2025 Hartford Athletic season
| 2025 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Head coach | Brendan Burke | ||
| Stadium | Trinity Health Stadium | ||
| USL Championship | Conference: 5th | ||
| U.S. Open Cup | Second round | ||
| USL Cup | Champions | ||
| USLC Playoffs | Conference Quarter-Finals | ||
|
| |||
The 2025 Hartford Athletic season was the club's seventh season of existence and their seventh in the USL Championship, the second tier of American soccer.[1]
Hartford Athletic also played in the U.S. Open Cup for the fifth time in club history and the USL Cup for the first time, defeating Sacramento Republic FC in the final to win their first competitive trophy in the latter.[2][3]
Transfers
In
| Pos | Player | Transferred from | Fee | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FW | Jonathan Jiménez | NYCFC II | Free transfer | December 4, 2024 | [4] |
| MF | Samuel Careaga | Club Atlético Lanús | Loan | January 6, 2025 | [5] |
| DF | Adrián Diz | Indy Eleven | Free transfer | January 27, 2025 | [6] |
| FW | Adewale Obalola | FK Ekranas | Free transfer | January 30, 2025 | [7] |
| FW | Sebastian Anderson | Colorado Rapids | Free transfer | February 6, 2025 | [8] |
| DF | TJ Presthus | Yale Bulldogs | Free transfer | February 12, 2025 | [9] |
| GK | Antony Siaha | Indy Eleven | Free transfer | February 25, 2025 | [10] |
| MF | Junior Moreira | Cancún F.C. | Undisclosed | February 26, 2025 | [11] |
| FW | Jack Panayotou | New England Revolution | Loan | April 25, 2025 | [12] |
| MF | Baboucarr Njie | Free agent | Signing | July 29, 2025 | [13] |
| MF | Owen Presthus | Columbus Crew | Loan | August 15, 2025 | [14] |
| GK | John Berner | Free agent | Signing | August 27, 2025 | [15] |
Out
| Pos | Player | Transferred To | Fee | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MF | Anderson Asiedu | Free Agent | End of contract | December 4, 2024 | [16] |
| MF | Danny Barrera | Free Agent | End of contract | December 4, 2024 | [16] |
| FW | Tyler Freeman | Carolina Core FC | Loan return | December 4, 2024 | [16] |
| GK | Greg Monroe | Free Agent | End of contract | December 4, 2024 | [16] |
| MF | Joe Schmidt | Retired | End of contract | December 4, 2024 | [16] |
| MF | Thomas Vancaeyezeele | Tampa Bay Rowdies | End of contract | December 4, 2024 | [16] |
| DF | Triston Hodge | North Carolina | End of contract | December 4, 2024 | [16] |
| DF | Younes Boudadi | Las Vegas Lights | End of contract | December 4, 2024 | [16] |
| FW | Marcus Epps | Lexington SC | Free transfer | December 12, 2024 | [17] |
| MF | Jay Chapman | Detroit City FC | Transfer | February 3, 2025 | [18] |
| GK | Renan Ribeiro | Free Agent | Mutual termination | February 7, 2025 | [19] |
| FW | Mamadou Dieng | Minnesota United | $300,000 | August 22, 2025 | [20][21] |
| FW | Deshane Beckford | Westchester SC | Loan | August 29, 2025 | [22] |
Competitions
Friendlies
| February 3 | New York Red Bulls | 2–0 | Hartford Athletic | Whippany, New Jersey |
| Gjengaar Sofo |
Report | Stadium: Red Bulls Training Facility |
| February 15 | New England Revolution | 2–0 | Hartford Athletic | Foxborough, Massachusetts |
| 12:30 pm ET | Report | Stadium: Gillette Stadium |
| February 19 | Hartford Athletic | Cancelled | Rhode Island FC | Windsor, Connecticut |
| Report | Stadium: Day Hill Dome | |||
| Note: No score was reported | ||||
| February 28 | Hartford Athletic | 2–1 | New York Red Bulls II | Hartford, Connecticut |
| 11' 22' |
Report | 83' Trialist | Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium |
| March 1 | Hartford Athletic | 0–4 | Portland Hearts of Pine | Hartford, Connecticut |
| Report | Trialist Varela Jones-Riley Wright |
Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium |
USL Championship
Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | North Carolina FC | 30 | 13 | 11 | 6 | 40 | 39 | +1 | 45 | Playoffs |
