PRESENTED BY TRAVELERS
Date: Saturday, June 1st, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Location: Trinity Health Stadium, Hartford, CT
Watch: MyTV9, wtnh.com, ESPN+
HARTFORD ATHLETIC (4-6-0) vs RHODE ISLAND FC (1-3-7)
Coming off an uplifting home victory last Friday to snap a five-match losing streak, Hartford Athletic carry some momentum into their highly-anticipated first ever matchup with Rhode Island FC.
LAST TIME OUT
Hartford Athletic are coming off a 2-1 victory at home over Monterey Bay FC on Friday, May, 24th. Despite falling behind early to a goal in the 17th minute from Adrian Rebollar, two responding goals from the Green and Blue propelled Hartford to a comeback triumph against their Western Conference opponent. Hartford’s first goal came in the 33rd minute from Michee Ngalina when the winger drove a shot that deflected off of Monterey Bay’s Kai Greene and past Antony Siaha. Hartford struck again with a goal from Deshane Beckford in the 50th minute, who found space in the box and buried a shot in the back of the net. Both of Hartford’s goals were set up by Thomas Vancaeyezeele, who’s standout performance earned him a spot on the USL Championship Team of the Week for week 12. Hartford outshot Monterey Bay 14 to nine, commanding themselves in the attacking third. Although the visitors controlled possession in the second half, they couldn’t equalize.
THE BIRTH OF A RIVALRY
Rhode Island FC and Hartford Athletic bring a new rivalry to the USL Championship, standing in closer proximity to each other than any other teams in the league. These New England neighbors are separated by just over 80 miles, making travel times under an hour and a half from stadium to stadium. As the only two USL Championship clubs in New England, tomorrow’s match kicks off a battle for regional supremacy.
FAMILIAR FACES
Former Hartford Athletic players Conor McGlynn and Prince Saydee return to Trinity Health Stadium for the first time this Saturday. Two of the most prominent players in the history of the club, their move to Rhode Island FC this offseason was an early storyline in the young rivalry’s history. McGlynn was a beloved midfielder in Hartford, logging over 4,000 minutes played after making the team via open tryouts in 2020. His four seasons spent in Green and Blue are the second most of any player in club history, behind only Danny Barrera. Saydee joined Athletic in 2022, and turned in the two best seasons of his career in Hartford. He scored 14 goals and dished out 11 assists, putting his speed and powerful left foot on full display over 64 appearances and 55 starts. Both McGlynn and Saydee have moments that live in Hartford Athletic’s all-time highlight reel, including McGlynn’s goal from his own half in 2021 as part of a 7-0 route of Red Bulls II, and Saydee’s magnificent bending strike and backflip celebration en route to a 3-2 victory over FC Tulsa in 2022. Both efforts were voted the Fan’s Choice Goal of the Year in those seasons.
VERSATILE VAN
Thomas Vancaeyezeele was excellent for Hartford last Friday, stepping up for his team while playing in a new position. Normally a center back, Vancaeyezeele played in the middle of Hartford’s 4-2-3-1 formation. The 29 year old Frenchman was extremely effective from the middle, dishing out two assists, creating two chances, and adding two interceptions and two tackles won to his defensive effort.
BETWEEN THE POSTS
In his six starts for Rhode Island, Jackson Lee has been a critical component to his team’s defensive success. Lee was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week back to back (Weeks five and six) after recording his two-straight clean sheets. The Australian keeper shares the net with Koko Vegas, who was recently named to the Team of the Week for week 12, following his second clean sheet for the club this season. The 28-year-old achieved the club’s fourth shutout and recorded three saves in their recent draw against Louisville City FC.
Hartford’s matchup against Rhode Island marks Renan Ribeiro’s fifth consecutive game back in net. Ribeiro has faced 24 shots in the past four games, boasting a 67% save success rate. In Saturday’s match against Monterey Bay, Ribeiro loomed large for Hartford, stopping all but one of the nine shots Monterey Bay sent his way. He made an outstanding save in the 88th minute of the match after he blocked a top corner shot sent from outside the box. Ribeiro is six-for-six in defensive duels and a three-for-three in aerial duels won this season as well.
HODGE HITS THE CENTURY MARK
Hartford Athletic outside back Triston Hodge will make his 100th USL Championship appearance if he features in Saturday’s match. The 29 year old Trinidadian defender reaches the milestone in his seventh season in the Championship, beginning his career with Toronto FC II in 2016.
ABOUT THE OPPONENT
Rhode Island FC are the most recent addition to the Championship, and currently sit 11th on the table with a 1-3-7 record. Despite just one victory, Rhode Island have put forth impressive performances against Western Conference league leader New Mexico United, and Eastern Conference league leader Charleston Battery. In both games, Rhode Island prevented these top contenders from taking home a win, and forced New Mexico’s only tie in their 7-2-1 record. Rhode Island have scored the same amount of goals as Hartford (10).
Prematch Interviews
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Hartford Athletic: Deshane Beckford FW #31
Beckford netted his second goal in Green and Blue on Friday, but has been a crucial contributor to Hartfords attack all season long. The forward currently stands as second best on the team in both shots (18) and goals (2). Beckford also leads in chances created for the team with 13 contributed throughout the 10 games he has started and played. With Rhode Island’s notoriously strong defense and goalkeeping, Beckfords offensive mindset and excellent ball control will be a valuable asset in Hartfords attempt to secure the win.
Rhode Island FC: Albert Dikwa FW #10
Albert “Chico” Dikwa, the 24 year old Cameroonian forward, has been a key piece to Rhode Island’s attacking success throughout the season. The reigning USL Championship Most Valuable Player and Golden Boot winner has carried his ability to dominate in the attacking third to his first season with RIFC. In Rhode Island’s match against Monterey Bay FC, Dikwa scored a goal and a brace, making history as the first player to score for the club. Dikwa was later named to the USL Championship Team of the Week for week three. The forward currently leads the team in goals and shots, with three and 17 respectively. Dikwa will challenge Hartford’s back line on Saturday night, who are looking for their first clean sheet since March 23rd this season.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
For live updates, follow along on twitter using the hashtag #HFDvRI
