April 29, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Hartford Athletic News Release
Date: Sunday, April 30th, 2023
Time: 5:00 PM ET
Location: Protective Stadium, Birmingham, Alabama
Streaming: ESPN Plus or WTNH.com
HARTFORD ATHLETIC (1-3-2) at BIRMINGHAM LEGION FC (4-2-1)
LAST TIME OUT (USL CHAMPIONSHIP)
Hartford Athletic are coming off their first victory of the USL Championship season on Saturday, April 15th, 2-1 over Oakland Roots SC. Back-to-back first half goals from Prince Saydee and Jeciel Cedeño made the difference, adding exclamation points to Hartford’s best half of the season so far. They found themselves defending for much of the second half, and conceded a penalty kick after a hand ball was called on Triston Hodge in the 73rd minute. Hartford would hold on, however, and took home three much-needed points into a bye week.
LAST TIME OUT (OPEN CUP)
Hartford had a quality showing against MLS side New England Revolution in the Open Cup this Tuesday, but fell 2-1 in the end. They played a fine first half despite not scoring a goal, taking nine total shots, five inside the box, three of them on target, including two that hit the post. Hartford got their equalizer in the 52nd minute when Prince Saydee made a blistering run and found Antoine Hoppenot across the box for a tap in. New England delivered the dagger in the 76th minute with a goal from Dave Romney, and Hartford were unable to find a second goal.
ABOUT THE OPPONENT
Birmingham Legion FC hold a 4-0-2 record, coming off of a high intensity 2-1 victory against Orange County SC at Championship Soccer Stadium. Scoring opened up in the 30th minute when Orange County’s Lasse Nielsen received a cross into the six yard box and fired a one time shot into the back of the net to lead 1-0. Just three minutes later in the 33rd minute, Birmingham’s Juan Agudelo danced around two defenders in the box and responded with a goal to level the match at 1-1. The deciding goal was scored by Enzo Martinez in the 59th minute when he received a pass from the endline and was perfectly positioned to touch it past Orange County goalkeeper Cody Cropper. The remainder of the match was thrilling with Orange County producing multiple threatening chances, but Birmingham’s goalkeeper Trevor Spangenburg kept Birmingham ahead with a crucial stoppage-time save. Hartford and Birmingham previously saw each other on the pitch this season at Trinity Health Stadium, where Hartford fell short with a score of 1-0. The possession on…