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USL Hartford Athletic

Hartford Chases Redemption on Road Trip to Bethlehem

August 1, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Hartford Athletic News Release


Hartford Athletic will hit the road once again for a Thursday night battle with Bethlehem Steel FC. The boys in green will hope to avenge last month's defeat to the Philadelphia Union development side by stealing three points at Talen Energy Stadium.

BETHLEHEM STEEL FC vs. HARTFORD ATHLETIC

Date: Thursday, August 1

Time: 5:00 PM ET

Location: Talen Energy Stadium, Chester, PA 19013

Streaming: ESPN+

Local TV: None

WHERE TO WATCH:

Thomas Hooker Brewery at Colt, 140 Huyshope Ave., Hartford, CT

City Steam Brewery and Cafe, 942 Main St., Hartford

TK's American Cafe, 255 White St., Danbury

2nd Bridge Brewing Co., 642 Hilliard St., Manchester

Lakeview Restaurant & Bar, 50 Lake St., Coventry

V's Trattoria, 280 Trumbull St., Hartford, CT 06103

LAST TIME OUT:

Hartford Athletic fell to Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on Saturday night, losing 4-2 at Dillon Stadium. Despite going behind after a 13th minute, counter-attack goal by Steevan Dos Santos, the boys in green (fueled by multiple, spectacular Frederik Due saves) remained competitive for most of the first half. However, Pittsburgh eventually blew the match wide open, hitting the back of the net twice in as many minutes. Midfielder Anthony Velarde pounced on a deflected cross to double the Riverhounds' advantage in the 37th minute, and the visitors took full control of the match in the 38th, when Dos Santos' shot from just inside the penalty area deflected off Kyle Curinga and rolled into the bottom right corner. Hartford hit the back of the net twice in the second half; Mads Jørgensen curled a phenomenal free kick into the top right corner in the 47th minute, and Sebastian Dalgaard marked his return from injury with a bar-down volley in the 84th. However, Neco Brett's brilliant, 76th minute solo goal kept Athletic's comeback attempt at bay, and Pittsburgh left Dillon with a convincing road victory.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Hartford Athletic - Mads Jørgensen, MF

Jørgensen is one of Hartford's most talented players, and he has hit his stride in the last two matches. The Danish midfielder had one of the goals of the season with his first touch against Charleston Battery, piercing the top right corner with a 35-yard rocket. Mads found the same corner of the net again last weekend, this time with a curling free-kick from just outside the penalty area. The 21-year old has a knack for big goals in key moments, and if he can carve out space for more long-range efforts, Bethlehem goalkeeper Tomás Romero may have his work cut out for him.

Bethlehem Steel FC - Issa Rayyan, MF

Rayyan, an attacking midfielder, is a very dangerous and versatile threat going forward. The American has scored all three of his goals in the last five matches, recording a brace in a home defeat against New York Red Bulls II and opening his account against Hartford earlier in the year. The 18-year old has also shown flashes of incisive distribution, dishing out 2 assists and 10 key passes in 2019. Hartford's back line must limit Rayyan's linkup play with leading scorer Faris if it hopes to curb the Bethlehem attack on Thursday night.

ABOUT THE OPPONENT:

Bethlehem Steel FC currently sits in 12th in the Eastern Conference standings, obtaining 22 points from 21 matches. Philadelphia Union's development side is in the thick of the playoff race, trailing 10th-placed Saint Louis FC by just two points. However, Steel FC's July form has been a bit rocky; Coach Brendan Burke's side has dropped 3 of its last 4 matches and been outscored 8-4. The boys from Bethlehem will look to right the ship with a victory over Hartford, a side that they beat 3-0 on June 29.

FOLLOW ONLINE:

Updates on the match will be provided via Twitter at @hfdathletic or by following #BSTvHFD.

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