Hartford Athletic Aim to Get Back on Track Against Detroit City
The Latics are still trying to move off the bottom of the table in the Eastern Conference
Hartford Athletic returns to Trinity Health Stadium on Saturday evening, hosting Detroit City FC in the first game of a two-game homestand. The Latics are looking to get back into the groove, as before last weekend’s setback in Charleston, they had won two straight at home, shutting out their opponents in both games.
Last weekend, the Latics showed fight on the road, but were ultimately well beaten by Charleston Battery, falling 4-2 at Patriots Point. Hartford started the game off on the right foot, creating chances in the opening minute and taking the lead through Jordan Scarlett’s second goal of the season.
But the Battery upped their intensity and took control of the game, preventing the visitors from taking another shot for nearly an hour of game time, by which point the hosts had a 3-1 lead. Michee Ngalina converted a penalty — his 10th career goal in all competitions for Hartford — but an Olimpico from Juan David Torres almost immediately restored Charleston’s two-goal cushion.
The loss highlighted the gulf between the two teams and once again emphasized that in the attack, the Latics have a long way to go. With six league games under their belts Hartford are not only languishing at the bottom of the table in the Eastern Conference, it also has the worst attack in the league by almost any measure. On a per-game basis, the Latics have the fewest goals, the fewest shots, the fewest shots on target, the least possession, the fewest touches in the opposition box, and the second-fewest ‘big chances.’
Only time will tell if the additions of a healthy Samuel Careaga and loanee Jack Panayotou will improve things, and the Latics face the challenge of trying to come together as a team while they play teams that have already gelled and are beginning to fire on all cylinders. Things don’t get any easier, as Hartford follows up the trip to Charleston with visits from two more of the current top four teams in the Eastern Conference, squads who have clearly got things clicking right out of the gate.
As for Saturday’s opposition, Detroit City are coming off a tough week. They coughed up a two-goal lead against Indy Eleven last Saturday and were then blanked midweek by Chicago Fire in the U.S. Open Cup but still rank as one of the best teams in the conference.
It’s a particularly challenging matchup for Hartford, as its weak attack will take on another very good defense. Through eight games, City are allowing the second-fewest shots per game, have given up the second-fewest expected goals per game, and grade out very well by basically every defensive measure.
At the other end of the pitch, City have been largely reliant on forward Darren Smith. The well-travelled South African, who has played for a number of clubs in Finland and South Africa as well as a brief stint in Morocco, leads his side with eight goals in ten games in all competitions and his seven goals in the Championship lead all scorers so far.
Brendan Burke emphasized the importance of containing the scoring threat.
“I think you have to be physical with him,” the Hartford head coach said. “I think you have to meet him in his half of the field. I don't think you can just react to his movements because it's very quick and he's been, he's proving a a clean finisher.”
Containing Smith — and getting a result against Detroit — will require Hartford to maintain its focus throughout the ninety minutes as well as continue to develop in the attacking third. There have been positive signs for this squad over the last few weeks, but those signs will need to turn into something more as the Latics desperately need to begin accumulating some points.