
Two First Half Goals Power Athletic to Fifth Win of the Season
August 15, 2020 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Hartford Athletic News Release
A headbanded Sam Strong scored what turned out to be the winning goal in Hartford Athletic's 2-1 victory vs Red Bull ll at Dillon Stadium.
Hartford came out of the gates strong and looked like the side more likely to score in the opening minutes. Alex Dixon came close to scoring on two separate chances thanks to energetic plays down the left side from Tyreke Johnson and Gabriel Torres.
Dixon and Hartford finally got what they deserved in the 21st minute. Athletic all time assist leader Danny Barrera found an angle and dug out a precise out swinging cross. The ball found the head of Dixon who glanced in to put Athletic in front!
Later on in the half Hartford forced a corner kick, of course Barrera was there to take it for Hartford. The California native swung in a cross that found the hands of the goalkeeper. Red Bulls II's Debutant keeper spilled the ball and Sam Strong gratefully put the loose ball in and celebrated with his famous headband among the supporters!
In the second half Hartford spent the majority putting together passes and trying to find the speedy strikers Dixon and Jonhson. Red Bulls II didn't have many opportunities until they made some changes to personnel. They brought on the dangerous Sebastian Elney and it proved to be the right decision. Substitute Caden Clark and Elney combined on the right side and Clark's cross found Elney who finished passed a diving Mandanda.
Hartford saw the rest of the game out and defended hard and won multiple late headers. After five minutes added time and a Mandanda corner catch, the final whistle sounded and Hartford held on to beat Red Bull for the second time this season!
The Boys in Green have little time to rest as they head to Philadelphia for a matchup with Union II on Wednesday evening at 7:30 PM. They'll be back at home the following Sunday when Loudoun United FC visits Dillon for the third time this season.
FAST STATS:
Shots (On-Target): Hartford Athletic 16 (5) - 12 (2) New York
Corners: Hartford Athletic 5-0 New York
Fouls: Hartford Athletic 20-18 New York
Offsides: Hartford Athletic 2-0 New York
Possession: Hartford Athletic 48.7%-51.3% New York
Passing Accuracy: Hartford Athletic 64.7%-64.1% New York
Saves: Hartford Athletic 1-3 New York
SCORING SUMMARY:
21' - Alex Dixon (Danny Barrera) 1-0
40' - Sam Strong 2-0
74' - Sebastian Elney (Caden Clark) 2-1
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY:
28' - Matheus Silva (Yellow)
45+2' - Tyreke Johnson (Yellow)
59' - Jake LaCava (Yellow)
86' - Sam Strong (Yellow)
HARTFORD ATHLETIC STARTING LINEUP:
35 (GK) Parfait Mandanda; 24 (D) Sam Strong, 4 (D) Kevin Politz, 3 (D) Matheus Silva; 33 (MF) Harry Swartz, 6 (MF) Arthur Rogers (Nicky Downs 87'), 10 (MF) Danny Barrera, 8 (MF) Mads Jørgensen, 16 (MF) Gabriel Torres; 11 (F) Alex Dixon (Dre Deas 87'), 88 (F) Tyreke Johnson (Aiden Mesias 87')
NEW YORK RED BULLS II STARTING LINEUP:
60 (GK) Alex Bobocea; 47 (D) John Tolkin, 63 (D) Roy Boateng, 73 (D) Joe Fala, 83 (D) Bo Cummins; 76 (MF) Kenan Hot (Chris Lema 45'), 66 (MF) Barry Sharifi (Omar Sowe 81'), 88 (MF) Deri Corfe (Dantouma Toure 60'), 86 (MF) Tapiwa Shumba (Sebastian Elnet 45'); 64 (F) Jake LaCava, 70 (F) Cherif Dieye (Caden Clark 60')
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