Background
The new defender slots in competing for center back and defensive midfielder roles. Cardona is a product of GPS Conquistadores de Guaynabo (Puerto Rico), where he was part of Youth National Teams often wearing the captain’s arm band. During his time there, he was invited by Levante UD to their Pro-Levante program and joined the High Performance Center TNGS in Spain. Cardona then was offered a scholarship by DePaul University in Chicago and finished his college degree with Assumption University in Massachusetts. In 2019, Cardona was called up to the Puerto Rico senior team for the international friendly against Hartford Athletic at Dillon Stadium and played right back in that match. Following his college career, in the summer of 2020, Cardona went to UB Conquense in the Spanish Segunda División B where he would train with the first team and play with their U23s. Cardona looks forward representing and connecting with the vibrant Puerto Rican community in Hartford and wants to open doors for more players.
What to Watch For
- Aggressiveness in challenging for the ball, taking away space, and closing down the opposition
- High motor and resilience boosts his defensive actions
- Spatial awareness and strong positioning
- Positional versatility: comfortable and effective playing on and off the ball as a CDM and CB
Highlights
Background
The new defender slots in competing for center back and defensive midfielder roles. Cardona is a product of GPS Conquistadores de Guaynabo (Puerto Rico), where he was part of Youth National Teams often wearing the captain’s arm band. During his time there, he was invited by Levante UD to their Pro-Levante program and joined the High Performance Center TNGS in Spain. Cardona then was offered a scholarship by DePaul University in Chicago and finished his college degree with Assumption University in Massachusetts. In 2019, Cardona was called up to the Puerto Rico senior team for the international friendly against Hartford Athletic at Dillon Stadium and played right back in that match. Following his college career, in the summer of 2020, Cardona went to UB Conquense in the Spanish Segunda DivisiĂłn B where he would train with the first team and play with their U23s. Cardona looks forward representing and connecting with the vibrant Puerto Rican community in Hartford and wants to open doors for more players.Â
What to Watch For
- Aggressiveness in challenging for the ball, taking away space, and closing down the oppositionÂ
- High motor and resilience boosts his defensive actionsÂ
- Spatial awareness and strong positioning
- Positional versatility: comfortable and effective playing on and off the ball as a CDM and CB
Highlights
Cardona's Take
"I am thrilled and honored to start my professional career with Hartford Athletic. I played at Dillon Stadium in a friendly match as a member of the Puerto Rico National Team in 2019 and I'll never forget how passionate and enthusiastic the fans are. I also won't forget how the Puerto Rican community in Hartford embraced us. Representing my country on the pitch is one of the highest honors I have achieved in my career and I am excited to play professionally in a city and state that is rich with Puerto Rican culture."
Coach's Corner
“Nicolás will add some steel to our team. He has a natural passion to defend and will put it all on the line for the team. He’s very talented with the ball and will help the style of play. Having an Puerto Rican International goes to show where the club is going and how attractive we are to players playing at the highest level.” – Coach Watling
Cardona’s Take
“I am thrilled and honored to start my professional career with Hartford Athletic. I played at Dillon Stadium in a friendly match as a member of the Puerto Rico National Team in 2019 and I’ll never forget how passionate and enthusiastic the fans are. I also won’t forget how the Puerto Rican community in Hartford embraced us. Representing my country on the pitch is one of the highest honors I have achieved in my career and I am excited to play professionally in a city and state that is rich with Puerto Rican culture.”
Coach’s Corner
“Nicolás will add some steel to our team. He has a natural passion to defend and will put it all on the line for the team. He’s very talented with the ball and will help the style of play. Having an Puerto Rican International goes to show where the club is going and how attractive we are to players playing at the highest level.” – Coach Watling
