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)

Season in review

Background, off-season and pre-season

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
As of September 4, 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

Match results
February 12, 2020 (2020-02-12) Preseason 1 Hartford Athletic 3–0 Newtown Pride FC Farmington, Connecticut
 Report Stadium: Farmington Sports Arena
February 14, 2020 (2020-02-14) Preseason 2 New York Red Bulls II 2–3 Hartford Athletic Montclair, New Jersey
 Report
Stadium: MSU Soccer Park at Pittser Field
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
Main article: 2020 USL Championship season

Standings — Group F
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

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 Yellow card 78'
Elney Yellow card 90+4'		 Report Guzmán 12'
Silva Yellow card 53'
Barrera Yellow card 62'
Downs Yellow card 89'
Deas Yellow card 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 Yellow card 65'		 Report Amoh Yellow card 43', 58' (pen.)
Doue Yellow card 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 Yellow card 29'
Torres 39'
Jørgensen 43'
Guzmán 53'
McGlynn Yellow card 66'		 Report Scintu 4'
Picazo 16'
Kingue Yellow card 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 Yellow card 33'
Davey Yellow card 45+5'
Dixon 46'
Silva Yellow card 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 Yellow card 45'
Barrera 66'
Dixon Yellow card 84'
Torres Yellow card 90+3'
Vazquez Villar 90+8'		 Report Amoh 21' (pen.), Yellow card 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 Yellow card 27'
Strong 40', Yellow card 86'
Johnson Yellow card 45+3'		 Report LaCava Yellow card 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 Yellow card 28'
Barrera Yellow card 67'
Silva Yellow card 69'
Naglestad 85'
Dixon 89'		 Report Wiedt 22'
Ndour Yellow card 23'
Amoustapha Yellow card 44'
Amoh 73', Yellow card 84'
Greene Yellow card 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 Yellow card 83' Report Gómez Yellow card 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 Yellow card 6'
Rogers 17', Yellow card 56'
Strong Yellow card 43'
Guzmán Yellow card 70'
Torres 76'		 Report Fawole 4'
Ndour Yellow card 30'
Mehl Yellow card 77' Yellow-red card 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 Yellow card 39'
Torres Yellow card 81'
Naglestad Yellow card 82'
Haak Yellow card 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 Yellow card 43', 75'
Dixon 45+1'
Torres Yellow card 54'
Barrera Yellow card 68'		 Report Rito Yellow card 40'
LaCava 64'
Clark Yellow card 69'		 Stadium: Dillon Stadium
Referee: Thomas Snyder
September 20 14 Philadelphia Union II 0–3 Hartford Athletic Chester, PA
5:00 PM EDT Huckaby Yellow card 34' Report Dixon 8', 58'
Topey 13' (o.g.)
Strong Yellow card 44'
Johnson Yellow card 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', Yellow card 88'
Cohen Yellow card 56'
Jørgensen Yellow card 68'		 Report McGlynn 76'
Aaronson Yellow card 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 Yellow card 72' Report Guzmán soccer ball with red X 30', 36'
Silva Yellow card 47'
Politz Yellow card 50'
Barrera Yellow card 64'
Mandanda Red card 71'
Novotny Yellow card 89'
Haak Yellow card 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 Yellow card 7'
Cohen 22' (o.g.)
Sorenson Yellow card 42'
Stafford 60'		 Report Jørgensen 8' (pen.)
Lara 15'
Dixon Yellow card 25'
Strong Yellow card 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 Yellow card 48'
Sowe Yellow card 55'
Dieye Yellow card 83'		 Report Lara Yellow card 39'
Johnson 65'
McGlynn 75'
Strong Yellow card 90+1'		 Stadium: MSU Soccer Park at Pittser Field
Referee: Sean Lyons

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

U.S. Open Cup
Main article: 2020 U.S. Open Cup

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]

April 9 2nd Round Hartford Athletic Connecticut P–P Massachusetts Western Mass Pioneers or
Maine GPS Portland Phoenix 		Hartford, CT
7:00 pm EDT Stadium: Dillon Stadium
Note: Match cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic[28]

