2020 Hartford Athletic season

The 2020 Hartford Athletic season was the club's second season of existence and their second in the USL Championship, the second tier of American soccer.[1] This article covers the period from October 20, 2019, the day after Hartford's final match of the 2019 regular season, to the conclusion of the 2020 USLC Playoff Final, scheduled for November 12–16, 2020.[2]

Hartford Athletic
2020 season
OwnerHartford Sports Group
Head coachRadhi Jaïdi
StadiumDillon Stadium
USL ChampionshipGroup F: 1st
Eastern Conf.: 2nd
USLC PlayoffsConf. Quarterfinals
U.S. Open CupCancelled
Highest home attendance1,375 (6 times)
Lowest home attendance1,207
(July 20 vs. Loudoun)
Average home league attendance1,351
Biggest winHFD 4–1 LDN (Aug. 2)
PHI 0–3 HFD (Sept. 20)
Biggest defeatPIT 5–0 HFD (Sept. 12)
← 2019
2021 →

Season in review

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Background, off-season and pre-season

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Hartford finished its inaugural season in next to last place in the Eastern Conference, seven table positions and fourteen points out of the playoff spots. The club parted ways with head coach Jimmy Nielsen[3] just seven days after the 2019 season's end and signed former Southampton U-23 coach Radhi Jaïdi to fill the vacancy on November 8.[4] The club also parted ways with COO Donovan Powell five days later.[5]

The club began announcing roster moves in October, also, quickly announcing the return of four players from the 2019 roster (Harry Swartz, Alex Dixon, Alex Davey, and Nicky Downs),[6] with the return of Danny Barrera[7] and Mads Jørgensen[8] being announced in early November, and the return of Mike Novotny[9] being announced in early December. New signings began in earnest in late November with the addition of Aiden Mesias,[10] former Fresno FC defender Sam Strong,[11] Brazilian defender Gabriel Torres,[12] 2019 Greenville Triumph center back Kevin Politz,[13] Cal State Northridge products Dre Deas[14] and Alex Lara,[15] Dartmouth midfielder Noah Paravicini,[16] and UT-Rio Grande Valley midfielder Arthur Rogers.[17] In January, the club signed San Antonio FC's all-time leading scorer Éver Guzmán,[18] Brazilian defender Matheus Silva,[19] and announced the return of forward Mac Steeves.[20] In February, the club announced loan deals for goalkeeper Parfait Mandanda[21] and Southampton U-23 midfielder Tyreke Johnson.[22]

Roster

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As of 4 September 2020[23]
No. Position Player Nation
2 DF Alex Lara   United States
3 DF Matheus Silva   Brazil
4 DF Kevin Politz   United States
5 DF Alex Davey   Scotland
6 MF Arthur Rogers   England
7 MF Noah Paravicini   United States
8 MF Mads Jørgensen   Denmark
9 FW Mac Steeves   United States
10 MF Danny Barrera   United States
11 FW Alex Dixon   United States
16 MF Gabriel Torres   Brazil
17 FW Alfonso Vazquez   United States
18 GK Mike Novotny   United States
25 DF Idan Cohen   Israel
20 FW Markus Naglestad   Norway
21 MF Nicky Downs   United States
23 MF Aiden Mesias   England
24 DF Sam Strong   United States
28 MF Conor McGlynn   United States
33 MF Harry Swartz   United States
35 GK Parfait Mandanda (on loan from Charleroi)   DR Congo
42 FW Dre Deas   United States
80 MF Justin Haak (on loan from New York City FC)   United States
88 MF Tyreke Johnson (on loan from Southampton)   England
99 FW Éver Guzmán   Mexico

