Local Talent Highlights Attacking Threat: New Signings to Watch for Hartford in 2023
Local Talent Highlights Attacking Threat: New Signings to Watch for Hartford in 2023
In part two of a three-part series, here are three more offensive signings to keep an eye on for Hartford in 2023.
As the countdown to March 11th continues for Tab Ramos and Hartford Athletic, a number of new offseason additions have continued to strengthen the squad as they continue their preseason campaign in Bradenton, Florida.
Rounding out my analysis of the attacking acquisitions in part two of a three-part series, here are the three more new players to watch for Hartford in 2023:
Jonathan Filipe
A product of the New York Red Bulls Academy, Jonathan Filipe is the fourth player in five seasons to sign a first-team contract out of open tryouts, which took place in December.
A regular starter in his first professional season with New York Red Bulls II last season, the 23-year-old Danbury, Connecticut native totaled over 2,000 minutes with 21 starts in 31 appearances. His only two goals of the season came against Hartford in a 3-3 draw in August.
A former Fairfield University starter, the forward led the team with 10 goals in his senior year, registering a goal involvement in 11 of his 18 starts. His performances, which included two game-winning goals, six assists, and a hat-trick, would earn him a spot on the All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) second team in 2021. Filipe played in 59 matches and registered almost 4,600 minutes over the course of his college career, recording 19 goals and nine assists in four seasons.
Filipe would also feature for the NYRB U-23 team in his time with the academy, scoring four goals and assisting two in their 2021 USL League Two campaign.
Joel Quist
Another player that impressed in December’s open tryouts, Joel Quist is the second player this season to sign a professional contract out of the tryouts, and the fifth in five seasons for Hartford. Along with Filipe, Quist was one of four players from open tryouts that were invited to the club’s Invitational Combine in early January.
The Old Bridge, New Jersey native with Hartford following a two-year stint with USL League Two’s FA Euro New York, where he would see 479 minutes of action in seven appearances, recording one assist.
Following his time in USL League Two, the 23-year-old forward spent a brief period in his home state playing for Jackson Lions FC of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) in 2022, recording seven goals and two assists in 10 games.
Quist also enjoyed a successful collegiate career, starting 24 games in 64 appearances for Georgian Court University, scoring 12 goals and assisting eight in almost 2,900 minutes from 2017-2021.
Beverly Makangila
One of three players to join Hartford from the Colorado Springs Switchbacks in 2023, Beverly Makangila recorded one assist for the Switchbacks last season, playing 1,544 minutes in 27 appearances with the club.
The Congolese midfielder’s professional career began in 2020 with Congolese club FC Saint-Éloi Lupopo. He would then move abroad to Czech club MFK Vyškov later that year, before making his debut in the American soccer system on loan to San Diego Loyal, appearing six times for the club in 2020, before being permanently acquired from MFK Vyškov by Colorado in 2021.
In two seasons with the Switchbacks, the midfielder made 52 appearances. He is yet to register his first professional goal.