Final Home Game of 2022, Hartford Hosts Oakland
October 7, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Hartford Athletic News Release
Hartford Athletic wrap up the 2022 home season with the first ever matchup with Oakland Roots SC this Saturday. The Green and Blue can finish the season on four straight home wins with a victory.
Date: Saturday, October 8th, 2022
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Location: Trinity Health Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut
Game Day Promotion: $2 Beer, $1 Hot Dog, Fan Appreciation Night
Local TV: WCTX MyTV9
Streaming: ESPN+ or hartfordathletic.com/watch
HARTFORD ATHLETIC (10-16-6) vs. OAKLAND ROOTS SC (10-9-13)
LAST TIME OUT
Hartford Athletic are coming off their best offensive performance of the season last Saturday, as they lit up the scoreboard for a 6-3 victory over Charleston. Ariel Martínez recorded his second brace of the season, and Andre Lewis completed the first ever hat trick in club history. Juan Carlos Obregón got on the scoresheet and recorded an assist as well, his fifth goal and first helper on the year. It was not a completely dominant performance for the home side, however. Down 3-0 at the half, the Battery scored back to back goals just two minutes a part to start the second 45 minutes. Hartford answered quickly in the 57th minute to make the score 4-2, but Charleston would cut the lead to one for a second time in the 79th minute after an Augustine Williams goal. A converted penalty kick from Andre Lewis secured his hat trick in the 87th minute, and Martínez’s second goal just before stoppage time gave Hartford a 6-3 cushion.
THE CENTURY MARK FOR THE CAPTAIN
Team captain Danny Barrera is set to make his 100th appearance with Hartford Athletic this Saturday. The most tenured player in club history, the 32 year old will reach the milestone in his fourth season with the Green and Blue. Over those seasons, Barrera has accumulated the most goals (15), assists (29), and games played (97) in club history. In addition, Barrera has a chance to achieve his most minutes played in his eighth USL Championship season. He currently sits at 2,562 minutes played on the year, and needs to play 94 more minutes to break his personal record of 2,655. A captain for three consecutive seasons, Danny Barrera is nothing short of the face of Hartford Athletic.
36 AND FULL OF (PLEASANT) SURPRISES
Ariel Martínez has been magnificent for Hartford in the second half of the season. The 36 year old has scored seven goals in Hartford’s last nine games, and leads the team with eight total goals. After his brace last Saturday, Tab Ramos gave his thoughts on Martínez: “Ariel keeps surprising me every week. His energy never ends. He’s a super smart player, makes everyone around him better, and he had another great game tonight.” Martínez earned Team of the Week honors last week and in Week 28.
FROM THE TRAINING GROUND
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Hartford Athletic, Andre Lewis MF #77
Lewis has found a secure spot in the starting eleven under Tab Ramos, starting in all four matches since the gaffer took over. In that time, the Jamaican has played 350 out of 360 possible minutes but is coming off his most productive match this season. In a high-powered 6-3 over Charleston Battery, Lewis recorded the first hat trick in Hartford history and also added an assist. The midfielder paced the Athletic attack and led in nearly all offensive categories, including goals (3), shots on target (4), big chances (4), and touches in the opposition box (6). Lewis also got involved defensively by tallying two interceptions and winning possession six times. He will look to build off this exemplary showing against the playoff-hungry Oakland Roots side.
Óttar Magnús Karlsson, FW #22
Karlsson stands out as the Roots’ most dangerous attacking threat this season. The Venezia FC loanee has the third-highest goal total in the USL this season with 18. However, he has only dished out two assists this year, cementing his role as a goal-scorer rather than a distributor. The forward has started in 27/28 matches and has worn the captain’s armband in the last three. Karlsson has goal contributions in his last four matches, with goals coming in the last three in a row. In Oakland’s most recent match against Birmingham, the Icelander led the team in shots on target and touches in the opponent’s box. Karlsson will look to continue his fantastic form as the Roots look to extend their unbeaten streak to five.
ABOUT THE OPPONENT
Oakland Roots SC are coming off a 2-1 victory over Birmingham last Saturday. An early goal from Óttar Magnús Karlsson tied the game 1-1 in the 24th minute, and Juan Azócar provided a late game winner in the 84th minute. Currently sitting at seventh place in the very tight western conference table, Oakland needs to win both of their final two games to control their own destiny and maintain their playoff spot. They’ve hit a strong run of form at the right time, as they’re 3-1-1 in their last five games. The Roots are led by Óttar Magnús Karlsson offensively, who has 18 goals and sits at third place in the chase for the 2022 USL Championship Golden Boot.
INJURY REPORT
Hartford Athletic:
Out: Peter-Lee Vassell (Foot)
Oakland Roots:
Questionable: M Johnsen (Lower Body)
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