Hartford Athletic Close Season at Orange County, Still Hoping for the Playoffs
The Latics need to win and get some help in order to make the postseason for the first time since 2020
Hartford Athletic finish the season with a road trip to Orange County SC, with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. They no longer control their own destiny, and need some help to get into the playoffs - but they need a win tonight in California to have any chance.
In Wednesday’s rescheduled fixture against Tampa Bay, Hartford twice went ahead, only to be pegged back both times. Marcus Epps and Mamadou Dieng both scored for the Latics, with Dieng’s goal being his 11th of the season - a new single-season club record. Hartford have also already set a club record for points in a single season (44), and are level for the most wins in a single season in club history, with 12.Â
In other circumstances, a team faced with a stretch of three road games in eight days, with this level of cross-country travel would probably consider four points a good outcome, and five very good, but the Latics need more. With Wednesday’s result, Hartford cannot lose in Orange County if they are to make the playoffs - and they still need some help. If the Latics can get all three points tonight, they will still also need either Pittsburgh Riverhounds or North Carolina FC to drop points. A draw does Hartford no good, regardless of results elsewhere, as they do not own enough tiebreakers to come out on top.
Because of the scheduling, the Latics will know before kickoff if they can make the playoffs; Pittsburgh and NCFC both play at 7 EST, while Hartford does not kick off until 10 EST. If both clubs win, the Latics will be eliminated before they touch the ball; but if either draw or lose, Hartford will know that a win will put them in.
On the other side of the pitch, Orange County’s playoff place is secured, but depending on tonight’s results, they could finish anywhere from 6th to 8th in the Western Conference. OCSC are a bit of a streaky team; currently they are unbeaten in seven games, but prior to that went winless in six. Like the Latics, they’re not a particularly high-scoring team, with only 35 goals on the season so far (Hartford have 37), and they also have a negative goal differential.
Hartford have had less than 72 hours since their last game, and are playing their third game in eight days - but there might be everything to play for, and the Hartford faithful will be hoping that the club gets a little bit of luck - and then can deliver when the pressure is on.