First Time Matchup For Pair of Winless Teams
After a winless month of March, Orange County SC opens up April with a first-time visit to the Constitution State, when they take on Hartford Athletic.
At this point of Orange County’s campaign, it is hard to expect what side we will see this coming Saturday. While Orange County have looked much improved from last season, they have still yet to earn their first victory on the season.
In fact, Richard Chaplow’s side have not won a USL contest in 8 consecutive contests dating back to last season. Their opponent is Hartford Athletic, a respectable side who are looking to make the postseason for the first time since 2020.
THE OPPONENT - HARTFORD ATHLETIC
Hartford in their brief five-year history have been a very average side at best. They have only made one postseason appearance coming in 2020 and like Orange County, are looking for their first victory of 2023. The Athletic are coached by former USMNT midfielder Tab Ramos who took over midway through last season.
Hartford Athletic this season are 0-1-2 with a goal differential of -3. They opened up 2023 with a West Coast swing that saw them concede five against Monterey, draw even at Colorado Springs and lose at home to Birmingham Legion FC last week in a 0-1 effort. This is a team that is hungry for its first win and may look to Orange County as a great opportunity to earn it.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Prince Saydee is off to a good start to his 2023 campaign. In week 1 he netted two goals while also contributing an assist that saw him earn TOTW honors in week 1. The Liberian has become a USL veteran with one-year stints at both Phoenix Rising FC and Miami FC coming before making his move to the Constitution State.
Playing alongside the Hartford attack is another USL stalwart in Antoine Hoppenot. Hoppenot, after signing to Hartford, is off to a bit of a slow start statistically. The Frenchman has 39 career goals and will be looking for his first for his new club.
For the Boys in Orange, all eyes will be on the defense. After having conceded in each of their three first games, the Orange County backline must be near perfect in order to earn 3 points. This means players like Andrew Fox and Markus Nakkim must lead the way as the CBs. Chaplow has played the same backline for the first three games and will be a point of debate as to whether or not this will be the same for Orange County’s first away game of the season.
THE MATCHUP
This will be the first matchup all-time between Orange County and Hartford. Obviously this means that there is not much information to take from but one stat that OC should not be reminded of is their away form. In 2022, Orange County won only 2 of their 17 away fixtures. If OC wants to have any say come postseason, then they must get results away from Southern California.
WHAT TO KNOW
Game - @ Hartford Athletic (USL Championship)
When - April 1, 11:00 AM PST
Where - Trinity Health Stadium (Hartford, CT)
OCSC Form - DDL
HRT Form - LDL
All-Time Matchup - 0-0-0
TV - EPSN+