Late PK Downs Hartford, 2022 Season Ends With 2-1 Final in Louisville
The Green and Blue closed the 2022 season in Louisville tonight, where a second half equalizer was not enough to pick up a point against the top team in the east.
The match started off slow, as both teams traded possession and nonthreatening chances. Hartford held 57% of possession and 46 passes in Louisville’s half through the first 15 minutes. The hosts totaled seven touches in Athletic’s box compared to the visitor’s three touches in the opponent box.
Shortly following a fourth Hartford corner in the 16th minute, appeals for a Louisville handball arose as Wilson Harris attempted to clear danger. While the ball appeared to hit Harris’ forearm, the referee quickly waved off any protests. On the counter-attack, Enoch Mushagalusa found himself one on one with Yannik Oettl. The German was able to handle Mushagalusa’s powerful shot to end the whirlwind of events.
Louisville totaled six shots and 26 final third entries through the first 33 minutes, forcing three saves from Yannik Oettl. Their pressure finally paid off in the 45th minute, however. Ray Serrano’s cross was headed by Tulu, but the deflection wasn’t powerful enough to leave the Hartford box. Amadou Dia cushioned the falling ball to DelPiccolo, who rifled it past Oettl on the half-volley to put the Boys in Purple up 1-0.
Halftime arrived shortly after, bringing much-needed respite for Hartford. They faced 37 final third entries and 11 shots while conceding 52% of possession. The Green and Blue emerged for the second half with a tall task ahead of them; Louisville entered the match 11-0-0 when leading at the half.
Athletic’s first chance of the second half came in the 68th minute through the recently rejuvenated Ariel Martínez. Joel Johnson played a lofted pass to Martinez, who brought the ball down under pressure from defender Josh Wynder. Martínez drove toward goal, but was put off by Wynder’s presence and sent a low, soft shot that was easily collected by Daniel Faundez. Empowered by the chance, Hartford pushed forward and equalized in the 74th minute, thanks to none other than Ariel Martínez. Younes Boudadi beat the newly-introduced Oscar Jimenez on the right side and fired a low cross into the six-yard box. The ball, deflected by a sliding Wynder, was beautifully touched home by Martínez for his ninth goal this season. Suddenly, Hartford was given a lifeline in the last 15 minutes of their season.
Hartford’s end-of-game woes continued into stoppage time. With a minute left in the match, Louisville brought the ball into Athletic’s box. Napo Matsoso danced around defenders and was brought down by Luka Prpa’s outstretched leg to win a penalty. From the spot, Cameron Lancaster confidently struck the ball past the frozen Oettl to secure all three points for the home side.
Lou City was allowed 15 touches in Hartford’s box, resulting in six shots from inside the area. Crucially, Louisville attempted 19 crosses while winning six corners, compared to Hartford’s five crosses and one corner.
The Green and Blue end the season 3-3-0 in their last six matches and with a 10-18-6 season total record.
FAST STATS
Shots (On-Target): Hartford 7 (4) Louisville 20 (7)
Corners: Hartford 10 Louisville 7
Fouls: Hartford 17 Louisville 11
Offsides: Hartford 7 Louisville 0
Possession: Hartford 46.1% Louisville 53.9%
Passing Accuracy: Hartford 73.4% Louisville 79.4%
Saves: Hartford 5 Louisville 4
SCORING SUMMARY:
45’- Paolo DelPiccolo (Dia)
74’ – Ariel Martinez
90+4’ – Cameron Lancaster
DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY:
34′ – Tulu (Yellow)
37′ – Amadou Dia (Yellow)
43’ – Luka Prpa (Yellow)
72’ – Wesley Charpie (Yellow)
80’ – Conor McGlynn (Yellow)
90+1’ – Sean Totsch (Yellow)
HARTFORD ATHLETIC STARTING LINEUP
13 (GK) Yannik Oettl, 30 (DF) Joel Johnson, 23 (DF) Modou Jadama, 14 (DF) Ash Apollon, 4 (DF) Tulu (Lapert, 45’); 2 (DF) Younes Boudadi, 11 (MF) Luka Prpa, 10 (MF) Danny Barrera (Lewis, 45’); 9 (FW) Juan Carlos Obregón Jr. (McGlynn, 63’); 7 (FW) Prince Saydee (Dally, 63’); 6 (FW) Ariel Martínez
LOUISVILLE CITY FC STARTING LINEUP
18 (GK) Daniel Faundez, 66 (DF) Josh Wynder, 6 (DF) Wesley Charpie (Jimenez, 74’); 4 (DF) Sean Totsch, 3 (DF) Amadou Dia (E. Wynder, 45’); 36 (MF) Paolo DelPiccolo, 15 (MF) Manny Perez, 12 (MF) Tyler Gibson (Moguel, 71’); 77 (FW) Enoch Mushagalusa, 21 (FW) Ray Serrano (Matsoso, 62’); 14 (FW) Wilson Harris (Lancaster, 62’)
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