April 7, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Hartford Athletic News Release
LAST TIME OUT
Hartford Athletic are coming off a 1-1 draw to Orange County SC at home last Saturday. The Green and Blue conceded early after giving a
free kick opportunity to the visitors in the seventh minute. Milan Iloski looped in his attempt from just a few yards outside of the box, beating Richard Sànchez to the near post. Hartford equalized late in the half with Elvis Amoh’s second goal of the year, coming in the fourth and final minute of first half stoppage time. The game’s physicality increased in the second half, as there were 10 yellow cards dished out in the second 45 minutes of play. There were nine minutes of stoppage time added, but neither team could find a game winning goal.
HITTING THE ROAD
After a quick two-game stint at home, Hartford Athletic begin a three-game road trip this Saturday in Charleston. They’ll head out west to Oakland next Saturday, then wrap up the road trip in Birmingham for a rematch of Week Three. The road stretch will keep them away from home for the rest of April, as they return to Trinity Health Stadium on May 6th to host Memphis 901 FC.
HARTFORD TRAILS…
Last Saturday marked the third match this season in which Hartford conceded a goal before the 25th minute of play. “We gave up a goal right away and I think that kind of shocked everybody, because for the next 15 minutes, the team just wasn’t the same at all,” said Coach Ramos. “We looked, probably I would say, the worst we’ve looked so far for the next 15-20 minutes after we gave up that goal.” Hartford has played with a lead for just 18 minutes of match time so far this season, forcing them to chase games from behind. They went down a goal just two minutes into the match against Monterey Bay in Week One, and conceded in the 23rd minute against Birmingham two weeks ago.
EDWARDS’ IMPACT
Kyle Edwards was inserted into last Saturday’s match late in the first half, and the striker made an immediate impact in the final third. He fired off two shots, and assisted on the equalizing goal just before the end of the half. In the fourth and final minute of stoppage time, Antoine Hoppenot took on a defender with speed on the left side and sent a cross into the box. Edwards was able to flick the ball with his head to Elvis Amoh, who powerfully struck the ball past Cody Cropper. Edwards followed this performance with another assist to Amoh on Tuesday night in the Open Cup. The two…