| 4 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (C) | 30 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 32 | 28 | +4 | 44[a] | |
| 5 | Hartford Athletic | 30 | 13 | 12 | 5 | 48 | 36 | +12 | 44[a] | |
| 6 | Loudoun United FC | 30 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 45 | 48 | −3 | 42 | |
| 7 | Rhode Island FC | 30 | 10 | 12 | 8 | 29 | 28 | +1 | 38 |
Source: USL Championship Standings
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head points; 2) head-to-head goal differential; 3) points-per-game within conference; 4) total wins; 5) total goal differential; 6) total goals scored; 7) points earned against top four Conference finishers; 8) disciplinary points; 9) coin toss or drawing of lots
(C) Champions
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) head-to-head points; 2) head-to-head goal differential; 3) points-per-game within conference; 4) total wins; 5) total goal differential; 6) total goals scored; 7) points earned against top four Conference finishers; 8) disciplinary points; 9) coin toss or drawing of lots
(C) Champions
Notes:
Matches
| March 8 1 | Lexington SC | 2–0 | Hartford Athletic | Lexington, Kentucky |
| 7:00 pm ET | Hafferty 10' Goldthorp 80' |
Report | Samadia 90+3' | Stadium: Lexington SC Stadium Attendance: 5,025 Referee: Nabil Bensalah |
| March 22 2 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC | 1–0 | Hartford Athletic | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| 7:00 pm ET | Griffin 76' | Report | Stadium: Highmark Stadium Attendance: 4,026 Referee: Brandon Stevis |
| March 29 3 | Hartford Athletic | 1–2 | El Paso Locomotive FC | Hartford, Connecticut |
| 2:00 pm ET | Dieng 29' | Report | 10' Avila 86' Ackwei |
Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium Attendance: 4,400 Referee: Atahan Yaya |
| April 5 4 | Loudoun United FC | 2–0 | Hartford Athletic | Leesburg, Virginia |
| Report | Stadium: Segra Field Attendance: 1,517 Referee: Corbyn May |
| April 19 6 | Hartford Athletic | 1–0 | Birmingham Legion FC | Hartford, Connecticut |
| Beckford 71' | Report | Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium Attendance: 4,034 Referee: Elvis Osmanovic |
| May 3 7 | Charleston Battery | 4-2 | Hartford Athletic | Mount Pleasant, South Carolina |
| 17:00 EDT (UTC-04:00) | Jennings 24' (p)
David Torres 38' 64' Houssou 56' |
Report | Scarlett 5' Ngalina 62' (p) | Stadium: Patriots Point Soccer Complex Attendance: 4,288 |
| May 10 8 | Hartford Athletic | 0-0 | Detroit City FC | Hartford, Connecticut |
| Report | Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium Attendance: 5,304 |
| May 17 9 | Hartford Athletic | 1-1 | Louisville City FC | Hartford, Connecticut |
| Edwards 88' | Report | Goodrum 39' | Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium Attendance: 4,749 |
| May 28 10 | Indy Eleven | 4-4 | Hartford Athletic | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| 19:00 EDT (UTC-04:00) | Ofeimu 13'
Williams 45+2', 90+3' Blake 46' |
Report | Edwards 26' (p), 32'
Scarlett 42' Dieng 46' |
Stadium: IU Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium Attendance: 9,056 Referee: Joshua Encarnación |
| June 7 11 | Hartford Athletic | 0-1 | North Carolina FC | Hartford, Connecticut |
| Farrell 64' 68' | Report | Dolabella 90'+4' | Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium Attendance: 4,320 Referee: Edson Carvajal |
| June 14 12 | Hartford Athletic | 1–2 | Charleston Battery | Hartford, Connecticut |
|
Report |
|
Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium Attendance: 4,610 Referee: Matthew Corrigan |
| June 20 13 | Hartford Athletic | 3–0 | Loudoun United FC | Hartford, Connecticut |
| 7:30 PM EDT | Report | Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium Attendance: 5,500 Referee: Elijio Arreguin |
