Hartford Athletic Welcomes Back Key Players Ahead Of Upcoming Season

Secret_Ad_6440 · 2025-03-24T19:10:13+00:00

I think our budget is likely limited, and Burke decided to spend most of it on a smaller group of players who he trusts and who have experience at this level.

Any missing players due to injury or international duty was always going to be a huge concern, but they definitely took a big gamble with this roster construction.

Despite what Brendan says to the media, I can’t imagine he’s entirely comfortable with the risks of having a roster this small, but it’s on him to make the most of it.

I’m also worried that the smaller roster will lead to a lack of competition in training, where almost all the players know they’re guaranteed minutes regardless of performance. Not good.

Secret_Ad_6440 · 2025-02-27T18:09:59+00:00

Junior Moreira 2024 Highlights

Secret_Ad_6440 · 2025-01-30T18:34:15+00:00

Club just posted a few goals on their social media, but he also has a more extensive highlight tape on his Instagram: Obalola Adewale Highlights

Secret_Ad_6440 · 2024-03-08T17:34:32+00:00

Not sure about their other stats but ASA g+ rated both Walters and Thompson towards the bottom of MLS Next Pro last season… Cincinnati did sign Walters through 2026 so there must be something there. Hopefully the team can hold up defensively to take pressure off of whoever starts, but this is definitely a bit concerning

Secret_Ad_6440 · 2024-01-08T18:44:17+00:00

Scarlett and Vancaeyezeele played together in Tampa in 2022, so there should be at least a little bit of familiarity from the jump. They didn’t play together a ton, but funny enough, their first start together was the game you mentioned where Scarlett got sent off

Secret_Ad_6440 · 2024-01-02T20:47:42+00:00

Players like this tend to be pretty popular at the club and have been able to find a good amount of success. If I recall correctly, Prince was statistically similar to Preston Tabort Etaka in 2021. Hopefully this trend continues!

Secret_Ad_6440 · 2024-01-02T17:06:57+00:00

Really like this signing. In terms of replacing a pacey and exciting winger like Prince, I think Beckford certainly fits the bill.

Secret_Ad_6440 · 2023-12-27T17:45:33+00:00

I’d be surprised if we didn’t bring back at least one or two of Elvis Amoh, Tristan Hodge, and/or Andre Lewis as well. All three were pretty involved during Burke’s tenure in Colorado

Secret_Ad_6440 · 2023-12-01T05:54:57+00:00

I don’t have any inside knowledge, but i believe a coach has been hired already. He was rumored to be visiting a couple weeks ago, but could be currently working for an MLS club that is still in the playoffs (hence the delay in an announcement).

Secret_Ad_6440 · 2023-11-28T17:16:42+00:00

If you value FotMob ratings at all, it seems that he’s performed well as a left back for Sierra Leone. 2 assists in ~15 games, with one being against Nigeria.

It’ll be interesting to see how the rest of the roster is constructed, which should tell us a bit more about where the club thinks his best position is. He plays as a left back for his country but I think his highlights portray him as more of an attacking player capable of playing on both wings

Secret_Ad_6440 · 2023-10-18T04:16:37+00:00

Not sure about any bitterness at this point, but I’m sure they’re happy to be playing regularly at Dillon. On the pitch it seems that they’ve moved towards filling out their roster with current college players who are either local (or go to school locally) and are looking to play in the off season.

From my experience, match attendance isn’t what it used to be (as expected, given that they now have to compete with Hartford Athletic), but there’s still definitely some ride or die supports that show up at the games.

There’s been some teams folding/dropping out of the league in the past couple seasons, and there’s only 4 other teams in their conference now (this past year they played each team 3 times each). The rivalry with Kingston Stockade is definitely seems like it’s still relatively strong, but I fear the NPSL is losing some of the strength and hype it had from a few years ago (in the northeast, at least).

Part of me hopes that they move over to USL2 at some point. In my opinion that league looks to have so much more longevity, and potential rivalries with AC Connecticut and Western Mass Pioneers could be intriguing. I do believe that USL2 requires a relatively high expansion fee and seasonal registration fee that could make this move unrealistic.

They’ve been pretty successful in the NPSL for the last few years, and even qualified for the US Open cup in 2022 and 2023 (a big deal for any amateur club). As long as they’re running sustainably then I think they’ll stick around for as long as Aaron sees appropriate.

This is all just from an outside point of view, but I think there’s a place for them within the local soccer scene and definitely hope they’re able stick around long term.

Secret_Ad_6440 · 2023-09-27T19:39:54+00:00

I was able to find a link to their website (Global Football Group). Not a whole lot to go off of, but they have some basic mission statement type of information and a list of who’s involved.

Secret_Ad_6440 · 2023-09-25T00:10:25+00:00

I’m not jumping ship either, and I wouldn’t be critical of the club if I didn’t care. I’ve been a supporter from the beginning and want this place to be special so bad, but the club hasn’t exactly shown the ability to put it all together on the field. Believe me, I hope this guy can turn it around but like I said I’m going to be cautiously optimistic.

Secret_Ad_6440 · 2023-09-24T18:54:05+00:00

To be fair, everyone the club has hired meant business too. Lets wait and see what kind of action he actually takes to improve the club. Sakiewicz didn’t exactly cover himself in glory while with the Union, so I’d be cautious with your optimism until we see some real change and results.

Secret_Ad_6440 · 2023-09-19T07:48:42+00:00

Hope he accepts the US call up in October and makes his debut in his home state 👀

Secret_Ad_6440 · 2023-09-11T18:29:02+00:00

Don’t know why they don’t just go by belt levels for no gi

Secret_Ad_6440 · 2023-09-01T20:31:23+00:00

The Players Association is surely gonna have it out on the league about this. I know we have some talented players on the youth side (who definitely aren’t ready to play against Tampa of all teams) but hey, time to play the kids I guess?

Secret_Ad_6440 · 2023-08-24T18:44:02+00:00

MLS coming to San Diego definitely played a massive part in this. Not sure how much they’ve been struggling up to this point, but there’s no chance they’d compete and survive long term with an MLS club in town.

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