Hartford Equalize in Second Half, Pick Up a Point at Detroit City

July 6, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Hartford Athletic News Release

Tonight’s match started with consecutive scoring chances from both teams. In the fifth minute, Detroit forward Antoine Hoppenot faked a shot that fooled Conor McGlynn, found himself with space in Hartford’s box and took his chance, just missing wide of the near post. In the following minute, Prince Saydee stayed onside for a pass from Andre Lewis and blasted a shot from just inside Detroit’s box that forced Nathan Steinwascher to make a quality save. The pace of play slowed for a brief period, but Detroit struck first with a goal from Pato Batello Faz. It was a beautiful build up from Detroit, as Michael Bryant led a ball towards the Hartford end line for Antoine Hoppenot, who made a cross to Deklan Wynne, and he made the final pass to Botello-Faz at the doorstep.

Hartford found themselves retreating into their own third frequently after the Detroit goal, but their patience was rewarded with scoring chances at the end of the half. They generated their strongest chance in the 37th minute, when Younes Boudadi lobbed a cross into Detroit’s box that fell to Prince Saydee, but he was dispossessed by a Detroit defender before getting a shot off. Danny Barrera tried his luck in stoppage time, looping a well-struck shot from about 25 yards out that challenged Steinwascher, and Andre Lewis headed a cross from Conor McGlynn that forced the Detroit keeper to make another save before the half.

The Green and Blue came out aggressively in the second half, sending more bodies and long balls forward immediately, and they got what they were looking for in the 57th minute. Peter-Lee Vassell, a half time substitute, chased down a high-arching ball from Andre Lewis in Detroit’s third. Vassell staved off two Detroit defenders as he entered the box, fell to his knees, kept possession and found Lewis on the other side of the box, who tapped a goal into the bottom left corner of the net. A brilliant display from the Jamaican teammates, Vassell for having the presence of mind to find Lewis across the box after losing his footing, and Lewis for hustling into the box after making the initial pass to Vassell. It was Lewis’ second goal of the season, and his second in as many weeks.

Detroit quickly responded, creating a three-shot scoring chance in the 59th minute, with one of those shots being blocked by Conor McGlynn, another by Tulu, and the final one being saved by Oettl. Hartford took…