Hartford City Football Club delivered a dominant performance on Sunday afternoon, exacting revenge over New Haven United FC with a 3-1 victory at Trinity Health Stadium. After falling 2-1 earlier in the week, Hartford responded with a complete team effort built on smart possession and tactical discipline with moments of individual brilliance earning the win.
The tone was set early as Hartford City relentlessly probed New Haven’s defensive shape. In the 9th minute, striker Andrew Bilbie had the first look on goal, dragging a low effort wide from the edge of the box. Just two minutes later, Theo Harris burst forward on a counterattack following a soft penalty claim from New Haven, but shot directly at the keeper—an early sign of the danger he would continue to pose.
The breakthrough came in the 14th minute. A long free kick into Hartford’s half was cleared by Collin Martin, and the second ball was claimed by Nathan Becher, who laid it off to captain Mark Grant. Without hesitation, Grant delivered a perfectly weighted first-time pass into the feet of Theo Harris. Harris drove forward, unleashing a powerful strike from 30 yards out that beat the goalkeeper at the near post and nestled into the bottom corner.
Just minutes later, Harris again made the difference. In the 17th minute, he received a throw-in from Colin Goodhines inside the penalty area and was pulled down by the New Haven center back. The referee pointed to the spot. Parker Vasic stepped up and saw his initial penalty saved, but reacted quickly to slot home the rebound and double Hartford’s lead.
The Colts continued to create danger through patient buildup. In the 32nd minute, Bilbie played a clever pass to Goodhines, who beat his man on the right flank and squared across the box to Trevor Rau. Rau’s first-time finish was destined for goal before a heroic block on the line by a New Haven defender kept it out. New Haven’s only real moment of promise in the first half came in the 44th minute, with a speculative 25-yard strike that flew just over Nate DiLoreto’s bar.
New Haven came out sharper in the second half. In the 47th minute, Bilbie again came close with a powerful left-footed shot into the side netting. Four minutes later, Dren Drobruna’s well-struck volley was parried by DiLoreto, but Owen Bull pounced on the rebound to pull New Haven back to 2-1.
Hartford didn’t panic. They remained organized defensively while still creating key chances. In the 57th minute, Jacob Humienny whipped in a brilliant first-time cross to Harris, whose pressured finish trickled wide. DiLoreto came up big again in the 70th minute, saving a shot from a tight angle as New Haven pressed for an equalizer.
The decisive third goal came in the 73rd minute from a Mark Grant corner. His inswinger was met by a New Haven defender, whose attempted clearance deflected off Harris. In the resulting scramble, the ball was ultimately knocked into the net — possibly by a New Haven player — but the damage was done. Whether or not the ball had already crossed the line before the final touch, the goal sealed Hartford’s victory.
DiLoreto was called upon one more time in the 80th minute, diving to deny Lucas Almeida at the back post off a well-placed Drobruna corner. Hartford nearly added a fourth in the 84th when Daimon Pollard’s curling cross found substitute Troy Abbott, whose header rattled the crossbar.
In the closing stages, Hartford City saw the match out with maturity, ceding possession but remaining defensively compact and frustrating New Haven’s attempts to mount a late charge.
Hartford City’s win was a blueprint of team-first soccer – organized, patient, and opportunistic. With clinical finishing in the first half and professional game management in the second, this victory not only avenged an earlier defeat but also served as a clear signal of Hartford’s focus this season.
Next Match: Hartford hosts Long Island this Sunday at Trinity Health Stadium at 4PM. Tickets and other information can be found at Hartford City Football Club.
