PRESENTED BY TRAVELERS
Date: Saturday, April 20th, 2024
Time: 5:00 PM ET
Location: Trinity Health Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut
Tickets: HERE
Watch: MyTV9, wtnh.com, ESPN+
HARTFORD ATHLETIC (3-1-0) vs SAN ANTONIO FC (2-1-3)
Back to their USL Championship schedule, Hartford Athletic have an important matchup with San Antonio FC tomorrow night at home before hitting the road for back to back weeks.
LAST TIME OUT
Hartford Athletic are coming off a 3-2 loss to NYCFC II in the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, April 17th at home. Hartford outshot New York 11 to three in the first half, and had multiple scoring threats. Enoch Mushagalusa was denied by Tomás Romero in the fourth minute, and Mamadou Dieng was called offside after putting the ball in the net in the sixth minute. Despite a quiet attacking first half for New York, the visitors took a 1-0 lead with a goal from Taylor Calheira early in the second half. Hartford responded in the 79th minute, as second half sub Romario Williams drew a penalty and converted the PK himself to bring Hartford level. The match required extra time, and Deshane Beckford threw the first punch by scoring in the second minute of the extra period for Hartford, but Athletic failed to protect their lead. Taylor Calheira headed in a second goal off a cross from Jonatahn Jiménez in the 99th minute. In second half of extra time, Máximo Carrizo scored on an open net rebound.
SHAUL STANDS OUT
Ian Shaul made his first start for Hartford on Wednesday, and the 18 year old made a promising impression. He played a part in Hartford’s best chances of the first half, creating four chances and taking two shots inside the box. He made an aggressive play on the ball to force a turnover in the fourth minute, then delivered a well-placed pass to set up a breakaway chance for Enoch Mushagalusa.
BETWEEN THE POSTS
FC Cincinnati loanee Paul Walters has been reliable in goal for Hartford through four games, making 14 saves and allowing just four goals (one being a PK, another being an own goal). He made a season-high five saves against Miami FC, including a point-blank denial of Frank LĂłpez in the 80th minute to keep Hartford ahead 2-1. Walters earned USL Championship Team of the Week honors in March for his three-save performance against Birmingham Legion as well. Hartford acquired Walters ahead of the season opener after Renan Ribeiro suffered a thigh injury, and the 19 year old has put together an impressive campaign so far in 2024.
THE HARTFORD PHALANX
Hartford Athletic have gotten out to a commanding start, boasting a 3-1-0 record and only trailing once through four USL Championship matches. Their success so far has not come from only individual performance, but a spread level of quality throughout all 11 players on the field. Hartford is tied for third in the league in total players with a shot on goal (11), with five players connecting. Of the six goals Hartford has put through this season, four were assisted.
ABOUT THE OPPONENT
On the opposite side of the league in the Western Conference, San Antonio sits in sixth place with a 2-1-3 record and have six games under their belt as opposed to Hartford’s four. They have been productive on the attack, placing top ten in the league in goals (eight) and tied for fourth in shots (76). They have also played consistently well on defense, tying Hartford for fifth in clean sheets (two), and are close to the top of the league in goals conceded (six).
MATCHUP HISTORY
Hartford Athletic played San Antonio for the first time last season, suffering a 5-2 loss in Texas on July 29th, 2023.
Pre-match Interviews
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Hartford Athletic: Anderson Asiedu, MF #12
Asiedu has been a Swiss army knife in the Hartford midfield, contributing significantly to the attack and defense. He leads all Hartford midfielders in shots (five), and leads the team in assists (two). Apart from his offensive impact, his presence on defense is just as significant. He ranks third on the team in interceptions (six), second in tackles (11) and tackles won (10).
San Antonio: Jorge Hernandez, MF #10
The 23-year-old facilitator has proven to be one of the primary offensive weapons for San Antonio this season. Despite his age, he has competed in the USL for seven seasons, playing his first match at just 16 years of age. So far this season he has shown a mix of selflessness and aggression, tied for a league-leading three assists and ranking third on the team in shots (six).
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
For live updates, follow along on twitter using the hashtag #HFDvSA
