Hartford Athletic - 2024

[Waquoit]

Opening Day today and I'm looking forward to a good season. Then again, I felt the same way last year and they came in DFL. But last year (to paraphrase Rare Earth) I put my faith in Tab Ramos and Tab Ramos let me down. This year it's another re-set but this one might take. HA has a new CEO with good player connections and a new coach who is well-repected around the league (despite the fact he's a BCU alum). Pre-season pundits have them fighting for a play-off spot. I'm hoping for better. We'll score, I'm not sure about the keeping. Like they always say, "if you have five goalkeepers, you really have no goalkeepers."

One new bit of spiciness this year, Rhody is finally fielding a team after threatening to do so for years. One of their first bits of business was poaching two of Hartford's most popular players. Not just that, they are throwing a ton of cash around for players including the league's top goal scorer. I honestly think part of this is PC-UConn envy. And it was just announced that there will be a team playing at Coney Island next season. That will make a nice Northeast contingent. Before, the closest away games were at Pitt and Loudoun, VA. And my offer still holds, if I see you at a game, I'll buy you a beer.

ADD: They won their 1st game! On the road at +350!

 

[Blue Devils]

Cool story bro

 

[TheDoggPound]

I liked what I saw out of em. Excited for the rest of the season.

Ps everyone just put the loser above my post on ignore.

 

[Waquoit]

Bad enough the weather looks awful for the home opener on Saturday, HA is losing one of their best players to International duty. I've got a poncho but cold rain really puts a crimp on ticket sales.

 

[Waquoit]

Brutal conditions but Athletic won their home opener. They're now 2-0 to start the season. They only had 4 wins all last season!

 

[Palatine]

Joe D on the call. Definitely a miserable day. If you want t see the goal, it happens about 2:30 into the video. They were a lot of chances.

Google Search

www.google.com

 

[kibblesnbits]

If they converted a few more of their frequent chances I’d say the first half might be the best I’ve seen in franchise history. They controlled play, particularly on the outside, and had Birmingham just falling back in a shell. The 2nd half they became a bit too conservative as they played with a lead, but unlike previous years where a porous defense would have coughed up late goals, they held steady to get a well deserved win.

 

[Waquoit]

Athletic to win is the betting favorite tomorrow. I don't think I saw that all last year. But the big news tomorrow for the USL is they are playing on network TV for the first time. It's Louisville v Indy on CBS at 4pm. Set your DVR's (or equivalent)!

 

[ZooCougar]

Stop these people.

This name is so bad.

 

[KryHavok]

Stop these people.

This name is so bad.

I can't stand that MLS and lower clubs are trying so desperately to emulate the naming schemes of foreign clubs. It's a joke...like what the hell is wrong with great names like Colorado Rapids, New England Revolution, and the Portland Timbers? (MetroStars name change was good cuz damn their prior logo was @$$ ugly) The only pass I'll give is to DC United since the name is poetic given DC is the national capitol. The rest of the names are laughable...really, using the Spanish "Real" or copying "Inter" from Inter Milan...such a horrible wannabe copycat.

 

[kibblesnbits]

I can't stand that MLS and lower clubs are trying so desperately to emulate the naming schemes of foreign clubs. It's a joke...like what the hell is wrong with great names like Colorado Rapids, New England Revolution, and the Portland Timbers? (MetroStars name change was good cuz damn their prior logo was @$$ ugly) The only pass I'll give is to DC United since the name is poetic given DC is the national capitol. The rest of the names are laughable...really, using the Spanish "Real" or copying "Inter" from Inter Milan...such a horrible wannabe copycat.

I agree. We don't have to copy everything from the European leagues. That's especially true since nearly every one of those teams whose names we emulated also have a nickname that effectively serves as the equivalent of an American style team name (e.g. Arsenal is the Gunners, Chelsea is the Blues, etc.). When an English announcer talks about the Reds (i.e. Liverpool) it's just as well understood as when an American announcer uses the same name to talk about Cincinnati's baseball team. I knew MLS had jumped the shark with Real Salt Lake. Real Madrid has historical ties to the Spanish monarchy. What is royal about Salt Lake?

 

[Palatine]

I caught the end of this game live on TV when it popped up on the guide. Really nice crowd.

 

[Waquoit]

It was a perfect night for futbol. Too bad we just can't score.

 

[Palatine]

USL Championship 2024 - Attendance

USL Championship 2024 » Attendance » Home matches

www.worldfootball.net

 

[Waquoit]

USL Championship 2024 - Attendance

USL Championship 2024 » Attendance » Home matches

www.worldfootball.net

I have a bet with a Rhody guy that Hartford would draw better.

 

[Palatine]

HA had a nice crowd on Saturday night considering some of their crowd probably went to the UConn football game across the river. Goals at 1:32 an 4:44 on the highlight reel. You can see the crowd in the first few scenes.

 

[Waquoit]

Hartford is undefeated in their last 7. Still work to do for a playoff spot but at least there's hope.