Hartford Look for First Win against Orange County

March 31, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Hartford Athletic News Release

LAST TIME OUT

Hartford Athletic are coming off a 1-0 loss against Birmingham Legion FC. The match started with high intensity play and many attacking chances for Hartford, but their efforts were just not enough to top Birmingham. The only goal of the match was in the 24th minute right outside of the 18 yard box, where Gabriel Alves was left alone and struck the ball perfectly into the back of the net. Hartford’s final quality chance was in the 57th minute where Kembo Kibato delivered a perfectly weighted ball into the six yard box to Antoine Hoppenot, but the forward’s shot went high and wide.

CONSISTENT CHANCE CREATION

Hartford’s offense attempted 14 shots last Saturday, their highest amount on the season so far, but didn’t score any goals to show for it. Post game, Coach Ramos said, “We weren’t consistent in chance creation… We had 14 shots, but it didn’t feel like we created 14 shots. You feel more comfortable when you are creating these opportunities and they don’t just come from individual play.” Through three matches, the Green and Blue are averaging seven chances created and per game.

A HOLE IN THE MIDFIELD

Hartford have temporarily lost two massive pieces to their midfield due to injury: Andre Lewis and Kembo Kibato. Lewis was carted off the field after suffering a head injury at Monterey Bay two weeks ago, and Kibato left last week’s game with a foot injury. The timetable on the return of both players is not certain, but both will be out for this Saturday’s match. It’s a heavy loss for Hartford, as both players are starters and key pieces to the team’s connecting play in the midfield and chance creation in the final third.

HODGE AND EDWARDS RETURN

Forward Kyle Edwards and defender Triston Hodge have returned from national team duty with their respective clubs in the CONCACAF Nations League. Edwards scored two goals on PKs for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Triston Hodge appeared in two matches for Trinidad and Tobago. Edwards is a great finisher who can be a valuable piece as a starter or off the bench for Hartford, and Hodge started the first two games of the season for the Green and Blue on the left side of their back line.

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PLAYERS TO WATCH

Hartford Athletic, Beverly Makangila, MF #6:

Beverly Makangila made his debut for Hartford this past weekend in their match against Birmingham Legion FC, playing an impactful 79 minutes. He proved…