| July 12 14 | Detroit City FC | 1–2 | Hartford Athletic | Hamtramck, Michigan |
| Report | Stadium: Keyworth Stadium Attendance: 6,529 Referee: Trevor Wiseman |
| July 16 15 | Hartford Athletic | 0–1 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | Hartford, Connecticut |
| Report | Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium Attendance: 5,500 |
| July 19 16 | Rhode Island FC | 0–0 | Hartford Athletic | Pawtucket, Rhode Island |
| Report | Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium Attendance: 10,619 |
| July 30 17 | Hartford Athletic | 4–0 | New Mexico United | Hartford, Connecticut |
| Report | Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium Attendance: 4,151 Referee: Elton García |
| August 6 18 | Hartford Athletic | 2–0 | Miami FC | Hartford, Connecticut |
|
Report | Akinyode 70' | Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium Attendance: 5,365 Referee: Thomas Snyder |
| August 9 19 | Birmingham Legion FC | 1–4 | Hartford Athletic | Birmingham, Alabama |
| Martínez 90'+5' | Report | Stadium: Protective Stadium Attendance: 5,007 Referee: Servando Berna Rico |
| August 16 20 | Hartford Athletic | 1–1 | FC Tulsa | Hartford, Connecticut |
| Edwards 46' | Report | Farrell 45'+7' (o.g.) | Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium Referee: Abdou Ndiaye |
| August 23 21 | Hartford Athletic | 3−0 | Rhode Island FC | Hartford, Connecticut |
| 7:00 pm | Careaga 5'
Edwards 73' Presthus 89' |
Report | Sanchez | Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium Attendance: 5,500 Referee: Elvis Osmanovic |
| August 30 22 | North Carolina FC | 2–3 | Hartford Athletic | Cary, North Carolina |
| 7:30 PM | Report | Stadium: WakeMed Soccer Park Referee: Amin Hadzic |
| September 3 5 | Hartford Athletic | 0–2 | Indy Eleven | Hartford, Connecticut |
| 7:30 PM | Report | Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium Attendance: 4,966 Referee: Matthew Thompson | ||
| Note: Match was originally scheduled for April 12 but was postponed due to weather and field conditions.[23] | ||||
| September 6 23 | Miami FC | 0–1 | Hartford Athletic | Miami, Florida |
| 7:30 PM | Report | Panayotou 54' | Stadium: Pitbull Stadium Attendance: 1,202 Referee: Muhammad Hassan |
| September 13 24 | Monterey Bay FC | 0–4 | Hartford Athletic | Seaside, California |
| Report | Stadium: Cardinale Stadium Attendance: 3,132 Referee: Ekaterina Koroleva |
| September 20 25 | Hartford Athletic | 1-2 | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC | Hartford, Connecticut |
| Diz Pe 11' | Report |
|
Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium | |
| Note: The game was abandoned during stoppage time after allegedly racially offensive language from a Riverhounds player to Marlon Hairston[24] | ||||
| September 27 26 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks | 0–2 | Hartford Athletic | Colorado Springs, Colorado |
| Report |
|
Stadium: Weidner Field Attendance: 7,006 Referee: Brad Jensen |
| October 7 27 | Oakland Roots SC | 1–3 | Hartford Athletic | Oakland, California |
| 10:00 PM | Wilson 31' | Report | Stadium: Oakland Coliseum Attendance: 5,716 Referee: Alex Billeter | |
| Note: Match was originally scheduled for October but was postponed due Hartford's participation in the 2025 USL Cup final. | ||||
| October 11 28 | Hartford Athletic | 3–2 | Sacramento Republic FC | Hartford, Connecticut |
| 7:00 PM | Report |
|
Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium Attendance: 4,558 Referee: Brandon Stevis |
| October 18 29 | Tampa Bay Rowdies | 3−2 | Hartford Athletic | St. Petersburg, Florida |
| 7:30 PM EDT | Report |
|
Stadium: Al Lang Stadium Attendance: 4,527 Referee: Elton García |
| October 25 30 | Louisville City FC | 1–0 | Hartford Athletic | Louisville, Kentucky |
