April 8, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Hartford Athletic News Release
A goal off of a direct free kick in stoppage time from Arturo Rodríguez spoiled Hartford Athletic’s bid for a point on the road. They dropped the back-and-forth battle in the heavy second half rainfall 3-2.
Hartford got out on the front foot in the first half of tonight’s match, taking two shots and recording five touches in Charleston’s box through the first 10 minutes. They were unsuccessful on a free kick chance just outside Charleston’s box in the 11th minute, but were able to keep the ball in Charleston’s half for two straight minutes before finding the back of the net. Danny Barrera tapped a pass forward to Jeciel Cedeño, who led a ball to an onside Prince Saydee, and Hartford’s leading goalscorer guided his shot past a charging Trey Muse to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. The assist was Cedeño’s first in USL Championship play after getting his first assist for Hartford the Open Cup play this past Tuesday.
Athletic remained steady for the next few minutes, but began to allow threatening scoring chances from Charleston in the later stages of the half. Richard Sànchez made back to back punches on corner kick tries from Charleston in the 24th minute, and Nick Markanich hit the side netting on a shot from inside the box in the 30th minute. The home side broke through five minutes later, when Derek Dodson swung a ball into the box that was tapped in by Markanich from the doorstep. The Green and Blue defended for most of the remaining minutes of the half, nearly conceding again when Deklan Wynne’s goal was wiped out for being offside in the 42nd minute. Charleston owned 65.4% of the possession for the final 15 minutes of the half, and outshot Hartford nine to four after Athletic got out to a quality start.
Charleston carried their momentum into the second 45 minutes, scoring almost immediately after kickoff. Augustine Williams threatened to score in the 48th minute, getting behind Hartford’s back line and just missing the net on his shot from inside the box. He didn’t miss the net on his second try a minute later, one-timing his shot from the top of the box and beating Richard Sànchez to the bottom right corner.
Down by a goal after a forgetful run of play, the Green and Blue responded well and equalized in the 60th minute. After a short corner was deflected back out to Antoine Hoppenot, the forward fired another cross from inside the box that rattled off a…