May 12, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Hartford Athletic News Release
Date: Saturday, May 13th, 2023
Time: 10:30 PM ET
Location: Phoenix Rising Stadium at 38th St/Washington, Phoenix, Arizona
Streaming: ESPN Plus, WTNH.com, or MyTV9
HARTFORD ATHLETIC (1-5-2) at PHOENIX RISING FC (2-2-4)
LAST TIME OUT
Hartford Athletic are coming off a 2-0 loss to Memphis 901 FC at home. The Green and Blue struggled to get their feet off the ground in this match, taking just one shot in the first half. They conceded a goal from Laurent Kissiedou in the 32nd minute and went into half time down 1-0. They had an improved second half performance, but did not challenge Memphis’s back line consistently enough. Prince Saydee and Danny Barrera put shots on target in the first five minutes of the half, and Antoine Hoppenot nearly tied the game in the 82nd minute. Matt Sheldon lobbed a throw-in into the box that fell to Hoppenot in front of the net, but his shot was not squared and Bill Hamid made a quality save. Rashawn Dally provided the dagger for Memphis just a minute later, delivering Hartford their second loss at home this year.
UNCHARTED TERRITORY
Saturday will be Hartford’s first match at Phoenix Rising Soccer Stadium, and their second ever matchup with Rising FC. They faced off last year May 28, 2022, losing 2-1 after getting a loan goal from Prince Saydee. Phoenix’s Kevon Lambert and Greg Hurst recorded a goal each to defeat Hartford at Trinity Health Stadium.
FAULTY FINISHING
Hartford’s struggles on the offensive end have been apparent so far this season, but they have not come by lack of chance creation. Just last week in an otherwise forgetful performance against Memphis, they had chances to tie the game and totaled 1.11 expected goals, but came up empty. They are seventh in the league with 1.51 total expected goals so far, but pair that with a -0.12 xGD. One of the few teams with a worse xGD is Phoenix Rising FC (-0.41 xGD). Hartford also put 37.5% of their shots on target, which is in the top five in the Championship. For the Green and Blue, it’s more a matter of putting their chances away than it is a struggle to create them.
A LONG WAY TO GO
Despite a frustrating start with some crushing losses, Hartford Athletic find themselves just a couple of wins away from potentially eclipsing the playoff line. With 26 games left to play and 78 points left to play for, the Green and Blue have time to gain a chunk of points back. If they can get a win in Phoenix,…