Hartford Drop Physical Game 3-1 to SAFC
Hartford Drop Physical Game 3-1 to SAFC
Second half own-goal, penalty, the difference as the Latics fall at home
Hartford went toe-to-toe with 2022 USL Championship Champions San Antonio FC in the first half but came undone in the second 45 with a Joey Akpunonu own-goal and a Luis Solignac penalty the difference as the Latics dropped their second consecutive game in all competitions.
The home team got off on the wrong foot as a quick transitional opportunity resulted in space for Lucas Silva on the left-hand side. A dangerous cross found forward Machop Chol, who snuck in front of defender Thomas Vancaeyezeele to head the visitors in front in the seventh minute.
SAFC continued to generate dangerous opportunities in the attacking third and hit the post as well, looking on the front foot through the first 20 minutes of the game. Defensively, they gave little chance for Hartford’s attackers to get into space, fouling quickly to prevent the game from opening up.
It was not all one-way traffic, however, and Marcus Epps was finally able to get free in the 27th minute to bring the score level. Michee Ngalina played an excellent ball from inside his own half that put Epps into space and the winger finished confidently for his first Hartford goal. Epps nearly returned the favor a few moments later when his cross was just out of the reach of a sprawling Ngalina.
Despite a few more opportunities at either end, neither team was able to find another breakthrough and the sides headed down the tunnel level. Hartford was forced to make a substitution at halftime as midfielder Jay Chapman came off with a knock and was replaced by Joe Schmidt.
The second forty-five minutes were as physical as the first as San Antonio lived up to their reputation as an uncompromising team. Increasing winds affected the game as well, making clearances difficult and putting defenders in an awkward spot as they tried to judge the flight of the ball. This may have affected the next goal - which went to the visitors in the 78th minute - when Joey Akpunonu could only head a cross into his own net.
Hartford did not have much of a response after this, and a few substitutions could not affect the game in a positive manner before SAFC sealed things in the 85th minute. Joe Farrell was penalized for bringing down Cameron Lacey in the box following another quick transition and Luis Solignac stepped up to the spot and tucked the penalty past Paul Walters to put the game out of reach.
The Latics now go on the road for two tough games, first traveling to take on nine-time Eastern Conference finalists Louisville City and then a matchup with defending Eastern Conference Champions Charleston Battery.