USL Hartford Athletic

Shorthanded Hartford Battle with Tampa Bay, Fall 2-1

Published on September 2, 2023 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Hartford Athletic News Release


Tampa Bay goals scored in stoppage time of each half beat Hartford tonight. It was an impressive showing from the Green and Blue that came up just short, as they entered the match missing 12 players due to positive COVID-19 tests.

Hartford Athletic got out to a dream start tonight, as Elvis Amoh gave them the lead with an excellent goal in the 13th minute. He received a pass from Andre Lewis in the attacking third, made a quick turn to lose his defender, and charged toward goal. From the top of the box, he blasted his shot into the top left corner of the net, giving goalkeeper Connor Sparrow no chance to make the save. The highlight-reel goal was Amoh's fifth of the season.

Hartford were steady defensively after scoring, holding Tampa Bay to just one shot on target until stoppage time. Marvyn Dorchin made his first save for the Green and Blue in the 22nd minute, calmly collecting a header from inside the box. After a positive 45 minutes of play from Hartford, the Rowdies erased their 1-0 lead in first half stoppage time with a counter-attacking goal. The home side successfully cleared a Hartford corner kick away, and Charlie Dennis lofted a quality ball to Cal Jennings on the other half of the field. Jennings was challenged by Luke Merrill, but created space to his left and powered his shot to the top left corner of the net. 1-1 was the score going into half time.

Hartford began the second half defending a determined Tampa Bay attack, and Marvyn Dorchin came up with a sprawling tackle to deny Cal Jennings and keep his team level in the 57th minute. Six minutes later, Hartford responded with a scoring chance of their own. Andre Lewis led a ball into the box for Antoine Hoppenot, but Hoppenot's shot missed the net on the near side.

Possession was heavily in Tampa Bay's favor through the first 30 minutes of the second half (65.3% to 34.7%), but Hartford remained strong in their end and allowed no shots on target in that time.

The Rowdies continued to apply pressure to Hartford and broke the tie in the 90th minute. Jordan Doherty made a run up the right side and fired a cross into the box. The ball fell to Ariel Martínez at the doorstep, and the former Hartford Athletic striker buried his shot past the diving Dorchin. After six minutes of stoppage time, the final whistle blew and Hartford fell 2-1.

Marvyn Dorchin had an active night in his USL Championship debut. He made just one save, but had two clearances, won a tackle, and was aggressive off his line to punch several crosses out of the air. The French keeper is on a 25-day contract with the club that started today. Niall Logue had an active night on the back line for Hartford as well, making eight clearances.

Hartford Athletic return home to face Rio Grande Valley FC Toros next Saturday, September 9th at 7:00 PM.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 2, 2023


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