PRESENTED BY TRAVELERS
Date: Saturday, March 19th, 2022
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Location: Highmark Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
Local TV: WCTX MyTV9
Watch Party: Join us at Thomas Hooker Brewery at Colt for our watch party RSVP here.
Streaming: ESPN+Â or hartfordathletic.com/watch
HARTFORD ATHLETIC (0-0-0) vs PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS (1-0-0)
TUNING UP FOR 2022:
Over six preseason friendlies, Hartford Athletic tallied 12 goals, five of which were scored by new signings (Lewis, Dally, Curry, O’Brien). Their final preseason game was a 7-1 victory over Newtown Pride FC, led by a first half brace from Juan Carlos Obregón Jr., and a second half brace from Mitchell Curry. Younes Boudadi recorded two assists over the six fixtures as well.
CHASING HISTORY HEAD ON:
Hartford Athletic captain Danny Barrera enters the 2022 season with 44 assists, just one shy of the USL Championship all-time record. Coming off a season in which he won the assists crown (12) and was a USL Championship All-League First Team selection, he has a chance to take that record directly from its holder on Saturday night as Pittsburgh midfielder Kenardo Forbes is the current record holder with 45. This factor adds some drama to this division matchup, as the record could switch hands multiple times and is likely to do so throughout the season.
SEASON OPENERS:
Hartford Athletic are 2-1 all time in season openers, all of which have come on the road. In 2021, Juan Carlos Obregon Jr. scored his first of 10 goals on the season in the opener, which contributed to a 3-2 win over New York Red Bulls II.
FROM THE GAFFER:
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Hartford Athletic, Juan Carlos ObregĂłn Jr., FW, #9
One of the most notable resignings of 2022 for Hartford Athletic, Juan Carlos Obregón Jr. scored a single season club record 10 goals in his 2021 campaign and will be looking to pick up where he left off in 2022. He’s coming off a first half brace in Hartford’s final preseason game on March 11th, and if he’s able to get on the scoresheet early against Pittsburgh, the Boys in Green will have a great chance at taking three points on the road.
Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Alex Dixon, FW, #7
Former Hartford Athletic forward Alex Dixon is now in his second season with the Hounds after scoring 11 goals over two seasons with Hartford Athletic (2019, 2020), second most in club history. He has a history of burning his former club, as he appeared in all four matches against Hartford last season and scored two goals in a 3-1 victory over Hartford at Highmark Stadium in July. A versatile offensive player, he recorded two assists in Pittsburgh’s 3-0 victory over Memphis last week and will surely be hunting for his first goal of 2022 against his former club and division rival on Saturday.
INJURY REPORT:
Hartford Athletic:
None
Pittsburgh Riverhounds:
None
ABOUT THE OPPONENT:
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds enter the match tied for first in the Atlantic Division with a 1-0-0 record, coming off a 3-0 season opening victory at Memphis 901 FC. The three goals came from Dane Kelly, Russell Cicerone, and Albert Dikwa. Hartford Athletic are 1-2-6 all-time against Pittsburgh and 1-4-0 in matches at Highmark Stadium. After their week one victory, the Hounds have an opportunity to to begin the season with consecutive victories for the first time in the team’s 23-season history.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
Follow along on twitter @hfdathletic and #PITvHFD
