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USL Hartford Athletic

Back at Home, Hartford Look to Avenge Week One Loss to Riverhounds

July 22, 2022 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Hartford Athletic News Release


Date: Saturday, July 23rd, 2022

Time: 7:00 PM ET

Location: Trinity Health Stadium, Hartford, CT

Local TV: WCTX MyTV9

Streaming: ESPN+ or hartfordathletic.com/watch

HARTFORD ATHLETIC (4-11-4) vs PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS (10-6-4)

LAST TIME OUT

Hartford Athletic are coming off 3-1 a road loss to Charleston Battery last Saturday night. Charleston's first goal came off a turnover in Hartford's back line that left Yannik Oettl out of his net, creating an easy finish for standout striker Augustine Williams. The visiting side responded quickly with a goal from Prince Saydee nine minutes later, but it was all Battery from that moment on. They regained the lead before the half when Enock Kwakwa booted in a rebound after a free kick opportunity in Hartford's third. Hartford had their biggest chance of the night off of a well-executed free kick in the 39th minute that fell to the feet of Rashawn Dally, but Charleston keeper Hugo Fauroux made a quality save on his shot attempt. Williams opened up the second half with a fantastic header for his second goal of the night in the 53rd minute, giving his club a 3-1 lead. Hartford had just three shots in the second half.

AN INTERESTING HISTORY

Hartford Athletic and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds have faced off 10 times since Hartford entered the league in 2019, the second most matchups that the Green and Blue have had with one club. The copious meetings have created a variety of both tight and lopsided results, ranging from a 1-0 Hartford victory in 2020, a 5-0 Pittsburgh win in the same season, and a 0-0 draw in the last game of the 2021 season, among others. It's been a matchup Hartford have largely been on the wrong side of, posting a 1-7-2 record against the Hounds.

SHARING HIS WEALTH

Forward Alex Dixon is now in his second season with the Riverhounds after scoring 11 goals over two seasons with Hartford Athletic, the third most in club history. He has a history of burning his former club, as he scored two goals in a 3-1 victory over Hartford at Highmark Stadium last season. This year, Dixon has four goals and six assists. The eight-year USL Championship veteran has shared some of his best seasons with Hartford and Pittsburgh.

TWO ALL-TIME GREAT DISTRIBUTORS

The top two all-time USL Championship assist leaders will meet on Saturday night. Pittsburgh's Kenardo Forbes enters the match as the record holder with 52 all-time assists, and Danny Barrera enters at second all-time with 45. The veteran midfielders started out the year with just one helper separating them, Forbes with 45 and Barrera with 44. However, Forbes has extended his lead with seven assists so far (tied for second in the league) to just one for Barrera. The Hartford captain could gain some ground on Forbes on Saturday night.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Hartford Athletic, Andre Lewis, MF #77

Andre Lewis has been a consistent bright spot for Hartford Athletic over the past few weeks. The Jamaican midfielder has found his stride midway through the season, contributing to goals in three straight games. He earned Team of the Week honors for his performance in Hartford's 2-0 victory over Colorado on June 28th, in which he scored a goal and created two chances. He bagged another goal later that week against Detroit, and picked up an assist last Saturday in Charleston. Lewis has been an important piece for Hartford all season, appearing in all but one game and making 13 starts, and he is currently second on the team in chances created (29).

Pittsburgh Riverhounds, Russell Cicerone, FW #10

Russell Cicerone has picked up his goal scoring pace recently, scoring four goals over Pittsburgh's last five games. He had a career year in 2021 with 16 goals, and has followed it up nicely in 2022. The forward has earned Team of the Week honors three times and has added three assists to his eight goals. He scored three goals against Hartford Athletic last season, including a stoppage time winner in Hartford on August 28th, 2021.

ABOUT THE OPPONENT

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds are 3-1-1 in their last five matches and are coming off a 1-1 tie to New Mexico United last Saturday. They went down 1-0 in the first minute of the match, and awaited an equalizer that came in the 75th minute from Dane Kelly. The Hounds have been one of the most consistent teams in the Eastern Conference, posting a 10-6-4 record and having just one poor stretch of three straight losses. Russell Cicerone leads the club with eight goals and three assists.

INJURY REPORT

Hartford Athletic:

Out: Jimmy Slayton (Knee)

Pittsburgh Riverhounds:

Out: Robbie Dambrot (Tonsilectomy)

Questionable: Dane Kelly (Lower Body)

JOIN THE CONVERSATION: For live updates, follow along on twitter using the hashtag #HFDvPIT

Check out the Hartford Athletic Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 22, 2022


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