Relentless offensive attacking play from San Diego Loyal SC proved to be too much for Hartford tonight, as they dropped the match 2-0.
Loyal SC put pressure on Hartford early, hitting the post with a shot in the 10th minute and breaking through to score eight minutes later. Tumi Moshobane made a quality run up the right flank into Hartford’s third, and passed across field to Evan Conway. The San Diego forward dribbled around the charging Joe Rice and scored on the open net to give the visitors the 1-0 lead. Entering the match, Loyal SC held an 11-1-3 record when Conway scores a goal since he joined the club in 2022.
San Diego kept their foot on the gas, as Joe Corona booted a shot just wide of the net after some quality build up play just two minutes after taking the lead. Athletic began to create some positive offensive play from the 25th minute onward. Danny Barrera was given space outside the box and took a shot near the goal, and Hartford did well to draw a free kick for Prince Saydee after a long spell of possession in San Diego’s third. In the 40th minute, Antoine Hoppenot made a strong run up the right flank and made a cross to an open Elvis Amoh, but it flew just above his head. Their last chance of the half came when Juan Pablo Torres connected a forward pass to Saydee in transition in the 42nd minute, and Saydee took a well-struck shot off target.
Hartford began the second half moving forward on the comeback trail, nearly equalizing on a shot from Saydee that challenged Loyal SC keeper Jorge Ojeda-Ruiz. A corner kick and lengthy possession in San Diego’s third followed, but nothing came of it for the Green and Blue. San Diego capitalized on Hartford’s missed opportunity just minutes later, as Moshobane and Conway connected for a second time to give the visitors a 2-0 lead in the 60th minute.
Hartford were unable to fight their way back into the match after conceding the second goal, and 2-0 would become the final score. The shot from Saydee in the 56th minute ended up being Hartford’s only shot on target.
Kembo Kibato made his first appearance since suffering a foot injury on March 25th. Joe Rice made two saves, and Prince Saydee led Hartford’s attack with three shots and three chances created. Hartford hit the road for three straight games through the rest of July, kicking off next at FC Tulsa on Saturday, July 15th.Â
FAST STATS
Shots (On-Target): Hartford 12 (1) San Diego 14 (5)
Corners: Hartford 2 San Diego 3
Fouls: Hartford 15 San Diego 13
Offsides: Hartford 3 San Diego 1
Possession: Hartford 51.9% San Diego 48.1%
Passing Accuracy: Hartford 85.6% San Diego 80.9%
Saves: Hartford 2 San Diego 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
18’ – Conway (Moshobahe)
61’ – Conway (Moshobahe)
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY:
13’ – Perez (Yellow)
26’ – Martin (Yellow)
28’ – Conway (Yellow)
67’ – Edwards (Yellow)
84’ – Lapert (Yellow)
90 + 4’ – Riley (Yellow)
HARTFORD ATHLETIC STARTING LINEUP:
13 (GK) Joe Rice, 5 (DF) Triston Hodge, 50 (DF) Niall Logue (Lapert, 53’); 28 (MF) Conor McGlynn, 19 (DF) Luke Merrill (Sheldon, 63’); 8 (MF) Juan Pablo Torres (Kibato, 72’); 10 (MF) Danny Barrera (Lewis, 72’); 72 (MF) Edgardo Rito, 29 (MF) Antoine Hoppenot (Edwards, 53’); 9 (FW) Elvis Amoh, 7 (FW) Prince Saydee
SAN DIEGO STARTING LINEUP:
1 (GK) Jorge Ojeda-Ruz, 3 (DF) Elijah Martin (Adams, 83’); 5 (DF) Grant Stoneman, 13 (DF) Camden Riley, 7 (DF) Blake Bodily (Hackworth, 78’); 6 (MF) Charlie Adams (Guido, 59’); 17 (MF) Collin Martin, 15 (MF) Joe Corona, 14 (FW) Adrien Perez, 9 (FW) Evan Conway (Damus, 78’); 11 (FW) Tumi Moshobane (Collier, 78’)
