, 42 as a junior, and 55 as a senior to bring his career total to 149 goals. He was named All-New England and All-American following his senior season, is a 4-time first team all Eastern Connecticut Conference player, and a 3-time All State honoree. 

The Boys in Green are in the midst of final preparations for the 2020 USL Championship season this week. We took a look at some of the important numbers for the club heading into the second season:

8 – The Club returns eight players from the inaugural roster in 2019, Danny Barrera, Alex Davey, Alex Dixon, Nicky Downs, Mads Jørgensen, Mike Novotny, Mac Steeves, and Harry Swartz. Dixon and Swartz lead returning players in goals scored with five and four respectively. Barrera and Dixon were tied for the team lead last year with four assists each. 

2 – The number of road matches Athletic will play against Red Bulls II this season. Hartford will also travel to Due to the odd number of teams in the Eastern Conference, the club will play Red Bulls II and Philadelphia Union II three times this season. Athletic will play two home matches against Union II. 

29 – New Head Coach Radhi Jaïdi amassed twenty-nine wins during his two-year stint as Head Coach of the Southampton FC U23s. Under his leadership, the U23s earned promotion to Division 1 of Premier League 2. Coach Jaïdi has worked the players hard this offseason in order to learn his system and be ready to play in the season's opening match. He has been very detail oriented and the players have noticed the difference.

24 – During his time with San Antonio FC, Ever Guzmán scored twenty-four goals, most in franchise history. He's shown in preseason he's taken that goal-scoring ability with him to Hartford. Guzmán scored 4 goals in the first half against New England Revolution II. Expect him to be a focal point of the Hartford attack. 

24.15 – The average age of the players on Hartford Athletic's roster this season. In fact, 14 of the 20 players on the Hartford roster are under the age of 24.

6 – Hartford Athletic boasts a very diverse roster with players coming from six different countries. Players come from the USA (11), UK (4), Brazil (2), Congo, Denmark, and Mexico. 

5,500 – This is maximum capacity at Dillon Stadium which we reached in the opening match last season, a 2-1 win over Indy Eleven on July 13th. To say the crowd was a factor in that match was an understatement. We need the help of the best fans in the world to hit that number again at this season's opener! Get your tickets now!

The Boys in Green are in the midst of final preparations for the 2020 USL Championship season this week. We took a look at some of the important numbers for the club heading into the second season:

8 – The Club returns eight players from the inaugural roster in 2019, Danny Barrera, Alex Davey, Alex Dixon, Nicky Downs, Mads Jørgensen, Mike Novotny, Mac Steeves, and Harry Swartz. Dixon and Swartz lead returning players in goals scored with five and four respectively. Barrera and Dixon were tied for the team lead last year with four assists each. 

2 – The number of road matches Athletic will play against Red Bulls II this season. Hartford will also travel to Due to the odd number of teams in the Eastern Conference, the club will play Red Bulls II and Philadelphia Union II three times this season. Athletic will play two home matches against Union II. 

29 – New Head Coach Radhi Jaïdi amassed twenty-nine wins during his two-year stint as Head Coach of the Southampton FC U23s. Under his leadership, the U23s earned promotion to Division 1 of Premier League 2. Coach Jaïdi has worked the players hard this offseason in order to learn his system and be ready to play in the season’s opening match. He has been very detail oriented and the players have noticed the difference.

24 – During his time with San Antonio FC, Ever Guzmán scored twenty-four goals, most in franchise history. He’s shown in preseason he’s taken that goal-scoring ability with him to Hartford. Guzmán scored 4 goals in the first half against New England Revolution II. Expect him to be a focal point of the Hartford attack. 

24.15 – The average age of the players on Hartford Athletic’s roster this season. In fact, 14 of the 20 players on the Hartford roster are under the age of 24.

6 – Hartford Athletic boasts a very diverse roster with players coming from six different countries. Players come from the USA (11), UK (4), Brazil (2), Congo, Denmark, and Mexico. 

5,500 – This is maximum capacity at Dillon Stadium which we reached in the opening match last season, a 2-1 win over Indy Eleven on July 13th. To say the crowd was a factor in that match was an understatement. We need the help of the best fans in the world to hit that number again at this season’s opener! Get your tickets now!

HARTFORD, Conn. (March 10, 2020) – Hartford Athletic announced today that all five of the Club’s Founding Partners will continue their partnership in the 2020 season among a total of 28 corporate partners. Trinity Health of New England, Stanley Black & Decker, The Hartford, Cigna, and Travelers represent the Club’s Founding Partners.

