April 25, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Hartford Athletic News Release
A great night from Prince Saydee and a second half equalizer from Antoine Hoppenot was not enough for Hartford against the New England Revolution tonight, despite a quality showing overall. They fell 2-1 and are out of the U.S. Open Cup.
Tonight’s match got off its feet in a hurry. After a steady opening for both teams, Hartford had a major scoring chance on the counterattack that came inches away from giving them a lead in the seventh minute. After a clearance from Robin Lapert, Juan Pablo Torres lobbed a ball across midfield that was misplayed by Ben Sweat, opening up the counterattack for Hartford. Antoine Hoppenot gained possession and immediately attacked the New England third with Jeciel Cedeño and Prince Saydee sprinting with him, developing a three-on-two opportunity. Hoppenot pin-pointed a low pass across the box to Saydee, who took a one-timed left-footed shot that rang off the post. A golden opportunity for Hartford and a wonderful connection between Hoppenot and Saydee, but no goal to show for it.
The Revolution answered Hartford’s early threat in the thirteenth minute, scoring off of a corner kick. With his back to the net, Justin Rennicks headed Damián Rivera’s cross to the near post and past Richard Sánchez. A creative play from Rennicks, he was able to put enough power on his header from a sharp angle to bounce it off Sánchez’s hands and into the net.
Hartford did not falter after falling down 1-0, creating another scoring chance just a minute later. Jeciel Cedeńo connected with Prince Saydee, who booted a shot just above the New England crossbar. In the 17th minute, Saydee dashed into the Revolution box and put a shot on target. Conor McGlynn challenged Edwards in the 35th minute, forcing a diving save on a shot from about 10 yards outside of the box. In the 39th minute, Hartford had another massive scoring chance that came up short. Prince Saydee made a dazzling run to chase down a ball from Kaveh Rad, and squared a low cross that was deflected by Edwards and bounced off of Antoine Hoppenot. With the ball loose in front of the net, Joshua Bolma’s clearing attempt deflected off of Omar González and off of the post, fell to Jeciel Cedeño, whose shot was blocked by Bolma. Another prime scoring chance for Hartford that was denied by the post.
Hartford took nine total shots, five inside the box, three of them on target, including two that hit…