July 25, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Hartford Athletic News Release
After a quick trip to Pittsburgh last week, Hartford Athletic are back at Trinity Health Stadium to kick off a two game home stand against Phoenix Rising FC this Friday.
LAST TIME OUT
Hartford Athletic are coming off a 3-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on the road last Saturday. Hartford had a slow start out of the gate, as a penalty in the box led to a successful PK from Edward Kizza to give the home side the lead in the fifth minute. The Hounds controlled the first half offensively, netting another goal in the 20th minute, and a third just a minute later to take a 3-0 lead. Battling from behind, Hartford managed to put one on the board with a goal from Mamadou Dieng in the 34th minute of the match. Emmanuel Samadia sent a perfectly placed ball across Pittsburgh’s box to Dieng, who fired a header down and past Eric Dick. The Green and Blue took three more shots in the second half, but couldn’t find a goal. The match ended with a final score of 3-1.
MATCHUP HISTORY
Friday’s matchup marks the third time that the Green and Blue will go head-to-head against Phoenix Rising FC in league history. The two clubs first saw each other in May of 2022 during which Hartford suffered a 2-1 loss at home to their Western Conference opponent. A year later Hartford fell 3-1 on the road to Phoenix. The Green and Blue found themselves battling from behind just five minutes into play after Danny Trejo fired in the low ball across the goal line to start the scoring for Rising. The match changed course just minutes before halftime when a penalty kick went Hartford’s way and Kyle Edwards buried a shot in net to end the half 1-1. Phoenix capitalized on a defensive error from Hartford in the 73rd minute of play to raise the score to 2-1. The home team found the back of the net again in the 81st minute to score the final goal of the match, securing a 3-1 victory against the Green and Blue.
FAMILIAR FACES
Joe Farrell, DF, #15
Joe Farrell will be a very familiar face for Phoenix Rising upon their arrival at Trinity Health Stadium this Friday. Before becoming a key component of Hartford’s defensive line, the Pennsylvania native spent four seasons with Rising. Farrell signed with his former club in December of 2017 and remained with the team until December of 2022. During his time in Phoenix, the center back started 96 matches and contributed eight goals and five assists, helping lead the club to the…