Competitions

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Exhibitions

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Match results

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February 12, 2020 (2020-02-12) Preseason 1 Hartford Athletic 3–0 Newtown Pride FC Farmington, Connecticut
Report Stadium: Farmington Sports Arena
February 19, 2020 (2020-02-19) Preseason 3 Hartford Athletic 5–1 New England Revolution II Farmington, Connecticut
1:00 PM EST
  • Guzmán   12', 15', 38', 45+1'
  • Vasquez   76'
Report
  • Trialist   66'
Stadium: Farmington Sports Arena
February 22, 2020 (2020-02-22) Preseason 4 New England Revolution II 1–0 Hartford Athletic Foxborough, Massachusetts
1:00 PM EST
Report
Stadium: Gillette Stadium
Attendance: 0
Note: Closed door scrimmage
March 3, 2020 (2020-03-03) Preseason 5 Hartford Athletic 2–2 Hartford Hawks Farmington, Connecticut
1:30 PM EST Report Stadium: Farmington Sports Arena

USL Championship

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Standings — Group F

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Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts PPG Qualification
1 Hartford Athletic 16 11 2 3 31 24 +7 35 2.19 Advance to USL Championship Playoffs
2 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 16 11 1 4 39 10 +29 34 2.13
3 New York Red Bulls II 16 5 0 11 30 37 −7 15 0.94
4 Philadelphia Union II 16 2 3 11 20 45 −25 9 0.56
5 Loudoun United FC 13 1 3 9 10 28 −18 6 0.46
Source: USL

Match results

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In the preparations for the resumption of league play following the shutdown prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Hartford's schedule was announced on July 2.[24]

