Hartford Athletic Set to Face San Antonio FC on Saturday
Hartford Athletic Set to Face San Antonio FC on Saturday
The Latics return to USL Championship play with a visit from 2022 League Champions SAFC
Hartford Athletic returns to action on Saturday night, welcoming San Antonio FC to Trinity Health Stadium as the Latics look to rebound from Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup loss to NYCFC II. This is only the second-ever meeting between the two clubs, with SAFC triumphing 5-2 at Toyota Field last season behind four goals from forward Tani Oluwayesi. Only a few players from that Hartford side remain, but fans will be looking forward to an opportunity to exact a measure of revenge.
In Wednesday’s Cup loss, Hartford created a number of excellent chances but was unable to find the back of the net, a problem the club has had in a couple of games so far this season. SAFC boasts a very tight defense through six games conceding relatively few chances and holding an expected goals against mark under 1.0, emphasizing the need for the Latics to take the chances they create.
That Hartford can create chances is not in doubt. No team in the league is averaging more shots per game, more shots on target per game, or has a higher expected goals per game than the Latics and only two teams have created more “big chances” so far this season. Hartford has accomplished this with a press that at times is beyond suffocating and they win possession in the final third more often than any other team in the league, resulting in plenty of opportunities in transition. It seems only a matter of time before the goals start flowing with more regularity.
San Antonio enter the 2023 season on the back of some major changes. The team that won the title in 2022 and made the Western Conference semifinals in 2023 has been totally transformed, not just in terms of personnel; but in tactical vision as well.
In both seasons, SAFC exemplified a low-possession style of play that valued high-percentage opportunities in transition; in both seasons they had the lowest average possession in the entire Championship. This year, things are different, as they currently have the highest average possession in the league as they aim to control the game in a different manner.
It’s been a work in progress; Alen Marcina’s side have a deserved reputation for physicality, and it remains to be seen how well they can adapt to this more possession-based style of play.
It’s fair to say that San Antonio poses the biggest test for the Latics in the young season. While the results have not quite been there for them, its defense currently ranks among the best in the league and its attack — led by LA Galaxy youth product Jorge Hernandez (three assists), and former Birmingham Legion, New England Revolution and USMNT forward Juan Agudelo (one goal, one assist) — is more than holding its own in the early going. A result on Saturday for Hartford will be a key statement of intent, as it then heads on the road for two challenging conference matchups with Louisville City and Charleston Battery.