Hartford Athletic Head West For Late-Night Clash With New Mexico United
Hartford Athletic Head West For Late-Night Clash With New Mexico United
The Western Conference leaders present a tough challenge as the Latics look to build momentum after four points from a two-game homestand
Hartford Athletic head back on the road this weekend after a two-game homestand that saw them pick up four points and snap a six-game losing streak. On Saturday, they'll face New Mexico United, who currently sit on top of the standings in the Western Conference.
After a power outage lasting more than 400 minutes, the Latics have started to get on the scoresheet more regularly with four goals now in the last three games. The goal return is a still a long way shy of expectations for this group of players - and there’s still a need for better finishing of the number of chances the team creates - but the signs of life in attack are a welcome sight for the Hartford faithful.
Another problem for the Latics this season has been conceding early goals. They’ve gone behind inside 20 minutes in six of the last seven games, and have not taken a lead in a game since a 3-2 win over The Miami FC on April 6th. Four points from losing positions after those early concessions in the last two games is a good indication of the club's ability to fight back, but it’s not a recipe for success in the long term.
Despite a surprising loss last time out to Monterey Bay, New Mexico sit on top of the Western Conference at the time of writing. Unusually, NMU are in that position despite having a negative goal differential, a reality driven by seven one-goal wins balanced against lopsided losses to Charleston and Tampa Bay in which they conceded a total of seven goals without reply.
Both teams will be also be without key players this weekend. For Hartford, Deshane Beckford, Triston Hodge, Emmanuel Samadia, and Kyle Edwards are all away with their national teams during this round of FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Samadia had the pick of the performances in the last round of games, assisting in Sierra Leone’s 2-1 win over Djibouti. On the opposite sideline, Zico Bailey - who had been virtually ever-present for his club side to this point - and Dayonn Harris are on international duty as well.
Hartford will be looking for a result on the road, where it has struggled this season. A reasonably good home record - three wins, a draw, and two losses in league play - is contrasted with poor performances away from Trinity Health Stadium. After winning their first road game in El Paso, the Latics have lost their last four games as visitors, conceding 13 goals while scoring only two along the way.
Some of this is down to the difficulties of travel in the USL Championship; clubs have to go long distances on commercial flights and don't necessarily have the resources to provide all the amenities that professional athletes need to recover quickly. All teams face these difficulties to one extent or another, though, and Brendan Burke & Co. need to find solutions and end the run of futility away from home.
Between the high level of the opposition, key players missing on international duty, and the difficult travel conditions, this is a tough game for a Hartford team that is still struggling to build momentum but fans tuning in for the 9 pm Eastern Time kickoff will be hoping for more signs the team is getting on the right path.