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USL Hartford Athletic

Preview: Hartford Seeks a Bounce-Back Victory over Pittsburgh

July 27, 2019 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Hartford Athletic News Release


Hartford Athletic will look to get back to winning ways when it hosts Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on Saturday night. After playing three matches in eight days, the Boys in Green hope the full week of rest will improve their recent fortunes. Here's what you need to know:

HARTFORD ATHLETIC vs PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS SC

Date: Saturday, July 27

Time: 5:00 PM ET

Location: Dillon Stadium, Hartford, CT

TICKETS: Click here

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:

Despite leading 2-1 in the last 15 minutes, Hartford Athletic could not hold on to its advantage, suffering a gut-wrenching 3-2 defeat against Charleston Battery last Saturday. Although arguably second-best in the first half, the Battery struck first on the 40-minute mark, as Zeiko Lewis' curling free kick found the bottom left from 20 yards. Hartford would hit back forcefully after the restart, though; Wojciech Wojcik leveled the scoreline in the 57th minute, and Mads Jørgensen's 30-yard firecracker hit the top right corner in the 65th. The boys in green looked poised to start a Dillon Stadium win streak, but a nightmarish two-minute spell doomed them to their first Dillon Stadium defeat. After Ataulla Guerra equalized in the 79th, Dante Marini gave Charleston a lead it would not relinquish in the very next minute. The visitors countered quickly and Zeiko Lewis laid it off for Marini, whose knuckler from the left side of the penalty area curled around Frederik Due and into the right side-netting. Hartford threw men forward for the final ten minutes, but Charleston keeper Joe Kuzminsky passed every test Athletic threw at him, securing a victory for the "Holy City" side.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Hartford Athletic - Wojciech Wojcik, FW

Wojcik has been on fire since Hartford completed its move to Dillon Stadium, more than tripling his attacking output in his last two appearances. In starts against Indy Eleven and Charleston Battery, the 27-year old has grabbed a pair of goals (his first two of the season) and also dished out an assist, likely establishing himself as a regular in the starting XI. If the American forward can find pockets of space in Pittsburgh's penalty area, Hartford's attack will look far more threatening on Saturday night.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC - Kenardo Forbes, MF

Forbes is Pittsburgh's most prolific player going forward, stuffing the stat sheet for the Riverhounds this season. The 31-year old paces the squad with a whopping 39 chances created, while sharing the team-lead with 4 assists. He has also hit the back of the net twice this season, despite typically operating out of a center-midfield role. Hartford must try to force Forbes off the ball as quickly as possible if it hopes to minimize pressure on its back line this weekend.

ABOUT THE OPPONENET:

Pittsburgh has accrued 29 points in its first 18 matches and currently occupies 8thplace in the Eastern Conference Standings. The Riverhounds have won 5 of their last 7 games, but their attack has dried up since the calendar turned to July. After grabbing 12 goals in the previous three matches, the boys from the "Steel City" have only hit the back of the net three times in their last four, failing to record a single multi-goal game in this span. However, the Riverhounds did enjoy a productive night in attack the last time they faced Hartford (a 3-1 April victory at Highmark Stadium), meaning the boys in green must maintain their defensive focus this weekend.

FOLLOW ONLINE:

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

Check out the Hartford Athletic Statistics

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