USL Hartford Athletic

Preview: Hartford Host Rhode Island FC in First Ever Matchup

Published on May 31, 2024 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Hartford Athletic News Release


Coming off an uplifting home victory last Friday to snap a five-match losing streak, Hartford Athletic carry some momentum into their highly-anticipated first ever matchup with Rhode Island FC.

LAST TIME OUT

Hartford Athletic are coming off a 2-1 victory at home over Monterey Bay FC on Friday, May, 24th. Despite falling behind early to a goal in the 17th minute from Adrian Rebollar, two responding goals from the Green and Blue propelled Hartford to a comeback triumph against their Western Conference opponent. Hartford's first goal came in the 33rd minute from Michee Ngalina when the winger drove a shot that deflected off of Monterey Bay's Kai Greene and past Antony Siaha. Hartford struck again with a goal from Deshane Beckford in the 50th minute, who found space in the box and buried a shot in the back of the net. Both of Hartford's goals were set up by Thomas Vancaeyezeele, who's standout performance earned him a spot on the USL Championship Team of the Week for week 12. Hartford outshot Monterey Bay 14 to nine, commanding themselves in the attacking third. Although the visitors controlled possession in the second half, they couldn't equalize.

THE BIRTH OF A RIVALRY

Rhode Island FC and Hartford Athletic bring a new rivalry to the USL Championship, standing in closer proximity to each other than any other teams in the league. These New England neighbors are separated by just over 80 miles, making travel times under an hour and a half from stadium to stadium. As the only two USL Championship clubs in New England, tomorrow's match kicks off a battle for regional supremacy.

FAMILIAR FACES

Former Hartford Athletic players Conor McGlynn and Prince Saydee return to Trinity Health Stadium for the first time this Saturday. Two of the most prominent players in the history of the club, their move to Rhode Island FC this offseason was an early storyline in the young rivalry's history. McGlynn was a beloved midfielder in Hartford, logging over 4,000 minutes played after making the team via open tryouts in 2020. His four seasons spent in Green and Blue are the second most of any player in club history, behind only Danny Barrera. Saydee joined Athletic in 2022, and turned in the two best seasons of his career in Hartford. He scored 14 goals and dished out 11 assists, putting his speed and powerful left foot on full display over 64 appearances and 55 starts. Both McGlynn and Saydee have moments that live in Hartford Athletic's all-time highlight reel, including McGlynn's goal from his own half in 2021 as part of a 7-0 route of Red Bulls II, and Saydee's magnificent bending strike and backflip celebration en route to a 3-2 victory over FC Tulsa in 2022. Both efforts were voted the Fan's Choice Goal of the Year in those seasons.

VERSATILE VAN

Thomas Vancaeyezeele was excellent for Hartford last Friday, stepping up for his team while playing in a new position. Normally a center back, Vancaeyezeele played in the middle of Hartford's 4-2-3-1 formation. The 29-year-old Frenchman was extremely effective from the middle, dishing out two assists, creating two chances, and adding two interceptions and two tackles won to his defensive effort.

BETWEEN THE POSTS

In his six starts for Rhode Island, Jackson Lee has been a critical component to his team's defensive success. Lee was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week back-to-back (Weeks five and six) after recording his two-straight clean sheets. The Australian keeper shares the net with Koko Vegas, who was recently named to the Team of the Week for week 12, following his second clean sheet for the club this season. The 28-year-old achieved the club's fourth shutout and recorded three saves in their recent draw against Louisville City FC.

Hartford's matchup against Rhode Island marks Renan Ribeiro's fifth consecutive game back in net. Ribeiro has faced 24 shots in the past four games, boasting a 67% save success rate. In Saturday's match against Monterey Bay, Ribeiro loomed large for Hartford, stopping all but one of the nine shots Monterey Bay sent his way. He made an outstanding save in the 88th minute of the match after he blocked a top corner shot sent from outside the box. Ribeiro is six-for-six in defensive duels and a three-for-three in aerial duels won this season as well.

HODGE HITS THE CENTURY MARK

Hartford Athletic outside back Triston Hodge will make his 100th USL Championship appearance if he features in Saturday's match. The 29 year old Trinidadian defender reaches the milestone in his seventh season in the Championship, beginning his career with Toronto FC II in 2016.

Check out the Hartford Athletic Statistics

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 31, 2024


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