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USL Hartford Athletic

Preview: Athletic Host RBII for First Match in 13 Days

August 14, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Hartford Athletic News Release


Come kickoff at 7 PM on Saturday night, it will mark almost two full weeks since the Boys in Green have taken the pitch. This time up, is New York Red Bulls II, a notoriously tough squad who enter the match on a three-match losing streak needing to turn things around. The last time these teams met, Hartford emerged with a 1-0 victory with a shot from RBII in stoppage time clanging off the post merely seconds before the final whistle sounded. Don't let the records fool you, when RBII is on the other end of the pitch, it's always a tough contest.

HARTFORD ATHLETIC (4-1-0) vs NEW YORK RED BULLS II (2-5-0)

Date: Saturday, August 15th

Time: 7:00 PM ET

Location: Dillon Stadium, Hartford, CT

Local TV: WCTX MyTV9

Streaming: hartfordathletic.com/watch or ESPN+

International Viewers: YouTube

Program: hartfordathletic.com/program

LAST TIME OUT:

Hartford Athletic took down Loudoun United FC 4-1. Ever Guzmán and Danny Barrera got the scoring started, combining for 2 goals and assists respectively in the first 20 minutes of the match. Barrera scored a goal of his own in the second half. It's the second time in as many matches this season that Hartford has defeated Loudoun and owns a perfect 4-0-0 record all-time against the club.

RESPECT YOUR ELDERS:

While this Hartford Athletic roster is very young, it's the elder statesmen who are leading the way offensively. 32-year-old Ever Guzmán leads the team with 4 goals and 30-year-old Danny Barrera leads the team with 5 assists. Barrera is tied for second in the USL Championship in assists and Guzmán is tied for 4th in goals. Even more notable, none of the 8 other players on the Hartford Athletic roster to record a goal or assist this season have more than 1 in either category.

FULL 90:

Starting the season with 5 matches in 17 days is a tough task and the coaching staff has responded by managing the players minutes. Defender Matheus Silva is the only outfield player on the roster who has played every minute for the club. Rookie Conor McGlynn was on pace to be part of this group as well but left the last match in the 66th minute with a knee injury. His knee is still being evaluated and he will be unavailable for this weekend's match.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Hartford Athletic, Tyreke Johnson, MF #88:

The hype around the young Southampton product was high coming into the season and soared to even more impossible heights after his stunning goal against Loudoun United in the home opening match. He'll be needed to generate some opportunities on the outside, and may potentially move up top if Head Coach Radhi Jaïdi sees a matchup he thinks he can take advantage of.

New York Red Bulls II, Preston Kilwein, D #55:

It's the defense that has let down RBII in their most recent losses (although playing with 10 men for 75 minutes like they did against Loudoun United on Wednesday certainly doesn't help). Kilwein leads the back line in minutes played and just recorded his first professional goal on Wednesday night. Kilwein will need to sharpen up his defense, while also adding some offensive punch to get New York headed in the right direction.

ABOUT THE OPPONENT:

Red Bulls II come into this match on a bit of a rough stretch, losing three in a row, two of which came against winless Philadelphia Union II and Loudoun United FC on Wednesday. RBII will be shorthanded as keeper Wallis Lapsley will be forced to miss the match after a Red Card earned for a handball out of the box. Backup goalkeeper Alex Bobocea is expected to be in goal after making his professional debut as a substitute Wednesday night.

FOLLOW ONLINE:

Can't watch? Stay in touch with our live commentary @hfdathletic or by following #HFDvNY

Check out the Hartford Athletic Statistics



United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 14, 2020


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