Match Preview: NYRB II to Host Local Rival Hartford Athletic in Midweek Clash

New York Red Bulls II vs. Hartford Athletic

2022 USL Championship Season Match 27

MSU Soccer Park – Montclair, NJ

Wednesday, August 31 – 7:00 p.m. ET

ESPN+

#NYvHFD

All-Time Series: Hartford leads 7-3-1

At New York: Hartford leads 3-2-0

HARRISON, N.J. (August 31, 2022) – New York Red Bulls II (3-19-4, 13 points) will host Hartford Athletic (6-15-5, 23 points) on Wednesday, August 31. Kickoff at MSU Soccer Park is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET with coverage on ESPN+.

The match will be the 12th all-time meeting between New York and Hartford, with Hartford holding a 7-3-1 advantage in the all-time series. The clubs met earlier this season on May 14, a match that Hartford claimed in second half stoppage time, 3-2. New York defeated Hartford, 2-0, in the last meeting between the clubs on September 4, 2021.

Red Bulls II will look to bounce back on a quick turnaround after falling to Birmingham Legion FC, 3-1, on Sunday, August 28. Jordan Adebayo-Smith made his 50th career USL Championship appearance in the match and scored New York’s goal on a penalty kick.

Hartford enters Wednesday with victories in two of its last three matches. They defeated FC Tulsa in their last match, 2-1, on Wednesday, August 24. Joel Johnson leads the club with four goals on the season, with Ariel Martínez, Juan Carlos Obregón Jr., and Prince Saydee all having three. The match marks the second of three-straight on the road for Hartford, who will travel to face LA Galaxy II on Monday, September 5.

Red Bulls Academy midfielder Erick Ruiz made his first professional start on August 28 against Birmingham. He is the first Academy outfield player to log the full 90 minutes in their first professional start since Matthew Acosta during the 2021 season. Six Academy players have started matches this season for Red Bulls II, with the average age of the group being 16 years old.

New York sits 14th in the Eastern Conference, while Hartford ranks 10th.

Following the match, New York will travel to face the Charleston Battery on Saturday, September 3. Kickoff at Patriots Point is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET with coverage available on ESPN+.