| 7:30 PM | Goodrum 39' | Report | Stadium: Lynn Family Stadium Attendance: 9,527 Referee: Atahan Yaya |
USL Championship playoffs
As the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference, Hartford clinched a playoff position, being matched up away against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.[25] Playing away in Pittsburgh, Hartford Athletic's season came to an end, losing in a penalty shootout to the Riverhounds 4–2, following a scoreless match.[26]
| November 1, 2025 East | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC | 0–0 (a.e.t.) (4–2 p) | Hartford Athletic | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| 6:30 PM ET | Report | Stadium: Highmark Stadium Attendance: 4,932 Referee: Elijio Arreguin | ||
| Penalties | ||||
US Open Cup
| March 18 First round | Hartford Athletic | 3–0 | New York Shockers | Hartford, Connecticut |
| 6:30 p.m. EDT | Report | Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium Attendance: 2,287 Referee: Johnathan Luk |
| April 2 Second round | Portland Hearts of Pine | 1–1 (4–2 p) | Hartford Athletic | Lewiston, Maine |
| 6:30 pm ET | Report | Stadium: Franklin Athletic Complex Attendance: 3,002 Referee: Kyle Averill |
USL Cup
Table
| Pos | Lg | Team | Pld | W | PKW | PKL | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | USLC | Rhode Island FC | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 4 | +7 | 10 | Advance to knockout stage |
| 2 | USLC | Hartford Athletic | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 6 | +3 | 9 | Advance to knockout stage (wild card) |
| 3 | USLC | Detroit City FC | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 6 | +2 | 8 | |
| 4 | USL1 | Portland Hearts of Pine | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 10 | −3 | 5 | |
| 5 | USLC | Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | −1 | 4 | |
| 6 | USL1 | Westchester SC | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 11 | −8 | 0 |
Updated to match(es) played on July 26, 2025. Source: USL
Matches
Group stage
| April 26 1 | Hartford Athletic | 2–0 | Portland Hearts of Pine | Hartford, Connecticut |
| Panayotou 41, 65' Panayotou 72' |
Report | Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium Attendance: 3,878 Referee: Ricardo Montero |
| May 31 2 | Westchester SC | 2–3 | Hartford Athletic | Mount Vernon, New York |
| Report | Stadium: The Stadium at Memorial Field Attendance: 1,653 Referee: Drew Klemp |
| June 28 3 | Hartford Athletic | 2–2 (2–3 p) | Detroit City FC | Hartford, Connecticut |
| 7:00 PM EDT | Report |
|
Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium Attendance: 5,271 Referee: Rodrigo Albuquerque | |
| Penalties | ||||
| July 26 4 | Rhode Island FC | 2–2 (3–4 p) | Hartford Athletic | Pawtucket, Rhode Island |
| Report | Stadium: Centreville Bank Stadium |
Knockout stage
| August 20 Quarterfinals | San Antonio FC | 0–2 | Hartford Athletic | San Antonio, Texas |
| Report | Dieng 36' Hairston 58' |
Stadium: Toyota Field Attendance: 4,789 Referee: Natalie Simon |
| September 10 Semifinals | Hartford Athletic | 3–1 | Greenville Triumph SC | Hartford, Connecticut |
| Farrell 70' Hairston 85' Ngalina 90+3' |
Lee 74' | Stadium: Trinity Health Stadium Referee: Alyssa Pennington |
| October 4 Final | Sacramento Republic FC | 0–1 | Hartford Athletic | Sacramento, California |
| Careaga 51' | Stadium: Heart Health Park Attendance: 11,569 Referee: Matthew Corrigan |
References
- ^ "Our Story". www.hartfordathletic.com. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
- ^ "USL Expands Jägermeister Cup, Launches First Interleague Competition Created by a Domestic Soccer League". Hartford Athletic. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
- ^ "RECAP: Hartford Athletic Makes History Winning Their First-Ever USL Jägermeister Cup". Hartford Athletic. Retrieved October 6, 2025.
