July 19, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Hartford Athletic News Release
The Green and Blue are in Pittsburgh tomorrow night with the chance to complete the first ever season sweep of the Riverhounds in Club history.
LAST TIME OUT
Hartford Athletic are coming off a 2-2 draw to the Charleston Battery at home. The Green and Blue were in control in the first half, commanding their attacking play in Charleston’s third and limiting the visitors to just five touches in their box. Michee Ngalina was involved in both goals for Hartford, assisting the first one by smashing a cross from Younes Boudadi off of Mamadou Dieng and into the net, then chipping his shot up and over Adam Grinwis just before the end of the half after a brilliant through ball from Anderson Asiedu. Minutes into the second half, Renan Ribeiro was given back to back yellow cards and a subsequent red card. Hartford defended valiantly for the remainder of the match while down a man, but Charleston were able to equalize before the final whistle. Nathan Dossantos fired a shot through traffic in the box that beat Greg Monroe in the 70th minute, and Nick Markanich headed in the leveler in the 90th minute.
MATCHUP HISTORY
Saturday marks the 15th time that Hartford will face off against Pittsburgh, tied for the most matchups they’ve had with any other club (ccLoudoun United). The Green and Blue have a 2-10-2 record against the Hounds, collecting a 2-0 home victory in their most recent match against the Eastern Conference opponent on June 15th. Hartford dominated in the attacking third, collecting the quickest goal of their season and leading by two in the first 20 minutes of play. The outcome marked Hartford’s second-ever victory against the Hounds, the first coming back in September of 2020 during a (1-0 at Highmark Stadium).
STRUGGLING STRETCH
The Hound’s recent win over Oakland Roots marks the club’s first victory since a 1-0 result on May 4th against Miami FC, the team sitting last in the Eastern Conference standings. Pittsburgh’s victory breaks a 10-game winless streak consisting of four draws and six losses stretching across two months.
DEFENSIVE SPOTLIGHT
Joey Akpunonu was a defensive force for Hartford in the club’s victory against Charleston Battery on Saturday for his 10th appearance and sixth start for the Green and Blue. The 22-year-old Ohio native came through with a defensive gem in the 72nd minute of the match, turning away two Charleston shots with back to back goal line…