Hartford Athletic Veteran Danny Barrera "on the Fringe of Starting Games" After Impressing in Second Appearance
“From what I’ve seen, he’s been one of the best players in the past three or four weeks and he’s right on the fringe of starting games." -Brendan Burke
Although a late winner sent Hartford Athletic home empty-handed from a trip out west to Albuquerque last weekend, the performance in the club’s 1-0 loss to New Mexico United was far from their worst of the season.
One of the positives from the performance, according to Hartford Head Coach Brendan Burke, was the reintroduction of Danny Barrera to the field for the second time in 2024. In a 45-minute shift after coming on as a halftime substitute, the 34-year-old veteran imposed a calming and creative presence in the midfield, showcasing his ability to slow down the play and create chances. In total, the midfielder logged two crosses, one shot, and an interception in the defeat.
“Danny brings a wealth of experience,” Hartford defender Jordan Scarlett said. “Every now and then he whispers things to me that I definitely miss…and when he came in on Saturday, you could see the game calmed down a little bit. He’s a guy we could give the ball [to and] he could buy a foul, he could definitely calm it down, he can beat two or three guys, settle it down, move it and give us confidence. He’s been training really, really well and getting fitter and fitter.”
Prior to Saturday’s loss, Barrera’s only other action came in a 17-minute substitute appearance in Hartford’s 4-1 loss at Indy Eleven on May 18. Although Hartford were more than sightly shorthanded with World Cup qualifiers in full flow — Deshane Beckford, Emmanuel Samadia, Triston Hodge, and Kyle Edwards all out on international duty — Barrera was due for minutes anyway, according to Burke. His introduction as halftime was one that was earned as the five-year Hartford regular’s fitness had been progressing through the first half of the season.
“At his age, he’s growing into the season,” Burke said, “From what I’ve seen, he’s been one of the best players in the past three or four weeks and he’s right on the fringe of starting games. And that’s awesome, to have a guy like that with such a positive attitude and a great history with the club, he’s a good ambassador for the club, I’ve been really happy to see him grow into the team.”
With Burke hinting at “big changes” coming to the lineup on Saturday vs. Pittsburgh in a move he said he felt was necessary to boost the mentality of the group following recent results, Barrera’s increased inclusion on the field feels more and more imminent.
For the 34-year-old veteran, who is the all-time club leader with 135 appearances, 15 goals and 35 assists as the only remaining player from their inaugural season in 2019, his role as both a mentor and positive locker room presence now may extend on to the field as the USL Championship season approaches the midway point.
“Coming in and not knowing where my role was gonna be can be difficult, but if anything I would tell younger guys that patience is part of this game,” Barrera said. “You can’t get impatient in this game, you can’t get too excited when things are going great, and you can’t get too down when things aren’t going your way. I think I’ve been patient and just waiting for my shot.”
Looking to bounce back from a tough loss in Albuquerque over the weekend, Barrera and the rest of the squad will return home to Trinity Health Stadium on Saturday to face Pittsburgh RIverhounds FC. Kickoff from Hartford is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN+ and WTNH MyTV9.