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USL Hartford Athletic

Hartford Hopes to be Big in Texas

June 3, 2022 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Hartford Athletic News Release


Date: Saturday, June 4th, 2022

Time: 9:30 PM ET

Location: Southwest University Park, El Paso, Texas

Local TV: WCTX MyTV9

Streaming: ESPN+ or hartfordathletic.com/watch

HARTFORD ATHLETIC (2-7-1) vs EL PASO LOCOMOTIVE FC (6-6-2)

LAST TIME OUT

Hartford Athletic are heading to El Paso following a 2-1 loss to Phoenix Rising FC last Saturday. Hartford struck first and early against Phoenix, scoring in the 20th minute. Younes Boudadi delivered a cross into the box, Corey Hertzog flicked a touch to allow Prince Saydee to finish on an open net. Rising quickly answered with two goals in a three minute span between the 35th and 37th minutes. Athletic saw many opportunities to tie the game, posting a season-high in shots in league play, but was unable to find the back of the net for a second time. Hartford only scored a lone goal, despite having 1.8 expected goals.

ROAD WARRIORS

Because the May 21st match at Tulsa was postponed, this week's game in El Paso will be Hartford Athletic's first away game since they fell 0-1 to Indy Eleven on April 30. The club found success during this recent home stand, capturing their first two wins of the season and putting up a strong effort against an impressive Phoenix team. With a two-game road trip coming up, Hartford will look to get off on the right foot this weekend and channel their home talents against Locomotive Saturday.

BE THE BIGGER TEAM

After the loss to Phoenix last Saturday, Head Coach Harry Watling stressed the importance of taking the field with the mindset of the predator rather than the prey, "We've got to stop looking at a Phoenix and a Tampa and playing like the underdog. We've had enough of that. We have to play like the big team every game." Watling elaborated to say that Hartford has played like the big team at times in each of their last 2 matches, such as the second half against Phoenix. Athletic will be looking to take the field and "play like a big team" for a full 90 minutes in El Paso on Saturday.

FROM THE GAFFER

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Hartford Athletic, Prince Saydee, FW #7

Since a one-game absence at the end of April due to a hamstring injury, Prince Saydee has certainly made his presence felt on the Green and Blue attack with nine total shots over the last three contests. Five of those came against a stout Phoenix Rising FC squad, with the Liberian converting in the 20th minute on a beautiful left-footed touch that dribbled past the sprawling Rising goalkeeper. The veteran's poise with the ball and blazing lateral speed is a thing of beauty, and Saydee will be a handful for opposing back lines as the season rolls on.

El Paso Locomotive, Dylan Mares, MF #10

Dylan Mares is an aggressive playmaker on both sides of the ball and has contributed greatly to the Locomotive's recent successes. He scored the decisive goal in an improbable 1-0 victory last time out against Las Vegas Lights FC despite playing a man down for the duration of the second half. The former Louisville Cardinal and Indiana Hoosier hopes to build upon his solid campaign so far and solidify El Paso's position as a USL Championship Western Conference powerhouse.

ABOUT THE OPPONENT

El Paso Locomotive is returning home after capturing a 1-0 win against Las Vegas Lights FC. Locomotive have scored just four goals in their last four games. Despite recent scoring woes, El Paso still remains one of the USL's best attacking clubs. They have scored multiple goals in half of their matches and currently have the most goals in the USL Championship at 28. Much of this offensive prowess can be attributed to their ball movement, as they're also leading the league in passing accuracy at 85%. Locomotive does struggle with discipline though, conceding the most fouls and yellow cards in league play with 188 and 44 respectively.

INJURY REPORT:

Hartford Athletic:

Out: Ariel Martinez (Achilles), Juan Carlos Obregón Jr. (Knee), Damon Rouse (Concussion)

El Paso Locomotive FC:

Out: Chapa Herrera (Lower body), Emmanuel Sonupe (Lower body)

Suspended: Luis Solignac (Red card)

JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

Follow along on twitter @hfdathletic and #ELPvHFD

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