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USL Hartford Athletic

Hartford Athletic Sign Veteran Defender Joe Farrell

December 4, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Hartford Athletic News Release


Hartford Athletic have signed eight-year USL Championship veteran defender Joe Farrell ahead of the 2024 season, pending league and federation approval.

Farrell comes to Hartford with over 1,500 minutes played in nearly 200 appearances in the USL Championship. He spent 2023 with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and was a mainstay in their backline, making 27 appearances and 18 starts. The six-foot-two defender was excellent in the air, winning 71 aerial duels, while also booting 73 clearances. Farrell added three goals to round out an excellent 2023 campaign.

"A big goal this off season has been to firm up our defense. Welcoming Joe to the Club gives us an experienced center back with a strong pedigree and track record in the league. We are thrilled to add him to our defensive unit in 2024," said Hartford Athletic CEO Nick Sakiewicz. "His experience and winning mentality will bring stability to our back line and he'll be one of the leaders of our defense this season."

The 29 year old began his professional career with former USL Championship club Rochester Rhinos, where he earned All-League Second Team honors as a rookie in 2016. Farrell went on to spend five outstanding seasons with Phoenix Rising FC from 2018 to 2022. He made 96 starts and anchored their back line, helping lead them to Western Conference Championships in 2018 and 2020. Rising FC conceded less than 45 goals in all but one season of Farrell's tenure, and landed in the bottom 10 in goals conceded three times with him at the center of their defensive efforts.

A native of Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, Farrell attended La Salle University from 2012 to 2015, where he was the La Salle Athletics Male Scholar-Athlete of the year as a senior. He scored 16 goals and logged 16 assists in four seasons with the Explorers.

Hartford's 2024 roster is growing with more announcements to come! Watch the new squad at Trinity Health Stadium by locking up the best seats with season tickets. Secure the best seat options at the best prices at HartfordAthletic.com/seasontickets.

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