USL Hartford Athletic

Preview: Hartford Looks to Start Dillon Stadium Win Streak

Published on July 20, 2019 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Hartford Athletic News Release


After a midweek road match at Swope Park Rangers, Hartford Athletic will return home to Dillon Stadium for a Saturday night clash with Charleston Battery. Athletic will attempt to rejuvenate its playoff hopes and grab its second win in as many matches at its new stadium. Here's what you need to know:

HARTFORD ATHLETIC vs CHARLESTON BATTERY

Date: Saturday, July 20

Time: 5:00 PM ET

Location: Dillon Stadium, Hartford, CT 06106

Streaming: ESPN+

Local TV: WCTX MyTV9

WHERE TO WATCH:

Thomas Hooker Brewery at Colt, 140 Huyshope Ave., Hartford, CT

City Steam Brewery and Cafe, 942 Main St., Hartford

TK's American Cafe, 255 White St., Danbury

2nd Bridge Brewing Co., 642 Hilliard St., Manchester

Lakeview Restaurant & Bar, 50 Lake St., Coventry

V's Trattoria, 280 Trumbull St., Hartford, CT 06103

LAST TIME OUT:

Hartford Athletic dropped a road match at Swope Park Rangers Wednesday night, falling 4-3 in Kansas City. The boys in green fell behind 3-0 after 30 minutes of play; Felipe Hernandez broke the deadlock in the 7th minute after snatching the ball off Raymond Lee, and Kelyn Rowe made his presence known, bagging two goals in a three-minute span (including a 30-yard screamer that hit the top left corner). Hartford then took control after the restart, as Alex Dixon forced a Camden Riley own goal just 22 seconds into the second half. Midfielder Tyler Freeman did manage to restore SPR's three-goal advantage after weaving through multiple Hartford defenders in the 50th, but Dixon responded with a spectacular, half-volley, bar-down finish just 7 minutes later. Striker Mac Steeves then pulled Athletic within one goal in the 74th after intercepting goalkeeper Brooks Thompson's errant short ball and placing it into the back of the net. However, despite chasing the match aggressively, Jimmy Nielsen's side could not put enough pressure on the Swope Park back line, and the home side held after a very chaotic 90 minutes.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Hartford Athletic - Alex Dixon, MF

Alex Dixon is one of Hartford's more creative players, often wreaking havoc on the left flank. The 29-year old is a clinical finisher and an effective distributor; he's hit the back of the net twice while also dishing out 2 assists in the 2019 campaign. Dixon was Hartford's most dangerous threat going forward on Wednesday night, and he earned Cigna Man of the Match honors for his efforts. The American winger took the shot that led to Hartford's opening goal (the Camden Riley own goal) and also grabbed one of his own, fielding Barrera's brilliant long ball and going bar-down on the half-volley. Dixon must put pressure on Charleston's fullbacks if Hartford hopes to stretch the Battery defense and create enough glaring opportunities on Saturday night.

Charleston Battery - Zeiko Lewis, FW

Zeiko Lewis is Charleston's most versatile and dangerous player, making incisive runs and linking up well with his teammates. The 25-year old can play all over the pitch, logging appearances on the wing, in a number 10 role, and even in the heart of midfield. Lewis leads the Battery in goals (5) and chances created (22), and he has also logged 2 assists in just 13 appearances this season. He grabbed the opener against Hartford when the two sides met back in March, weaving through defenders, playing a brilliant give-and-go with Romario Piggott, and driving his low volley into the bottom left corner. Athletic must keep Lewis confined to the wing as much as possible and cut off dangerous running channels for him off-ball if it hopes to grab another win at Dillon Stadium this weekend.

ABOUT THE OPPONENT:

Charleston Battery is in the center of the Eastern Conference playoff race, sitting in 9thwith 23 points after 17 matches. Coach Mike Anhaeuser's side will also enter this one well-rested, having not completed a match since June 29 (their match against Memphis 901 FC was postponed last weekend). However, the Battery have been struggling of late, entering this weekend on a five-match winless run (with its last win in all competitions coming on June 8). The boys from the "Holy City" will look to right the ship against a Hartford side they defeated 2-1 on March 16, when they snagged the opening two goals before conceding a consolation penalty in the 83rdminute.

FOLLOW ONLINE:

Updates on the match will be provided via Twitter at @hfdathletic or by following #HFDvCHS.

Check out the Hartford Athletic Statistics

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 20, 2019


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