2025 Match Recap: Hartford Athletic //, Sacramento Republic FC //

//

Ok so since we just saw this team I won't go too in-depth with where they are at the moment. Since the Jageremeister Cup final, Hartford travelled down the road to play a midweek match against Oakland. And in that match, they posted another drubbing, getting a 3-1 result over the Roots. With that result, that extends their current hot streak to 12 games of the last 15, across all competitions, were wins for Hartford. They will look to clinch their berth in the playoffs with either a win or a draw in this matchup against the Republic. They could also clinch a berth with a loss and some help elsewhere in the league.

The Republic were looking to dish out an instant serving of revenge to Hartford. Having lost the USL Cup final last week 0-1, the Republic looked to return to form in this final stretch of the season and build some momentum into the postseason. They didn't have a midweek match like Hartford so they had the rest advanage as they travelled to Hartford. A win in this game would clinch a home-field playoff match for the Republic. If the Republic drew in this one, they could still clinch home field advantage if they get some help from El Paso.

Coach Brendan Burke made this selection:

Coach Neill Collins had this setup:

Coach Collins made a couple of changes to the lineup from the squad that lost to Hartford. Danny Vitiello returned to goal. Dominik Wanner has taken one of the backline spots in place of Rayan Djedje. Blake Willey got the start in the midfield alongside Nick Ross, replacing Luis Felipe. And the front line is completely changed. If you remember, the Republic only got one shot on target against Hartford in the cup final, so Collins will hope to see more productivity with this setup. The starting frontline consisted of Lewis Jamieson, Cristian Parano, and Sebastian Herrera.

Both teams were finding chances early to start this match. The first shot on target came form Lewis Jamieson after Dominik Wanner set him up in the middle of the field. Jamieson took his chance from within the Hartford box but was blocked by Antony Siaha. Other chances during this period came from Dominik Wanner, Michel Benitez, and Cristian Parano, but weren't troubling to Siaha in net.

And Hartford found the opener in the 19th minute. A beautiful long ball from Marlon Hairston was played into the Republic box from the midfield. Sebastian Anderson took it down from the air and kept control of the ball to get some touches before shooting it past Danny Vitiello and into the net.

Sacramento were pushing in the 29th minute. Cristian Parano played a through ball in to Jack Gurr making the run down the flank. He turned the corner and got a shot on the Hartford goal but it was turned away by Antony Siaha. Sebastian Herrera picked up the rebound and fired two shots, one of which went off the post. Dominik Wanner got the next chance but his shot was put over the bar.

Hartford got a second goal in the 39th minute. Athletic were building up play down the left. Michee Ngalina won possession from a long ball played down the flank and passed it to Kyle Edwards to get a quick combination passing sequence off. Ngalina continued his run and received the ball back from Edwards to get a chance against Danny Vitiello and his shot got past the keeper to double the Hartford advantage.

Sacramento got a goal right before the halftime whistle. A cross from Dominik Wanner flew to the back post and it was Jack Gurr making the late run into the box. He was the first to the ball and shot it straight from the air and past Antony Siaha and into the back of the net.

At halftime, Sacramento was at a deficit. The Republic defense had two critical points of failure where Hartford capitalized on and converted into goals. The Hartford attack were brilliant on those two passing sequences to open up the Republic defense and get some clear opportunities at the Republic net. In terms of Sacramento's attack, they were statistically faring better when looking back to last week's matchup between these two sides. They were going into the half with five shots on the Hartford net, after only managing to get one shot in the last match. There were some sparks of creativity coming from the Republic attack and were able to apply consistent pressure on the Hartford backline. But the Republic's defense would need to tighten up if the visitors wanted to get a result out of this one.

And Sacramento evened the match early in the 50th minute. Cristian Parano was drawing all the attention in the midfield. And that left Dominik Wanner to make a run down the flank and to receive Parano's through ball. Wanner took the ball and fired a strong shot past Antony Siaha and to level the match for the Republic.

Key Takeaways:

Sacramento Republic FC: / goals, // shots, / shot on target, //% possession, / corners, / offsides, / yellow card, / red card.

Hartford Athletic: / goals, // shots, / shot on target, //% possession, / corners, / offsides, / yellow card, / red card.

Republic FC Lineup: Danny Vitiello, Dominik Wanner, Freddy Kleeman, Lee Desmond, Jack Gurr, Michel Benitez, Nick Ross, Blake Willey, Lewis Jamieson, Sebastian Herrera, Cristian Parano

Republic FC Bench: Jared Mazzola, Cody Baker, Ryan Spaulding, AJ Edwards, Justin Portillo, Luis Felipe, Khori Bennett

What were your thoughts on the match? Sound off in the comments below!

Follow me on Bluesky (@allisquail.bsky.social) for live match coverage and more!

Check out the stats from this match here!

(Photo thanks to Sacramento Republic FC)