Hartford Athletic suffered their worst defeat since 2024 on Saturday night, losing 4-nil to El Paso Locomotive. Not since a 6-nil loss to Louisville City have Hartford been beaten so comprehensively, and it was a sobering reminder that, despite scratching out results in the early going, this club is still a long way from where they want to be.
Before the game, Hartford recognized captain Jordan Scarlett for 200 career USL Championship appearances, but things went downhill for the Latics almost from the opening whistle. After the game, Brendan Burke was clear about what went wrong for his side.
“Energy was wrong," he said. "We got everything wrong. Tactically we got it wrong as a staff. We couldn't have done more wrong tonight if we tried. That's what I just said to the team. We were passing balls straight out of bounds from 7 yards away. They played well. They took every opportunity they had really, and we gave them plenty of opportunity because we were just bad on both sides of the ball.”
The first goal was indicative of how the game went. Hartford looked like it had snuffed out an El Paso attack, but a weak pass allowed Eric Calvillo to sneak in front of Adewale Obalola and get onto the ball in a very dangerous area. His shot from distance appeared to wrong-foot Antony Siaha in the Hartford goal, and the visitors had the lead in just the 12th minute.
Things went from bad to worse for the Latics just ten minutes later. Amando Moreno beat his man down the right-hand side and burst into the box. A clumsy challenge from Sadat Anaku – pressed into service at left-back – brought him down, and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Siaha guessed right on the ensuing penalty, but Tony Alfaro’s effort was perfectly placed, and El Paso had a 2-nil lead.
El Paso was then out of sight barely half an hour into the game, when Hartford failed to clear following a corner, and the ball fell to the feet of Diego Abitia who made no mistake from short range, firing home to put the visitors up 3-0. Former Latic Gabi Torres capped off the scoring in the second half, slotting home from short range after Siaha had saved Amando Moreno’s initial effort. The goal marked the first time the Latics have conceded four goals in a game since May 28 of last year, in a 4-all draw against Indy Eleven.
There were a couple of chances for Hartford to get a consolation goal, but they came to nothing, and they walked off the pitch having suffered their worst defeat in nearly two years.
While there were few bright spots for Hartford on the night, the game did provide an opportunity for Abdullah Taofeek to get some minutes, and Burke provided a positive assessment of his performance.
“He competed in the box, which other people weren't necessarily doing, and he caused chaos," Burke said. "He caused 3 or 4 second balls. His running was good. His pressing for his first time out at 18 years old, I maintain high hopes for him. I think he was one of the bright spots.”
The Latics will look for more bright spots in a week’s time against Loudoun United, but for now, they have to move on from a performance where they did very little right.
