USL Hartford Athletic

Obregón and Cardona Seal Three Points in Thrilling Fashion

Published on June 19, 2021 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Hartford Athletic News Release


A lightning delay in the 88th minute was no obstacle for Harry Watling's side, who beat Loudoun United 2-1 at the very death to seal three points and move back to 3rd in the Eastern Atlantic Division.

It was a lightning-fast start for Hartford, when a long clearance from Preston Tabort Etaka was not dealt with properly by the last defenders for Loudoun. The mix-up allowed Juan Obregon to run clear through on goal. While he still had a lot to do, he made no mistake, sending a deflected, left-footed effort over the onrushing Jermaine Fordah and into the back of the net.

The match soon turned into a cagey affair, and Hartford found themselves on the back foot. With fouls being called all over the pitch for both sides, Athletic found it difficult to get a rhythm in possession, relying on some top-class defending from Tulu to keep Athletic in the lead.

Eventually, Loudoun got their reward for incessant pressure on the Athletic goal, when they were awarded a penalty for a handball on Tulu in the 78th minute. Jovanny Bolivar converted the penalty low to Caldwell's left, before the match was delayed for severe thunderstorms in the 88th minute.

Following the delay, Hartford threw everything at the Loudoun goal, with Danny Barrera striking the crossbar from a free kick. It looked as though the sides would be sharing the points. Thankfully, Nico Cardona had other ideas; a low cross from Younes Boudadi was spilled by Fordah to the middle of the area, where Nico was on hand to sweep home to seal a dramatic three points.

Athletic return to action on June 26thth, as they welcome top-of-the-table Tampa Bay Rowdies to Dillon Stadium for a blockbuster clash. You can catch the match on WCTX MyTV9 or stream at hartfordathletic.com/watch.

FAST STATS:

Shots (On-Target): Hartford Athletic 13 (7) - 16 (2) Loudoun

Corners: Hartford Athletic 7-6 Loudoun

Fouls: Hartford Athletic 16-10 Loudoun

Offsides: Hartford Athletic 2-1 Loudoun

Possession: Hartford Athletic 57.5%-42.5% Loudoun

Passing Accuracy: Hartford Athletic 75.2%-80.2% Loudoun

Saves: Hartford Athletic 1-6 Loudoun

SCORING SUMMARY:

6' - Juan Carlos Obregón Jr. 1-0

78' - Jovanny Bolívar 1-1

90+5' - Nicolás Cardona (Younes Boudadi) 2-1

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY:

24' - Timmy Mehl (Yellow)

78' - Tulu (Yellow)

86' - Houssou Landru (Yellow)

HARTFORD ATHLETIC STARTING LINEUP:

13 (GK) Jeff Caldwell; 3 (DF) Younes Boudadi, 15 (DF) Tulu, 20 (DF) Thomas Janjigian, 16 (DF) Gabriel Torres; 10 (MF) Danny Barrera, 6 (MF) Arthur Rogers (Nicolás Cardona, 79'), 28 (MF) Conor McGlynn (Christian Gómez, 62'); 23 (FW) Preston Tabort Etaka (Alex Lara, 62'), 29 (FW) Juan Carlos Obregón Jr. (Alfonso Vazquez, 90+5'), 18 (FW) Walmer Martinez (Jeciel Cedeño, 79')

LOUDOUN UNITED FC STARTING LINEUP:

0 (GK) Jeromine Forduh; 29 (DF) Timmy Mehl, 22 (DF) Robby Dambrot, 55 (DF) Michael DeShields (Owen Walz, 45'), 33 (DF) Jacob Greene; 6 (MF) Masimo Ferrin (Samson Sergi, 54'), 4 (MF) Jeremy Garay, 21 (MF) Ted Ku-DiPietro (Hossou Landru, 66'), 15 (MF) Nicky Downs (Kairou Amoustapha, 45'), 7 (MF) Darluis Paz (Tyler Gabarra, 85'); 9 (F) Jovanny Bolivar

Check out the Hartford Athletic Statistics

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 19, 2021


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