July 17 1 New York Red Bulls II 0–1 Hartford Athletic Montclair, NJ
7:00 PM EDT Corfe   78'
Elney   90+4'
Report Guzmán   12'
Silva   53'
Barrera   62'
Downs   89'
Deas   90+3'
Stadium: MSU Soccer Park at Pittser Field
Referee: Joshua Encarnación
July 20 2 Hartford Athletic 3–1 Loudoun United Hartford, CT
7:00 PM EDT Politz   3'
Swartz   45'
Johnson   55'
Dixon   65'
Report Amoh   43',   58' (pen.)
Doue   90'
Stadium: Dillon Stadium
Attendance: 1,207
Referee: Adam Kilpatrick
July 25 3 Hartford Athletic 3–2 Philadelphia Union II Hartford, CT
7:00 PM EDT Silva   29'
Torres   39'
Jørgensen   43'
Guzmán   53'
McGlynn   66'
Report Scintu   4'
Picazo   16'
Kingue   90+7'
Stadium: Dillon Stadium
Attendance: 1,375
Referee: Thomas Snyder
July 29 4 Indy Eleven 4–1 Hartford Athletic Indianapolis, IN
7:00 PM EDT Moon   4'
Pasher   51'
Conner   81'
Watson   87'
Report Swartz   33'
Davey   45+5'
Dixon   46'
Silva   90+3'
Stadium: Lucas Oil Stadium
Attendance: 4,775
Referee: Lukasz Szpala
August 2 5 Hartford Athletic 4–1 Loudoun United Hartford, CT
7:00 PM EDT Guzmán   7',   18'
Lara   45'
Barrera   66'
Dixon   84'
Torres   90+3'
Vazquez Villar   90+8'
Report Amoh   21' (pen.),   56' Stadium: Dillon Stadium
Attendance: 1,375
Referee: Jeremy Scheer
August 9 6 Philadelphia Union II P–P Hartford Athletic Chester, PA
TBA PM EDT Stadium: Talen Energy Stadium
Note: Match postponed due to positive covid-19 test in the Union II organization.[25]
August 15 7 Hartford Athletic 2–1 New York Red Bulls II Hartford, CT
7:00 PM EDT Dixon   21'
Silva   27'
Strong   40',   86'
Johnson   45+3'
Report LaCava   59'
Elney   74'
Stadium: Dillon Stadium
Attendance: 1,375
Referee: Ernie Constantine
August 19 8 Philadelphia Union II P–P Hartford Athletic Chester, PA
7:00 PM EDT Stadium: Talen Energy Stadium
Note: Match postponed due to positive covid-19 test in the Union II organization.[26]
August 23 9 Hartford Athletic 2–2 Loudoun United Hartford, CT
7:00 PM EDT Swartz   28'
Barrera   67'
Silva   69'
Naglestad   85'
Dixon   89'
Report Wiedt   22'
Ndour   23'
Amoustapha   44'
Amoh   73',   84'
Greene   88'
Stadium: Dillon Stadium
Attendance: 1,375
Referee: Thomas Snyder
August 28 10 Hartford Athletic 0–3 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC Hartford, CT
7:00 PM EDT Lara   83' Report Gómez   7'
James   11',   50'
Griffin   22'
Stadium: Dillon Stadium
Attendance: 1,375
Referee: Jeremy Scheer
September 5 11 Hartford Athletic 2–1 Loudoun United Hartford, CT
7:00 PM EDT Silva   6'
Rogers   17',   56'
Strong   43'
Guzmán   70'
Torres   76'
Report Fawole   4'
Ndour   30'
Mehl   77'   87'
Stadium: Dillon Stadium
Attendance: 1,375
Referee: Christian Centeno
September 12 12 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 5–0 Hartford Athletic Pittsburgh, PA
7:00 PM EDT James   13',   47'
Mensah   27',   61'
Velarde   42' (pen.)
Report Strong   39'
Torres   81'
Naglestad   82'
Haak   83'
Stadium: Highmark Stadium
Referee: Eric Tattersall
September 16 13 Hartford Athletic 3–1 New York Red Bulls II Hartford, CT
7:00 PM EDT Silva   11'
Haak   43',   75'
Dixon   45+1'
Torres   54'
Barrera   68'
Report Rito   40'
LaCava   64'
Clark   69'
Stadium: Dillon Stadium
Referee: Thomas Snyder
September 20 14 Philadelphia Union II 0–3 Hartford Athletic Chester, PA
5:00 PM EDT Huckaby   34' Report Dixon   8',   58'
Topey   13' (o.g.)
Strong   44'
Johnson   90'
Stadium: Subaru Park
Referee: Luis Arroyo
September 23 15 Hartford Athletic 1–1 Philadelphia Union II Hartford, CT
7:00 PM EDT Strong   45+2',   88'
Cohen   56'
Jørgensen   68'
Report McGlynn   76'
Aaronson   90'
Stadium: Dillon Stadium
Attendance: 1,375
Referee: Jeremy Scheer
September 26 16 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 0–1 Hartford Athletic Pittsburgh, PA
7:00 PM EDT Dos Santos   72' Report Guzmán   30',   36'
Silva   47'
Politz   50'
Barrera   64'
Mandanda   71'
Novotny   89'
Haak   90+5'
Stadium: Highmark Stadium
Referee: Joshua Encarnación
September 30 17 Philadelphia Union II 2–3 Hartford Athletic Chester, PA
7:30 PM EDT Budler   7'
Cohen   22' (o.g.)
Sorenson   42'
Stafford   60'
Report Jørgensen   8' (pen.)
Lara   15'
Dixon   25'
Strong   55'
Barrera   90'
Stadium: Subaru Park
Referee: Christian Centeno
October 4 18 New York Red Bulls II 0–2 Hartford Athletic Montclair, NJ
7:00 PM EDT Bounthong   48'
Sowe   55'
Dieye   83'
Report Lara   39'
Johnson   65'
McGlynn   75'
Strong   90+1'
Stadium: MSU Soccer Park at Pittser Field
Referee: Sean Lyons

USL Cup Playoffs

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October 10 First round Hartford Athletic 0–1 Saint Louis FC Hartford, CT
7:00 PM EDT Silva   16'
Strong   45+1'
Barrera   61'
Politz   90+3'
Report Greig   73'
Fall   89'
Rivas   90+3'
Stadium: Dillon Stadium
Attendance: 2,194
Referee: Kevin Broadley

U.S. Open Cup

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As a USL Championship club, Hartford as enter the competition in the second round, to be played April 7–9.[27] The 2020 U.S. Open Cup was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[28]

