Conor McGlynn Gets "Fresh Start" With Rhode Island FC
“Yeah, the project of starting a club basically almost from scratch kind of intrigued me, kind of felt like a fresh start for me to you know, play my position and just enjoy football again."
After spending five seasons with Hartford Athletic — making over 100 appearances — Conor McGlynn joined Rhode Island FC ahead of its debut season. A new club means a fresh start for the midfielder.
While harboring no ill will towards his former club, the dreadful 2023 season clearly took a toll on McGlynn. Hartford was the worst team in the USL Championship and fired head coach Tab Ramos before the season even ended.
Still, McGlynn developed as a player and a person during his stint in Hartford. He tallied 10 goals and recorded four assists for the Connecticut club.
The lessons learned from his time in Green and Blue will stick with the 25-year-old for the rest of his career.
“I'd say definitely a lot of ups and downs because while I developed a lot as a person and a player there, the results weren't always there,” McGlynn told The Blazing Musket. So it was definitely pretty tough for me there but I've had some great moments, great coaches as well. [I] Definitely have to give credit to my teammates because coming in as a rookie, it was definitely tough to adjust to the speed of the USL and I had a lot of good teammates and coaches that helped me there.”
McGlynn stated that towards the end of the 2023 season, Rhode Island FC head coach Khano Smith reached out to McGlynn. Along with looking for a fresh start, McGlynn also stated that playing out of a position at Hartford made joining RIFC an easy decision. Due to Hartford’s struggles defensively, McGlynn was forced to play center back.
“Yeah, the project of starting a club basically almost from scratch kind of intrigued me, kind of felt like a fresh start for me to you know, play my position and just enjoy football again,” the midfielder said. “So I think this was just a great opportunity for me.”
McGlynn isn’t the only Hartford player to jump across state lines to play for RIFC. Forward Prince Saydee will still get to call McGlynn a teammate albeit wearing a different uniform. Having a connection with Saydee on and off the field has made adjusting to a new club that much easier for the 25-year-old.
“Yeah, it's amazing,” McGynn stated. “Prince has obviously been my teammate for two years, three years coming this year. So we already had that connection on the field and off the field. So seeing him in our locker room and him being able to help his team in a way that I know he can. I think it’s amazing to have him here.”
But along with the fans of Hartford Athletic and Rhode Island FC, McGlynn will likely have June 1 circled on his calendar as Rhode Island FC heads to Hartford.
The midfielder expects it to be an amazing homecoming even though he will be looking to get three against his old club.
“It’ll be an amazing homecoming,” McGlynn said. “Obviously, I'm representing RIFC so we're going for that three points and nothing else. Obviously after the game, I know some of those guys and the staff there and I'll show my appreciation but on the field obviously we got to take care of business.”