“We are proud and grateful to have the support of our partners again in 2020,” said Jordan Charlupski, Vice President of Revenue for Hartford Athletic. “Connecting with our community is one of the key pillars of our organization. We are very proud of what we accomplished in 2019 with the help of all of our partners, and look forward to continuing to build on this success in 2020.”

Corporate partnerships will continue to feature many community elements in 2020. Examples of major community elements from 2019 are as follows:

• Trinity Health of New England: Hartford Athletic and Trinity Health of New England celebrated Community Health Night at Dillon Stadium and supported the New England 61 Day Challenge.

• Stanley Black & Decker: Hartford Athletic and Stanley Black & Decker raised over $4,000 for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality through the Club’s inaugural Charity Match with proceeds benefitting Hartford-based non-profit Girls for Technology.

• The Hartford: Hartford Athletic and The Hartford came together to promote The Hartford’s Junior Fire Marshal Program designed to empower kids to become everyday heroes and educate them on the importance of fire safety including hosting a swearing in ceremony at Dillon Stadium prior to a Hartford Athletic home match.

• Cigna: Hartford Athletic and Cigna launched the Cigna Every Save Matters program donating money to Team Impact for every save a Hartford Athletic goalkeeper made in 2019.

• Travelers: Hartford Athletic and Travelers established the Community Champion Program, which donated a special group experience at a Hartford Athletic match to those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to attend.

Hartford Athletic is also proud to welcome the following partners for the 2020 season:

• 4G Recycling

• Bank of America

• Brown Paindiris & Scott, LLC

• Caveman Cryotherapy

• Citizens Bank

• Gengras Motor Cars

• Global Atlantic Financial Group

• Go Graphix

• Goldberg Capital Management

• iHeartMedia

• LAZ Parking

• Local 230

• New England Airfoil Products, Inc.

• Outfront Media

• PepsiCo

• Planet Fitness

• Powerstation Events

• Premier Limousine

• Republic Gastropub

• Right at Home

• Stratis Visuals

• The Tavern Downtown

• WTNH

For those interested in partnering with Hartford Athletic, please contact Jordan Charlupski via email at Jcharlupski@https://www.hartfordathletic.com

HARTFORD, Conn. (March 10, 2020) – Hartford Athletic announced today that all five of the Club’s Founding Partners will continue their partnership in the 2020 season among a total of 28 corporate partners. Trinity Health of New England, Stanley Black & Decker, The Hartford, Cigna, and Travelers represent the Club’s Founding Partners.

“We are proud and grateful to have the support of our partners again in 2020,” said Jordan Charlupski, Vice President of Revenue for Hartford Athletic. “Connecting with our community is one of the key pillars of our organization. We are very proud of what we accomplished in 2019 with the help of all of our partners, and look forward to continuing to build on this success in 2020.”

Corporate partnerships will continue to feature many community elements in 2020. Examples of major community elements from 2019 are as follows:

• Trinity Health of New England: Hartford Athletic and Trinity Health of New England celebrated Community Health Night at Dillon Stadium and supported the New England 61 Day Challenge.

• Stanley Black & Decker: Hartford Athletic and Stanley Black & Decker raised over $4,000 for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality through the Club’s inaugural Charity Match with proceeds benefitting Hartford-based non-profit Girls for Technology.

• The Hartford: Hartford Athletic and The Hartford came together to promote The Hartford’s Junior Fire Marshal Program designed to empower kids to become everyday heroes and educate them on the importance of fire safety including hosting a swearing in ceremony at Dillon Stadium prior to a Hartford Athletic home match.

• Cigna: Hartford Athletic and Cigna launched the Cigna Every Save Matters program donating money to Team Impact for every save a Hartford Athletic goalkeeper made in 2019.

• Travelers: Hartford Athletic and Travelers established the Community Champion Program, which donated a special group experience at a Hartford Athletic match to those who may not otherwise have the opportunity to attend.

Hartford Athletic is also proud to welcome the following partners for the 2020 season:

• 4G Recycling

• Bank of America

• Brown Paindiris & Scott, LLC

• Caveman Cryotherapy

• Citizens Bank

• Gengras Motor Cars

• Global Atlantic Financial Group

• Go Graphix

• Goldberg Capital Management

• iHeartMedia

• LAZ Parking

• Local 230

• New England Airfoil Products, Inc.

• Outfront Media

• PepsiCo

• Planet Fitness

• Powerstation Events

• Premier Limousine

• Republic Gastropub

• Right at Home

• Stratis Visuals

• The Tavern Downtown

• WTNH

For those interested in partnering with Hartford Athletic, please contact Jordan Charlupski via email at Jcharlupski@https://www.hartfordathletic.com