Hartford Athletic - 2026

[Waquoit]

Your Hartford Athletic is halfway through their season-opening 4-game road trip with a respectable 4 points. Most seasons they start in a deep hole so I don't care if the points came against two of the weaker squads. One of the few USL analysts out there, at the end of tactical review, just wrote "For now, it’s notable just how connected and intentional Hartford looks from back to front – starting with the press, but in more ways than one." I like to hear that after my team's second game.

I make post this now because tonight (3/18/26) Athletic is playing a US Cup game on national TV. On UConn's favorite sports network CBSSN, of course. It's at 7pm EDT for those who want to see what the excitement is all about.

 

[Windham4th]

Didnt realize it was on CBSSN I am watching it on Paramount plus

 

[kibblesnbits]

Didnt realize it was on CBSSN I am watching it on Paramount plus

I turned it on expecting to see a game from Detroit. Who knew that FC Motown is a USL Two team from Newark? Athletic only played about 20% of its regular lineup.

 

[Waquoit]

I was very happy with the game, mainly the coaching. Burke didn't just play the subs, he played the subs for the subs. But he always had a starter back deep. Good to see TJ battling for game time have a strong game when he got a shot. That speaks to HA depth, which is never a given.

 

[Waquoit]

Of course Athletic drew Rhody for the next round of the US Cup. Soccer Nation can't get enough of "El Clamico".

 

[Windham4th]

With the MLS aligning with European soccer next year, do you know if USL will do the same?

Also. I am excited for the relegation setup USL is driving toward.

Hope MLS eventually falls in line, but I doubt the greedy owners will buy into it. Because that means more investment on their end.

 

[Waquoit]

Last I heard, there was no plans to do a winter schedule. Which is smart because these teams need tickets sales and nobody goes to the games when it’s too cold.

 

[Da_Aisijimo_Gou]

Flicked on the Wednesday game on ipad, fairly rubbish quality even compared with MLS. Quickly paid less attention while watching the First Four games. Was that typical USL, or just Hartford and the opponent’s quality? Or, preseason blah?

 

[Waquoit]

Flicked on the Wednesday game on ipad, fairly rubbish quality even compared with MLS. Quickly paid less attention while watching the First Four games. Was that typical USL, or just Hartford and the opponent’s quality? Or, preseason blah?

Not typical. It was a cup game and they were playing a team two divisions lower than them. I think they only had two starters in the lineup. They played some academy kids and the third string keeper.