Statistics

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Appearances and goals

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No. Pos Nat Player Total USLC
Apps Goals Apps Goals
11 FW   USA Alex Dixon 16 6 15 6
99 FW   MEX Éver Guzmán 13 5 12 5
4 DF   USA Kevin Politz 15 1 14 1
33 MF   USA Harry Swartz 7 1 7 1
23 MF   ENG Aiden Mesias 14 0 13 0
42 FW   USA Dre Deas 7 0 7 0
28 MF   USA Conor McGlynn 10 1 9 1
25 DF   ISR Idan Cohen 8 0 7 0
24 DF   USA Sam Strong 14 2 13 2
21 DF   USA Nicky Downs 11 0 11 0
20 FW   NOR Markus Naglestad 9 1 8 1
17 FW   USA Alfonso Vazquez 4 1 4 1
16 MF   BRA Gabriel Torres 15 2 14 2
10 MF   USA Danny Barrera 17 2 16 2
9 FW   USA Mac Steeves 0 0 0 0
8 MF   DEN Mads Jørgensen 12 2 12 2
6 MF   ENG Arthur Rogers 15 1 14 1
3 DF   BRA Matheus Silva 15 1 14 1
2 DF   USA Alex Lara 12 1 12 1
7 MF   USA Noah Paravicini 0 0 0 0
80 MF   USA Justin Haak 8 1 7 1
Players who left Hartford during the season:
85 MF   ENG Tyreke Johnson 14 2 14 2
5 DF   ENG Alex Davey 3 0 3 0

Disciplinary record

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No. Pos. Name USLC Total
       
3 Defender Matheus Silva 8 0 9 0
10 Midfielder Danny Barrera 4 0 5 0
21 Midfielder Nicky Downs 1 0 1 0
42 Forward Dre Deas 1 0 0 1
11 Forward Alex Dixon 3 0 3 0
28 Midfielder Conor McGlynn 1 0 1 0
33 Midfielder Harry Swartz 2 0 2 0
5 Defender Alex Davey 1 0 1 0
16 Midfielder Gabriel Torres 3 0 3 0
35 Goalkeeper Parfait Mandanda 0 1 0 1
24 Defender Sam Strong 7 0 8 0
12 Defender Alex Lara 3 0 3 0
80 Midfielder Justin Haak 3 0 3 0
4 Defender Kevin Politz 1 0 2 0
88 Midfielder Tyreke Johnson 2 0 2 0
18 Goalkeeper Mike Novotny 1 0 1 0
8 Midfielder Mads Jørgensen 1 0 1 0
6 Midfielder Arthur Rogers 1 0 1 0
99 Forward Ever Guzman 1 0 1 0
20 Forward Markus Naglestad 1 0 1 0
25 Defender Idan Cohen 1 0 1 0

Clean sheets

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No. Name USLC USLC Playoffs Total Games Played
22   Parfait Mandanda 4 0 4 16
16   Mike Novotny 1 0 1 2

Transfers

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Pos. Player Transferred from Fee/notes Date Source
Defender Sam Strong Fresno FC Free December 1, 2019
Defender Gabriel Torres Chattanooga FC Free December 9, 2020
Defender Kevin Politz Greenville Triumph SC Free December 9, 2019
Forward Dre Deas CSUN Matadors Free December 12, 2019
Defender Alex Lara CSUN Matadors Free December 12, 2019
Midfielder Noah Paravicini Napa Valley 1839 FC Free December 18, 2019
Forward Arthur Rogers Texas–Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros Free December 23, 2020
Forward Ever Guzman San Antonio FC Free January 8, 2020
Midfielder Matheus Silva Miami FC Free January 13, 2020
Midfielder Conor McGlynn FA Euro New York Open tryouts March 12, 2020
Forward Alfonso Vazquez Windham High School Open tryouts March 12, 2020
Forward Markus Naglestad Egersunds IK Free August 13, 2020
Defender Idan Cohen Hapoel Tel Aviv F.C. Free September 3, 2020
Pos. Player Transferred to Fee/notes Date Source
Defender Alex Davey  Tampa Bay Rowdies Free September 2

Loan in

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Pos. Player Parent club Length/Notes Beginning End Source
Goalkeeper Parfait Mandanda   R. Charleroi S.C. Season long February 20 End of season
Midfielder Tyreke Johnson   Southampton F.C. Season long February 24 October 8
Midfielder Justin Haak   New York City FC Remainder of the season September 9 End of season

