USL Hartford Athletic

Preview: Athletic Head to Pittsburgh for Season Finale

October 29, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Hartford Athletic News Release


HARTFORD ATHLETIC (12-15-4) vs PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS (17-8-6)

Date: Saturday, October 30th

Time: 7:00 PM ET

Location: Highmark Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA

Local TV: WCTX MyTV9

Streaming: ESPN+ or hartfordathletic.com/watch

LAST TIME OUT:

On the back of a brace from Walmer Martinez, Hartford Athletic defeated Charleston Battery 2-0 on a cold and rainy Tuesday night in Hartford. Martinez scored once in each half, the second coming in the 70th minute on a beautiful through ball from Danny Barrera to seal the win in the final match at Dillon Stadium in 2021.

WONDERFUL WALMER:

What a journey it's been for Walmer Martinez in 2021. Walmer was invited to Hartford Athletic's invitational combine earned his first professional contract on April 12. Since then, he has made eighteen appearances for Hartford, and eight international appearances competing for El Salvador in Stages 2 and 3 of the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers and the Gold Cup. The Santa Cruz, CA native has scored two goals for club and two for country and will very likely compete with El Salvador again in the next round of World Cup Qualifying matches.

REGULAR SEASON FINALE:

Hartford Athletic is 2-0-0 all time in regular season finales. In 2019, Hartford Athletic scored a dramatic goal in the 94' to defeat Tampa Bay Rowdies 2-1. In 2020, Conor McGlynn hit an absolute screamer to secure a 2-0 win over New York Red Bulls II and the Group F title.

FROM THE GAFFER:

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Hartford Athletic, Nico Cardona, DF, #4

There will be one focus for the Hartford back line on Saturday night, stop Russell Cicerone and Alex Dixon. On the year, Hartford have allowed Pittsburgh to score seven goals in just three matches, so Cardona, who has played every minute of the last five matches, will be important in leading a tight and cohesive group - especially with fellow center back Tulu's health in question.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, Alex Dixon, FW #7

The former Hartford Athletic forward has had his old club's number in 2021. He scored twice in a comeback win in Pittsburgh in July and tied the match at 2 when the two clubs most recently met in August. Dixon has nine goals on the year, second on the team to Cicerone, and in a match that means so much to Pittsburgh's playoff chances, he'll be looking to bag another and lock up a home match in the first round of the playoffs.

INJURY REPORT:

Hartford Athletic:

Out: Nii Armah Ashitey (Leg), Carlos Merancio (Knee)

Questionable: Ash Apollon (Groin), Thomas Janjigian (Hamstring), Alex Lara (Quad), Richie Schlentz (Foot), Tulu (Hip)

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC:

Out: Josh Gatt (Knee)

Questionable: Albert Dikwa (Groin)

ABOUT THE OPPONENT:

Pittsburgh Riverhounds come into the match in third place in the Atlantic Division with 57 points and a chance to move up to second place which would secure a home game in the first round of the postseason. The Hounds come into the match with wins in their last three mathches and Forward Russell Cicerone, who has 16 goals on the season, has scored in two of those three wins. Hartford are 0-2-1 against Pittsburgh this season and 1-3-0 all-time in matches at Highmark Stadium.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION:

Follow along on twitter @hfdathletic and #PITvHFD

Check out the Hartford Athletic Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from October 29, 2021


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