- ^ "Hartford Athletic Sign Forward Jonathan Jimenez Vargas". Hartford Athletic. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
- ^ "Hartford Athletic Acquire Midfielder Samuel Careaga on Loan From Lanús". Hartford Athletic. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
- ^ "Hartford Athletic Boost Back Line with Dynamic Defender Adrian Diz Pe". Hartford Athletic. Retrieved January 27, 2025.
- ^ "Adewale Obalola joins Hartford Athletic as the Newest Front-Line Addition". Hartford Athletic. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
- ^ "MLS Alum Sebastian Anderson joins Hartford Athletic". Hartford Athletic. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
- ^ "From New Haven to Hartford: TJ Presthus Joins the Green and Blue". Hartford Athletic. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
- ^ "Hartford Athletic Adds Proven USL Goalkeeper Antony Siaha". Hartford Athletic. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
- ^ "Midfielder Junior Moreira Signs with Hartford Athletic for 2025 Campaign". Hartford Athletic. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
- ^ "Hartford Athletic Acquire MLS Midfielder Jack Panayotou On Loan". Hartford Athletic. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
- ^ "Hartford Athletic Sign Defender Baboucarr Njie". Hartford Athletic. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
- ^ "Hartford Athletic Adds Midfielder Owen Presthus on Loan from Columbus Crew". Hartford Athletic. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
- ^ "Goalkeeper John Berner Joins Hartford Athletic". Hartford Athletic. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Hartford Athletic 2025 Roster Update". Hartford Athletic. Retrieved December 17, 2024.
- ^ "Marcus Epps Joins Lexington Sporting Club USL Championship Men's Team". Lexington Sporting Club. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
- ^ "Detroit City Football Club Signs Midfielder Jay Chapman from Hartford Athletic". Detroit City FC. Retrieved February 15, 2025.
- ^ "Hartford Athletic and Renan Ribeiro Mutually Terminate Contract". Hartford Athletic. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
- ^ MNUFC. "Minnesota United Signs Striker Mamadou Dieng from Hartford Athletic | Minnesota United FC". MNUFC. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
- ^ Scholes, Oliver. "Hartford Athletic in Advanced Talks to Sell Mamadou Dieng to Minnesota United". www.theblazingmusket.com. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
- ^ "Hartford Athletic Loan Deshane Beckford to Westchester SC". Hartford Athletic. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
- ^ "Home Match Against Indy Eleven Rescheduled to September 3rd". Hartford Athletic. April 23, 2025.
- ^ https://www.wtnh.com/sports/hartford-athletic/hartford-athletic-match-abandoned-by-players-staff-due-to-alleged-use-of-racially-offensive-language/
- ^ Dayton, Kels (October 26, 2025). "Hartford Athletic fall in regular-season finale, to go on road for playoff opener at Pittsburgh". Hartford Courant. Retrieved October 29, 2025.
- ^ Krysinsky, John (November 1, 2025). "Riverhounds survive cagey playoff tussle with Hartford in penalty kick shootout". Pittsburgh Soccer Now. Retrieved November 2, 2025.