May 6, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Hartford Athletic News Release
A first half goal and a late dagger buried Hartford Athletic tonight, dropping their second league match in a row 2-0 to Memphis 901 FC.
Both teams were quiet offensively through the early stages of the first half of tonight’s match, with much of the action happening in the middle of the field. As the half went on, the Hartford back line had trouble keeping up with the pace of Memphis’s forwards. 901 FC were able to create five offensive chances, putting two shots on target and breaking through to score in the 32nd minute. Phillip Goodrum played a lead ball from midfield for Luiz Fernando, who was able to sprint past Robin Lapert and into the Hartford box. Fernando toe-poked a perfect low cross to Laurent Kissiedou in-stride, and the French forward roofed his shot to the top of the net.
Memphis had one more threat before the end of the half that was wiped out by a strong defensive play from Conor McGlynn. Kissiedou got in behind in the Hartford box again and tried to get the ball across to an open Goodrum, but McGlynn made a clean interception of the pass to save a wide open chance for Memphis before the end of the half.
Hartford were unable to put much pressure on Memphis in the first 45 minutes, taking just one shot that was off target.
The Green and Blue began the second half on the comeback trail, and immediately began creating offensive opportunities. Just three minutes into the half, Kyle Edwards received a corner kick feed from Danny Barrera and headed his shot just above the crossbar. Prince Saydee fired a shot on target five minutes later, and Danny Barrera followed up with another.
The game remained tied as it entered the final 10 minutes, and Hartford continued to knock on the door. They had their best chance of the game when Matt Sheldon lobbed a throw-in into the box that was headed down by Barrera and fell to Antoine Hoppenot just outside the six yard box, but Bill Hamid made a quality save on his shot from close distance. That would be Hartford’s last chance at equalizing, as Rashawn Dally scored on a counter attacking chance for Memphis just a minute later. The visitors would hold on to the 2-0 lead the rest of the way.
Richard Sánchez did well to keep Hartford in the game, making four saves after Memphis had 12 shots inside Hartford’s box and challenged him and the back line consistently. Despite the loss, it was a positive night for Hartford’s Dren…