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USL Hartford Athletic

Hartford Look to End Road Trip on a High Note at Birmingham on Sunday

April 29, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Hartford Athletic News Release


Date: Sunday, April 30th, 2023

Time: 5:00 PM ET

Location: Protective Stadium, Birmingham, Alabama

Streaming: ESPN Plus or WTNH.com

HARTFORD ATHLETIC (1-3-2) at BIRMINGHAM LEGION FC (4-2-1)

LAST TIME OUT (USL CHAMPIONSHIP)

Hartford Athletic are coming off their first victory of the USL Championship season on Saturday, April 15th, 2-1 over Oakland Roots SC. Back-to-back first half goals from Prince Saydee and Jeciel Cedeño made the difference, adding exclamation points to Hartford's best half of the season so far. They found themselves defending for much of the second half, and conceded a penalty kick after a hand ball was called on Triston Hodge in the 73rd minute. Hartford would hold on, however, and took home three much-needed points into a bye week.

LAST TIME OUT (OPEN CUP)

Hartford had a quality showing against MLS side New England Revolution in the Open Cup this Tuesday, but fell 2-1 in the end. They played a fine first half despite not scoring a goal, taking nine total shots, five inside the box, three of them on target, including two that hit the post. Hartford got their equalizer in the 52nd minute when Prince Saydee made a blistering run and found Antoine Hoppenot across the box for a tap in. New England delivered the dagger in the 76th minute with a goal from Dave Romney, and Hartford were unable to find a second goal.

ABOUT THE OPPONENT

Birmingham Legion FC hold a 4-0-2 record, coming off of a high intensity 2-1 victory against Orange County SC at Championship Soccer Stadium. Scoring opened up in the 30th minute when Orange County's Lasse Nielsen received a cross into the six yard box and fired a one time shot into the back of the net to lead 1-0. Just three minutes later in the 33rd minute, Birmingham's Juan Agudelo danced around two defenders in the box and responded with a goal to level the match at 1-1. The deciding goal was scored by Enzo Martinez in the 59th minute when he received a pass from the endline and was perfectly positioned to touch it past Orange County goalkeeper Cody Cropper. The remainder of the match was thrilling with Orange County producing multiple threatening chances, but Birmingham's goalkeeper Trevor Spangenburg kept Birmingham ahead with a crucial stoppage-time save. Hartford and Birmingham previously saw each other on the pitch this season at Trinity Health Stadium, where Hartford fell short with a score of 1-0. The possession on both sides for their match was almost even at 50/50, but after Birmingham scored a goal during the 23rd minute, Hartford was unable to successfully complete the comeback trail. The Legion have returned 13 players this season including star forward Juan Agudelo and last season's golden boot winner Neco Brett.

Check the Pulse

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Hartford Athletic, Andre Lewis, MF #77

Midfielder Andre Lewis is back training with Hartford after suffering a head injury during Hartford's week two match against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC. Lewis is an eight year USL Championship veteran with the 2023 season being his second consecutive for Hartford. The Jamaican midfielder proved to be a valuable acquisition for the club, making 33 appearances, 24 of them starts, during the 2022 campaign. He was a centerpiece to Hartford's attacking play, scoring six goals and tallying three assists, while creating the second most chances (40) on the team. Prior to his injury this season, Lewis played 179 minutes, tallied two starts, one assist, and one shot. The midfielder saw some action in this week's Open Cup game against the New England Revolution and is on track to make it back into the 18-man roster for USL Championship play.

Birmingham Legion, Juan Agudelo, FW #9

Juan Agudelo played the full 90 minutes of Birmingham's last match against Orange County SC, contributing a goal in their 2-1 win. In the 33rd minute, the former Major League Soccer standout received an aerial ball from defender Phanuel Kavita over the heads of Orange County's back line. Agudelo changed the tone of the game when he received the ball and went dancing in the box making moves to beat two defenders. He sent the ball far post past goalkeeper Cody Cropper to level the game at 1-1. Agudelo plays for Birmingham with a great amount of experience in both the MLS and the National Team level previously playing six seasons with the New England Revolution and earning 28 caps with the USMNT. Most recently, Agudelo received USL Championship Team of the Week Honors for week seven after finishing his last match with a goal, two shots on target, completing 32 of 37 passes, and swiping an interception.

Hartford Athletic

Out: Kembo Kibato (Foot), Elvis Amoh (Thigh)

Birmingham

Out: None

Check out the Hartford Athletic Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 29, 2023


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