Hartford Athletic Captain Danny Barrera has re-signed with the team ahead of the 2022 season, pending league and federation approval. Barrera is the longest tenured member of the club after joining in the inaugural season in 2019.
"This community has become home for me and my family and I am thrilled to be back with Hartford Athletic for a fourth season,” Barrera said. “I’m looking forward to working with Coach Watling again and building on last year's successes. Our goal is to get back to the playoffs and every day, we’ll be giving everything we have on and off the pitch to get back there.”
Barrera turned in the best season of his career in 2021, scoring eight goals and notching a league high twelve assists. He was named to the USL Championship’s All-League First Team for his performance, the first Hartford player to earn such an honor. Barrera is Hartford’s all-time leader in goals scored (13), assists (23), key passes (154) and USL Championship appearances (65). He is widely known among Hartford fans for the “Immaculate Deflection” in 2020 – a goal in which he scored via scorpion kick to win the game and help clinch the Group F title for Hartford Athletic.
"Danny is the captain and the heartbeat of this team. I am very happy that he will be back on the pitch for us in 2022,” said Hartford Athletic Head Coach Harry Watling. “Every time Danny gets the ball, you think something is going to happen. I love his imagination and creativity, but equally as important is his leadership and mentorship of the young players on this team. We will look to him to provide that again this season.”
After 100+ youth players attended the first edition of the Danny Barrera Skills Clinic this weekend, Danny and Hartford Athletic are launching a second session of the clinic from December 27-30. To sign up, visit https://www.hartfordathletic.com/clinics. More information on returning players, new player signings, and the 2022 schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.
Hartford Athletic Captain Danny Barrera has re-signed with the team ahead of the 2022 season, pending league and federation approval. Barrera is the longest tenured member of the club after joining in the inaugural season in 2019.Â
“This community has become home for me and my family and I am thrilled to be back with Hartford Athletic for a fourth season,” Barrera said. “I’m looking forward to working with Coach Watling again and building on last year’s successes. Our goal is to get back to the playoffs and every day, we’ll be giving everything we have on and off the pitch to get back there.” Â
Barrera turned in the best season of his career in 2021, scoring eight goals and notching a league high twelve assists. He was named to the USL Championship’s All-League First Team for his performance, the first Hartford player to earn such an honor. Barrera is Hartford’s all-time leader in goals scored (13), assists (23), key passes (154) and USL Championship appearances (65). He is widely known among Hartford fans for the “Immaculate Deflection” in 2020 – a goal in which he scored via scorpion kick to win the game and help clinch the Group F title for Hartford Athletic. Â
“Danny is the captain and the heartbeat of this team. I am very happy that he will be back on the pitch for us in 2022,” said Hartford Athletic Head Coach Harry Watling. “Every time Danny gets the ball, you think something is going to happen. I love his imagination and creativity, but equally as important is his leadership and mentorship of the young players on this team. We will look to him to provide that again this season.”Â
After 100+ youth players attended the first edition of the Danny Barrera Skills Clinic this weekend, Danny and Hartford Athletic are launching a second session of the clinic from December 27-30. To sign up, visit https://www.hartfordathletic.com/clinics. More information on returning players, new player signings, and the 2022 schedule will be announced in the coming weeks.Â
