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USL Hartford Athletic

Hartford Fall to Memphis 4-2

September 16, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Hartford Athletic News Release


Hartford took a 2-1 lead into halftime tonight, but three second half goals from Memphis 901 FC secured the victory for the home side. Hartford fell 4-2.

Hartford Athletic began tonight's match with two scoring chances before the fifth minute. On a breakout in transition, Edgardo Rito led a ball into the box to Elvis Amoh. The striker placed his shot into the top left corner of the net, but the goal was called off due to Amoh being offside. A minute later, Prince Saydee received a quality through ball from Elvis Amoh towards goal. Saydee beat the charging keeper Drew Romig, but his shot was blocked at the goal line by Akeem Ward.

Memphis put pressure on Hartford in the 17th minute, and Luiz Fernando drew a penalty inside the box on Ash Apollon. Bruno Lapa took the penalty and converted it to give the home side the 1-0 lead. Hartford responded well, knocking on the door in the Memphis third just minutes later and eventually getting a goal from Prince Saydee in the 26th minute. Saydee faked to his left and beat his defender to his right, and looped his shot into the bottom left corner of the net from just inside the box. Seven minutes later, Saydee completed the brace and gave his team a 2-1 lead with a beautiful strike. He intercepted a poor pass from Romig in Memphis' third and snuck a front-spinning shot into the top left corner of the net, tickling the twine and leaving Romig standing still. Edgardo Rito picked up the assist, and Saydee brought his goal total up to seven on the season to tie Kyle Edwards for the team lead. Hartford remained ahead going into the half.

Three unanswered goals from 901 FC headlined the story of the second half. 15 minutes in, Aiden McFadden played a cross into the Hartford box and a sliding Samuel Careaga tapped his shot into the bottom left corner off a half volley. In the 73rd minute, the home side regained the lead on an excellent strike from Bruno Lapa that mirrored Saydee's goal from earlier in the game. Four minutes later, Rodrigo da Costa extended the Memphis lead to 4-2. On a free kick from just outside the top right corner of the box, Luiz Fernando finessed his shot off the crossbar and down across the goal line to beat Sánchez.

Athletic were unable to get back into the game, generating just seven touches in Memphis's box and just one shot on target in the half. 4-2 was the final score. Hartford's record when leading at halftime is now 3-3-2.

Richard Sánchez made four saves for Hartford and Niall Logue booted seven clearances. Edgardo Rito's assist on Saydee's first goal was his first in Green and Blue. Hartford Athletic stay on the road with a matchup at Detroit City next Saturday September 23rd. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM.

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