Hartford Host North Carolina in Home Finale

October 11, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Hartford Athletic News Release

With a playoff spot still within reach, Hartford Athletic can use home field advantage for a final time in 2024 to pickup three points against North Carolina FC tomorrow night.

LAST TIME OUT

Hartford Athletic are coming off a 2-0 loss to Loudoun United FC last Saturday, snapping their seven-match undefeated streak. After a quiet first half that saw just two shots on target from Hartford, the match opened up when Beverly Makangila was called for a handball in Loudoun’s box in the 75th minute. Keegan Tingey took the penalty try for the visitors and converted, giving Loudoun the 1-0 lead.Just under 10 minutes later, Wesley Leggett fired a shot into the top right corner of the net to double their lead. The score remained the same the rest of the way.

SETTING THE SCENE

Hartford come into this matchup in 11th place in the East (37 points), and four points out of the playoffs. The 2-0 loss vs Loudoun United last Saturday marked Athletic’s first loss in 42 days, and they’re looking to rebound from this loss with three points vs 10th-place North Carolina (39 points). With four games left and 12 points to play for, this is a crucial bout for Athletic. The Green and Blue will be down four men on Saturday, as Thomas Vancaeyezeele, Triston Hodge, Emmanuel Samadia, and Kyle Edwards will all be out with their respective national teams. Hartford will have some reinforcements though, as Jordan Scarlett returns to the starting lineup after missing last Saturday’s game against Loudoun United after receiving a red card against Oakland Roots.

MATCHUP HISTORY

Hartford Athletic are 0-1-2 in the three prior matchups against North Carolina FC, two coming in 2019 and the other earlier this season. North Carolina won the last matchup on March 29th at WakeMed Park 2-1, carrying first half goals from Louis Perez (PK) and Oalex Anderson to a victory. The first and only home match for Hartford in this matchup on June 1st, 2019, at Rentschler Field resulted in a 1-1 draw. In that match, Harry Swartz scored the fastest goal in Hartford Athletic history (15 seconds).

PAINTING THE PLAYOFF PICTURE

Five points separate eighth place Birmingham Legion (42 points) and 11th place Hartford Athletic (37 points). North Carolina and Hartford have an edge on Birmingham, ninth place Loudoun United, and 10th place Pittsburgh, as both clubs hold an extra match on their schedule. Hartford can restart their climb up the…