Hartford Athletic Fight Back to Claim Three Points Against Louisville City

Mamadou Dieng strikes twice in the second half to propel the Latics to victory over 10-man Lou City

Photo Courtesy of Hartford Athletic

Hartford Athletic secured a first-ever win over Louisville City on Saturday night, powered by two second-half goals from Mamadou Dieng and some fine keeping from Renan Ribeiro. It was the second consecutive week — and fifth time overall — that the Latics have come from behind to secure a result.

The first 25 minutes of the game played out as one might expect given the relative positions of the two teams on the league table. Louisville City were very much on top, with almost all the action coming in their attacking end.

Everything changed in the 29th minute when City midfielder Adrien Perez was assessed a red card — the first of his professional career — for abusive language. Up to that point, the traffic had been largely one way, but the sending-off gave the Latics an opportunity to change the direction of the game.

Unfortunately for Hartford, it was Louisville who struck first — despite being down a man — when Taylor Davila weaved his way through the defense and struck the ball past Ribeiro in the 37th minute. After that, neither team was able to add to the scoreline, and the visitors took a 1-0 lead into the tunnel at halftime.

The Latics opened up the second half with real intent, and it only took them three minutes to level the score. The ball was recycled following a corner and Danny Barrera released Emmanuel Samadia into space on the right-hand side. The fullback’s cross evaded two Lou City defenders and Dieng was in the right place to turn it home at the near post and bring the hosts back on level terms.

It was Dieng again who gave Hartford the lead in the 84th minute. The opportunity came from the right-hand side again, with Marcus Epps providing the service this time. Kyle Edwards touched the ball on in the box, and Dieng turned and buried the ball into the top of the net to put the Latics ahead.

Hartford keeper Ribeiro was called on to preserve the lead twice in stoppage time. First, he got down well to save a Taylor Davila free kick and then tipping over a Dylan Mares strike as the clock wound down. Lou City could do nothing from the resulting corner and the whistle blew on a first-ever three points for the Latics against the perennial Eastern Conference finalists.

Another good result at home keeps Hartford within touching distance of the playoffs and provides some reason for optimism headed into the last ten games of the season. The Latics now need to find a way to get a few points on the road with next weekend’s trip to Detroit the first opportunity to do so. A result there would be a huge boost to a team that needs every point it can get it’s hands on in order to be playing meaningful football by Halloween.