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USL Hartford Athletic

Hartford Return Home After a Month on the Road, Kickoff at 7:00 PM Saturday

May 5, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Hartford Athletic News Release


Date: Saturday, May 6th, 2023

Time: 7:00 PM ET

Location: Trinity Health Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut

Pregame Event: Athletic-Con from 4:00-6:00 PM

Streaming: ESPN Plus or WTNH.com

HARTFORD ATHLETIC (1-4-2) vs. MEMPHIS 901 FC (1-2-3)

Hartford Athletic return home for three games at Trinity Health Stadium in the month of May, beginning with a matchup against Memphis 901 FC tomorrow night at 7:00 PM.

LAST TIME OUT

Hartford Athletic are coming off a 3-2 loss to Birmingham Legion FC on the road this past Sunday. Hartford played a quality first half, going up 1-0 in the 38th minute on Jeciel Cedeño's second goal of the season. They were caught on their heels to start the second half, allowing Birmingham to dictate the pace of the game and conceding an equalizer in the 65th minute from Enzo Martinez. The visitors responded well, however, as Kyle Edwards got in behind the Legion's back line and regained the lead for Hartford just two minutes after they lost it. Birmingham tied the game for a second time in the 76th minute, getting another goal from Enzo Martinez. With the match tied in stoppage time, it was Martinez who delivered the corner kick that found Alex Crognale, who finished on the open net after Richard Sanchez fell while charging off his line.

HOME, SWEET HOME

After a hiatus away from home for the month of April, Hartford will play three of their four games in May at Trinity Health Stadium. Five of the club's seven games so far have been on the road, including three trips to the west coast.

THE PRINCE ON HIS THRONE

Prince Saydee continues to be Hartford's most impactful player, recording two assists in this past Sunday's match. He earned USL Championship Team of the Week for the third time this season, and has scored or assisted on at least one goal in five of Hartford's seven league games so far (four goals, three assists). He also had an excellent showing in the Open Cup last Tuesday, recording another assist.

A LONG WAY TO GO

Despite a frustrating start with some crushing losses, Hartford Athletic find themselves just two points behind the last seed on the top side of the table (Tulsa, seven points). With 27 games left to play and 81 points left to play for, this stretch of three home games in May is crucial for Hartford to gain some points back and climb the table. They'll go to Phoenix next week, but come back home for matches against Loudoun and Sacramento on the 20th and 26th.

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ABOUT THE OPPONENT

Memphis 901 FC hold a 1-3-2 record, coming off of a 1-1 draw against Louisville City FC at home. They conceded a goal early in the game in the ninth minute when Louisville City's Ray Serrano set up a corner kick and sent an aerial ball to the top of the six yard box. Sean Totsch was able to beat a defender near post with a header sent straight into the back of the net to give them an early lead. Memphis began the comeback trail and took control of the game, resulting in an equalizing goal in the 52nd minute. Memphis tested Louisville City's back line with combination play and as a result of a defensive error, Luiz Fernando volleyed the ball past goalkeeper Oliver Semmle. The score remained 1-1 for the rest of the match. Memphis 901 FC has introduced some new members of the squad this season including former USMNT goalkeeper Bill Hamid and veteran USL attacker Bruno Lapa.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Hartford Athletic, Juan Pablo Torres, MF #8

Juan Pablo Torres is Hartford's newest signee coming in during Week 8 of USL Championship play for the remainder of the 2023 season. In only a week of training with the team, Torres earned a spot in the starting line up in their match against Birmingham Legion FC where he played a full 90 minutes. Torres began his professional career with Belgian club KSC Lokeren before signing with MLS side NYCFC in January of 2019, where he spent two full seasons. The 23 year filled in nicely in is first league match with Hartford last week, winning eight possessions, contributing a clearance, and making seven final third entries. Torres was also involved in Hartford's first goal of the match. He began build up play by sending a forward pass to Matt Sheldon who drove forward and found Prince Saydee in the box. He tapped the ball to Cedeño who shot the ball into the back of the net to lead in the 38th minute.

Memphis 901 FC, Luiz Fernando, MF #9

Luiz Fernando played the full 90 minutes of Memphis 901 FC's previous match against Louisville City FC, contributing the team's only goal in the match. In the 52nd minute, Memphis' attacking efforts had Louisville backpedaling in the 18 yard box to try to win a clearance. Midfielder Laurent Kissiedou made a cross to the middle of the box, pulling goalkeeper Oliver Semmle out of position. The ball then deflected off the knee of a Louisville City defender in the direct path of Fernando, who easily was able to volley the ball into the net to level the game at 1-1. Fernando plays for Memphis with both MLS and USL Championship experience and began his professional career with the Richmond Kickers after signing with the club in 2016. Over three seasons in Richmond he scored six goals and recorded six assists in 78 games played. The São Paulo, Brazil native has MLS experience playing for Atlanta United and has also competed for the club's USL Championship team, Atlanta United 2. Fernando made his Atlanta United debut in a CONCACAF Champions League match against Motagua in 2020.

INJURY REPORT

Hartford Athletic

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

Memphis

Out: Leston Paul (Groin) Sebastian Velasquez (Hamstring)

Check out the Hartford Athletic Statistics



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