July 2, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Hartford Athletic News Release
Hartford Athletic are heading back to the East Coast to challenge Loudoun United FC on Wednesday for the second match of their two-game road trip.
LAST TIME OUT
Hartford Athletic are coming off a 1-0 loss to Sacrameno Republic FC on the road last Saturday, June 29th. Athletic held Republic FC scoreless for 86 minutes, but a late Sebástian Herrera goal spoiled their effort towards taking a point on the road. Hartford had their chances to take the lead themselves, including a one-on-one breakaway from Michee Ngalina that ended with a quality save from Danny Vitiello in the 69th minute. Herrera broke through for Sacramento by tapping the ball in the open net off a rebound of a Kieran Phillips shot that was saved by Renan Ribeiro, but not secured. Hartford nearly equalized in stoppage time, but Vitiello came up big again to deny a shot from Mamadou Dieng from inside the box. Vitiello ended with three saves, and Ribeiro with four.
MATCHUP HISTORY
Hartford Athletic have a deep history with Loudoun United across four seasons. They have faced the Northern Virginia side 14 times (most matchups with a team in club history) since both clubs entered the league in 2019, and Hartford have dominated the series like no other matchup they’ve had. The Green and Blue hold a commanding 11-2-1 overall record againstLoudoun, going undefeated through the first 11 matchups and finally conceding a loss in September of 2022. They made history against Loudoun in 2019, picking the club’s first ever USL Championship victory (2-0) at Audi field in Washington, D.C. A year ago, however, it was Loudoun emerging victorious behind an 83rd minute goal from Tommy Williamson to make the score 2-1.
ABOUT THE OPPONENT
Loudoun United FC are coming into Wednesday’s match with momentum after picking up an impressive 2-0 win against the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday. The victory marks the sixth straight unbeaten match for Loudoun United, the longest run in the club’s history. “I thought that was our best performance of the year, start to finish,” said head coach Ryan Martin on his team’s outcome. The Virginia-based team currently sits seventh on the table in the Eastern Conference with a record of 6-6-4 this season.
ON THE TABLE
Hartford Athletic currently sit 10th on the table in the Eastern Conference standings, just two points behind North Carolina and in reach of the eighth-place position above the…
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