June 14, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Hartford Athletic News Release
Hartford Athletic are back at home and face a crucial Eastern Conference matchup against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, who sit just a point above the Green and Blue in the conference standings.
LAST TIME OUT
Hartford Athletic are coming off a 1-0 loss to New Mexico United on the road. The Green and Blue defended for much of the match, controlling just 37% of the possession and facing 15 shots from New Mexico. They stayed composed through a slew of first half chances from the home side, including a shot off the post from Christopher Gloster in the 28th minute. The Green and Blue spent more time in New Mexico’s third in the second half (35 final third entries), but the home side broke through in the late stages of the match. Marco Micaletto drove the ball low into the box, and Bruce touched just enough of it to float it into the bottom right corner. Hartford were unable to find an equalizer in the remaining minutes, and fell 1-0 despite a brave defensive effort on the road.
MATCHUP HISTORY
Saturday marks the 14th time that Hartford will face off against Pittsburgh, tied for the most matchups they’ve had with any team (Loudoun United). The Green and Blue have a 1-10-2 record against the Hounds, with their only victory against the familiar Eastern Conference foe coming back on September 26th, 2020 during a (1-0 at Highmark Stadium). Hartford last saw the Hounds at home on August 23rd, 2023, and suffered a gut-wrenching loss. Athletic gave up three early goals, but made a miraculous comeback to level the score 3-3 late in the match. The Hounds snuck a fourth goal past Joe Rice to raise the score 4-3, marking the sixth match between the two teams that has been decided by just one goal.
TWO ALL-TIME GREATS ON ONE PITCH
Saturday’s match will feature two of the USL Championship’s all-time great players and distributors: Danny Barrera and Kenardo Forbes. Both players in their 10th season in the Championship, the two assist men go toe-to-toe in multiple distribution categories in the league record book. Most notably, Forbes currently holds the most assists in league history (65), while Barrera holds the third most (50). Both players are tied for the single game record for most assists (three), and Barrera is second all-time for most consecutive games with an assist (five). Recently, the 34 year old was a halftime sub for Hartford against New Mexico, seeing his most significant…