Loan out

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Pos. Player Loanee club Length/Notes Beginning End Source

Kits

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Home
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Away
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Charity Alternate
Type Shirt Shorts Socks First appearance / Record
Home Green Green Green Match 3 vs. Louisville / 6–2–1
Away White White White Match 1 vs. New York / 4–0–2
Charity
Alternate
Red Red Red Match 15 vs. Philadelphia / 1-0-0

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Hartford Athletic – Our Story". HartfordAthletic.com. Hartford Athletic. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  2. ^ "USL Championship Unveils 2020 Schedule". January 9, 2020. Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  3. ^ "Hartford Athletic, Jimmy Nielsen agree to part ways". New England Soccer Journal. October 27, 2019. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  4. ^ "Hartford Athletic names Radhi Jaidi as head coach". New England Soccer Journal. November 8, 2019. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  5. ^ "Hartford Athletic and COO Part Ways; Andy Smith Named Interim Team President". www.hartfordathletic.com. November 13, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  6. ^ "Hartford Athletic Welcomes Back Four Players for 2020 Season". www.hartfordathletic.com. October 30, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  7. ^ "Danny Barrera Returning to Hartford Athletic for 2020 Season". www.hartfordathletic.com. November 5, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  8. ^ "Mads Jørgensen Returning to Hartford Athletic for 2020 Season". www.hartfordathletic.com. November 14, 2019. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  9. ^ "Mike Novotny Returning in 2020". www.hartfordathletic.com. December 4, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  10. ^ "Hartford Athletic Signs English Midfielder Aiden Mesias". www.hartfordathletic.com. November 25, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  11. ^ "Defender Sam Strong Joins Hartford Athletic". www.hartfordathletic.com. December 2, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  12. ^ "Hartford Athletic Signs Defender Gabriel Torres". www.hartfordathletic.com. December 9, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  13. ^ "Hartford Athletic Signs Defender Kevin Politz". www.hartfordathletic.com. December 10, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  14. ^ "Forward Dre Deas Joins 2020 Roster". www.hartfordathletic.com. December 12, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  15. ^ "Hartford Athletic Signs Defender Alex Lara". www.hartfordathletic.com. December 13, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  16. ^ "Hartford Athletic Signs Midfielder Noah Paravacini". www.hartfordathletic.com. December 18, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  17. ^ "Midfielder Arthur Rogers Signs for 2020 Season". www.hartfordathletic.com. December 23, 2019.
  18. ^ "Athletic Sign San Antonio FC All-Time Leading Scorer, Ever Guzmán". www.hartfordathletic.com. December 23, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  19. ^ "Hartford Athletic Signs Defender Matheus Silva". www.hartfordathletic.com. January 14, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  20. ^ "Return of the Mac: Steeves Returning for 2020". www.hartfordathletic.com. January 15, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  21. ^ "Hartford Athletic Acquires Goalkeeper Parfait Mandanda on Loan". www.hartfordathletic.com. February 20, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  22. ^ "Southampton's Tyreke Johnson Joins Hartford Athletic on Loan". www.hartfordathletic.com. February 24, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
  23. ^ "Hartford Athletic roster". HartfordAthletic.com. Hartford Athletic. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
  24. ^ "Hartford Athletic Announces 2020 USL Schedule". hartfordathletic.com. July 2, 2020. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  25. ^ "Philadelphia Union II Match Against Hartford Athletic Rescheduled". Philadelphia Union. August 7, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  26. ^ "Match Against Philadelphia Union II Postponed". HartfordAthletic.com. August 19, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2020.
  27. ^ "Restructured Competition Format For 2020 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Provides Opportunity For More "David vs. Goliath" Matchups In 107th Edition Of U.S. Soccer's National Championship". U.S. Soccer Federation. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  28. ^ a b "U.S. Soccer Temporarily Suspends 2020 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Due to COVID-19 Outbreak". ussoccer.com. March 13, 2020. Retrieved March 15, 2020.