Statistics

Appearances and goals
No. Pos Nat Player TotalUSLC
AppsGoalsAppsGoals
11 FW United States USA Alex Dixon 
||16 || 6 ||15 || 6
99 FW Mexico MEX Éver Guzmán 
|| 13 || 5 || 12|| 5
4 DF United States USA Kevin Politz 
||15  || 1||14 ||1
33 MF United States USA Harry Swartz 
||7  || 1||7 ||1
23 MF England ENG Aiden Mesias 
|| 14 || 0||13 ||0
42 FW United States USA Dre Deas 
|| 7 || 0|| 7||0
28 MF United States USA Conor McGlynn 
||10  ||1 ||9 ||1
25 DF Israel ISR Idan Cohen 
|| 8 || 0|| 7||0
24 DF United States USA Sam Strong 
||14  || 2|| 13||2
21 DF United States USA Nicky Downs 
||11  || 0|| 11||0
20 FW Norway NOR Markus Naglestad 
|| 9 ||1 || 8||1
17 FW United States USA Alfonso Vazquez 
||  4||1 || 4||1
16 MF Brazil BRA Gabriel Torres 
||15  || 2|| 14||2
10 MF United States USA Danny Barrera 
|| 17 ||2 || 16||2
9 FW United States USA Mac Steeves 
||0  || 0|| 0||0
8 MF Denmark DEN Mads Jørgensen 
||12  ||2 || 12||2
6 MF England ENG Arthur Rogers 
||15  ||1 ||14 ||1
3 DF Brazil BRA Matheus Silva 
|| 15 || 1|| 14||1
2 DF United States USA Alex Lara 
||12  ||1 || 12||1
7 MF United States USA Noah Paravicini 
||0  ||0 || 0||0
80 MF United States USA Justin Haak 
|| 8 ||1 ||7 ||1
Players who left Hartford during the season:
85 MF England ENG Tyreke Johnson 142142
5 DF England ENG Alex Davey 3030

Disciplinary record
No. Pos. Name USLC Total
Yellow cardRed cardYellow cardRed card
3DefenderMatheus Silva8090
10MidfielderDanny Barrera4050
21MidfielderNicky Downs1010
42ForwardDre Deas1001
11ForwardAlex Dixon3030
28MidfielderConor McGlynn1010
33MidfielderHarry Swartz2020
5DefenderAlex Davey1010
16MidfielderGabriel Torres3030
35GoalkeeperParfait Mandanda0101
24DefenderSam Strong7080
12DefenderAlex Lara3030
80MidfielderJustin Haak3030
4DefenderKevin Politz1020
88MidfielderTyreke Johnson2020
18GoalkeeperMike Novotny1010
8MidfielderMads Jørgensen1010
6MidfielderArthur Rogers1010
99ForwardEver Guzman1010
20ForwardMarkus Naglestad1010
25DefenderIdan Cohen1010

Clean sheets
No. Name USLC USLC Playoffs Total Games Played
22 Democratic Republic of the Congo Parfait Mandanda 40416
16 United States Mike Novotny 1012

Transfers

In
Pos. Player Transferred from Fee/notes Date Source
DefenderSam StrongFresno FCFreeDecember 1, 2019
DefenderGabriel TorresChattanooga FCFreeDecember 9, 2020
DefenderKevin PolitzGreenville Triumph SCFreeDecember 9, 2019
ForwardDre DeasCSUN MatadorsFreeDecember 12, 2019
DefenderAlex LaraCSUN MatadorsFreeDecember 12, 2019
MidfilederNoah ParaviciniNapa Valley 1839 FCFreeDecember 18, 2019
ForwardArthur RogersTexas–Rio Grande Valley VaquerosFreeDecember 23, 2020
ForwardEver GuzmanSan Antonio FCFreeJanuary 8, 2020
MidfielderMatheus SilvaMiami FCFreeJanuary 13, 2020
MidfielderConor McGlynnFA Euro New YorkOpen tryoutsMarch 12, 2020
ForwardAlfonso VazquezWindham High SchoolOpen tryoutsMarch 12, 2020
ForwardMarkus NaglestadEgersunds IKFreeAugust 13, 2020
DefenderIdan CohenHapoel Tel Aviv F.C.FreeSeptember 3, 2020

Out
Pos. Player Transferred to Fee/notes Date Source
DefenderAlex DaveyUnited StatesTampa Bay RowdiesFreeSeptember 2

Loan in
Pos. Player Parent club Length/Notes Beginning End Source
GoalkeeperParfait MandandaBelgium R. Charleroi S.C.Season longFebruary 20End of season
MidfielderTyreke JohnsonEngland Southampton F.C.Season longFebruary 24October 8
MidfielderJustin HaakUnited States New York City FCRemainder of the seasonSeptember 9End of season

Loan out
Pos. Player Loanee club Length/Notes Beginning End Source

Kits
Home
Away
Charity Alternate
TypeShirtShortsSocksFirst appearance / Record
HomeGreenGreenGreenMatch 3 vs. Louisville / 6–2–1
AwayWhiteWhiteWhiteMatch 1 vs. New York / 4–0–2
Charity
Alternate		RedRedRedMatch 15 vs. Philadelphia / 1-0-0

See also

References
  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. "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.
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