In their third meeting of the season, Hartford City FC traveled to Reese Stadium to take on a physical and motivated New Haven United side under the lights. With each team familiar with the other’s style and tendencies, the match was set up to be an intense affair — and it did not disappoint. Despite Hartford City enjoying a bright start and controlling much of the early possession, a few key moments turned the tide in New Haven’s favor, as the home side earned a 3-1 victory in front of an energized crowd.
Hartford City came out with purpose, displaying fluid movement in midfield and looking dangerous in the attacking third. In the 10th minute, winger Daimon Pollard sparked the first major chance of the night, slicing past his defender down the right flank before picking out midfielder Pearse O’Brien near the edge of the box. O’Brien curled a beautiful left-footed effort toward goal, only to be denied by the post in a moment that could have set the tone early for the visitors.
Just four minutes later, Hartford nearly struck again. This time it was O’Brien playing provider, driving a low ball across the face of goal that narrowly missed the outstretched boot of Christian Dionne at the back post. The early signs were promising for HCFC, who looked sharp and composed.
But against the run of play in the 17th minute, New Haven struck first. Awarded a free kick from nearly 40 yards out, a speculative knuckling shot defied the odds — and the hands of goalkeeper Nate DiLoreto — as it swerved into the side netting, giving the hosts a 1-0 lead. The goal seemed to shift momentum, and Hartford City found themselves on their back foot.
In the 30th minute, disaster struck again for the visitors. A costly turnover deep in the defensive third gave New Haven a golden opportunity, and a deflected strike doubled their lead to 2-0. It was a cruel blow for Hartford, who had dominated much of the early play but found themselves chasing the game before halftime.
Hartford came out aggressively to start the second half. Within five minutes, Pollard and O’Brien again combined, this time with O’Brien sending a first-time strike narrowly wide of the far post. Just moments later, an errant New Haven pass handed Theo Harris a 1v1 chance with the keeper, but he was unable to capitalize, shooting straight at the goalkeeper.
In the 62nd minute, Colin Dugan slipped a pass through to Noah Silverman, who found himself clear on goal, but once again the New Haven goalkeeper came up big, parrying the attempt. The breakthrough finally came in the 69th minute. Silverman returned the favor, finding Matteo Azambuja at the penalty spot. With calm precision, Azambuja turned and rifled the ball past the keeper, cutting the deficit to 2-1 and breathing life back into Hartford’s comeback hopes.
Hartford pressed forward relentlessly in the final 20 minutes. In the 82nd minute, Michael Gouvin delivered a pinpoint pass into the area, where Silverman was waiting. His first-time effort seemed destined for the net, but the New Haven keeper made a superb reflex save to tip it over the bar.
Despite Hartford’s momentum, it was New Haven who delivered the final blow. In the 88th minute, a quick counterattack caught Hartford City short at the back, and the hosts finished clinically to seal a 3-1 victory and all three points.
The result marks New Haven’s second win over Hartford City this season and underscores the importance of capitalizing on key moments. Hartford City will take the positives from their attacking sequences but will surely reflect on missed opportunities and defensive lapses that cost them dearly.
Looking ahead, HCFC will regroup for a friendly against Vale SC on June 7th before returning to league action with a highly anticipated Father’s Day home matchup against the New York Shockers on June 15, 2025. With playoff aspirations still alive, Hartford will look to bounce back quickly and sharpen their edge in both boxes.
