Assessing the 90: Hartford Athletic Hold Off Louisville City FC in 0-0 Draw

One of the best defensive performances of the season results in the team's second clean sheet of 2023.

Jun 4, 2023

Days after Hartford manager Tab Ramos voiced frustration with his team's defense, his squad responded with its second clean sheet of the season in a 0-0 draw against Louisville City FC.

While the home side would've preferred taking three points in their final game of a three-game home stand, it was a much-improved defensive performance, which prevented the visitors from not just scoring, but registering a shot on target.

"Overall I thought it was a well-played match by both teams. We focused obviously a little bit more on the defensive side this week, in particular with all the goals we've given up, and I thought the team did a great job with that," said Ramos after the match.

Hartford saw some rotation in their squad following last week's 4-1 home loss to Sacramento Republic, most notably a change in net. Former New England Revolution II and Loudon United keeper Joe Rice made his 2023 USL Championship debut in place of Richard Sanchez, who conceded 24 goals in 11 games and with a 54% save percentage. While Rice didn't register a save, he still earned recognition from his manager for keeping the ball out of the net.

"Part of being a goalkeeper is leading the guys in front of you. Sometimes that's making saves and sometimes by just using instructions to get guys in the right place," said Ramos. "I thought today he had a good game and did a good job. And getting a clean sheet is important."

Andre Lewis and Luke Merrill also made starts after coming off the bench last week in place of Kyle Edwards and Danny Barrera. Lewis replaced Barrera in the midfield, while Merrill earned his first start of the season at right wingback, pushing Matt Sheldon to forward in place of Edwards.

Louisville City controlled the match from the very beginning, but found it difficult to break down Hartford's 5-3-2 formation. It took 18 minutes for Louisville to register their first shot, after Wilson Harris' low shot from a designed set piece missed the net to Joe Rice's right.

While both teams still searched for some offensive rhythm, they also turned to their benches earlier than intended due to injuries minutes apart. Paulo Del Piccolo replaced Brian Ownby in the 26th minute, while Elvis Amoh came off with an apparent right hamstring injury for Kyle Edwards in the 29th minute.

The first shot on target was finally registered after a corner kick in the 34th minute led to a loose ball that Antonite Hoppenot fired from close range. Louisville keeper Oliver Semmle made a reaction save, deflecting the ball straight up, then punched the ball off the line.

Hoppenot forced another great save from Semmle in first half stoppage time. After gathering a loose ball down the left wing, Hoppenot carried the ball into the box and shot near post, but Semmle pushed the ball out for a corner kick.

Louisville City nearly had the breakthrough they had been waiting for in the 67th minute, when an errant pass through the box from Hartford defender Kaveh Rad gave Enoch Mushagalusa a clear shot on target, but Mushagalusa fired the ball over the bar.

Chances through the rest of the game were few and far between as the teams fought to a stalemate and failed to find a breakthrough. Hartford midfielder Tristan Hodge nearly stole the win in the 82nd minute when a long-range shot from well outside the box just missed the far post. Louisville applied pressure in the closing seconds of the game with Tyler Gibson gathering a cleared cross outside the box, but shot it just wide of the post.

Not only did the match see Hartford Athletic come away with a point and a clean sheet, but also the return of Prince Saydee. Saydee entered the match in the 69th minute, his first appearance after leaving injured in Hartford's 2-0 win against Loudoun United on May 20.

Hartford plays next Saturday, June 10th at 7 PM in a road fixture at Indy Eleven.