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USL Hartford Athletic

Hartford Tie Toros 2-2 Behind Saydee's Brace

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


Hartford Athletic earned a point tonight against Rio Grande Valley FC Toros, thanks to a brace from Prince Saydee and a strong defensive performance in the second half.

Both teams found the back of the net twice in a back-and-forth first half of tonight's match, beginning with a goal from Prince Saydee in the fifth minute for Hartford. Kyle Edwards made a dazzling run up the left side and cut back to beat his defender into the RGV box, then found Prince Saydee at the doorstep for the tap-in goal.

Hartford's lead lasted just two minutes, as RGV responded with a fortuitous goal from Christiano François in the seventh minute. The speedy midfielder flew past the Hartford back line to chase down a lead ball from Jonathan Ricketts into the box, and fired a shot that was partially blocked by a sliding Conor McGlynn. Off the deflection, the ball spun high up into the air and into the goal, just over the outstretched Joe Rice. Before 10 minutes had passed, the match was tied 1-1.

The visitors kept their foot on the gas, taking the lead in the 25th minute. François was involved again, this time picking up the assist. He crossed a pass into the box for Christian Pinzón, and the striker struck his shot perfectly off the left post and in.

Down a goal, the Green and Blue didn't go into the half without a response of their own. Prince Saydee showed excellent skill on the ball in the 34th minute, dancing around defenders and drawing a penalty in RGV's box. Saydee would be the one to take the ensuing penalty kick, and buried it to the left corner to complete the brace and tie the game at 2-2. The goal was his team-leading ninth of the season. After ten more minutes of play, the teams took to the locker rooms knotted at two.

The game tightened up in the second half, as neither team recorded a shot until 15 minutes in. Conor McGlynn made an outstanding slide tackle in the 53rd minute, shutting down another threatening chance for François. Kyle Edwards had Hartford's first look on goal in the half, forcing a kick save from RGV's Tyler Deric after receiving a well-placed header from Danny Barrera into the box.

The two clubs traded scoring chances as the game entered the late stages, but neither could break the tie. Gabriel Benítez forced a save from Joe Rice at the near post in the 81st, and Alex Monis put a shot on target in stoppage time. Ash Apollon entered the game for Hartford in the 90th minute and made a strong run into RGV's third, bouncing a shot on target. Elvis Amoh also put a header just over the crossbar on Hartford's final opportunity of the game. The match ended 2-2.

Conor McGlynn had an active night defensively for Hartford, making six clearances and six tackles. Joe Rice made two saves, and Hartford created eight total chances on the night. The Green and Blue head to Louisville this Saturday, and come back home for the season finale against FC Tulsa next Friday, October, 13th. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM.

FAST STATS

Shots (On-Target): Hartford 5 RGV 4

Corners: Hartford 5 RGV 7

Fouls: Hartford 19 RGV 10

Offsides: Hartford 4 RGV 1

Possession: Hartford 58.1% RGV 41.9%

Passing Accuracy: Hartford 88.1% RGV 79.6%

Saves: Hartford 2 RGV 3

SCORING SUMMARY:

Hartford: 5'- Prince Saydee

RGV: 7'- Christiano Francois

RGV: 25'- Christian Pinzon

Hartford: 35'- Prince Saydee (Penalty)

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY:

21'- Benitez (Yellow)

HARTFORD ATHLETIC STARTING LINEUP

13 (GK) Joe Rice, 6 (MF) Beverly Makangila, 28 (MF) Conor McGlynn, 19 (DF) Luke Merrill, 21 (MF) Kembo Kibato, 77 (MF) Andre Lewis (Apollon, 90+4'), 8 (MF) Juan Pablo Torres (Lapert, 90+4'), 10 (MF) Danny Barrera, 17 (FW) Kyle Edwards (Hoppenot, 71'), 9 (FW) Elvis Amoh, 7 (FW) Prince Saydee (Dobruna, 84').

RIO GRANDE VALLEY STARTING LINEUP

1 (GK) Tyler Deric, 6 (DF) Gabriel Benítez (Ritondale, 84'), 15 (DF) Frank Nodarse, 5 (MF) Juan Cabezas, 2 (DF) Jonathan Ricketts, 14 (MF) Michael Knapp, 8 (DF) Taylor Davila, 17 (MF) Ian Cerro (Monis, 71'), 16 (DF) Robert Coronado (Ruiz, 71') , 23 (MF) Christiano François (Galindrez 71'), 10 (FW) Christian Pinzón.

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