HARTFORD, Conn. – Luka Prpa scored a second half stoppage-time equalizer for Hartford Athletic as the hosts maintained their undefeated start to the season after a 1-1 draw with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at Dillon Stadium on Saturday night.

The sides exchanged chances in the opening 10 minutes, but the first dangerous effort on goal came in the 15th minute as Pittsburgh’s Alex Dixon fired a shot that appeared to knuckle in the air before Hartford goalkeeper Jeff Caldwell palmed it down and gathered at the second attempt.

Clear chances were few as the first half went on, but the Hounds found the lead three minutes before the halftime break as a looping ball from the back was controlled by a good headed pass from Thomas Williamson, who delivered the ball into the path of Russell Cicerone for a measured finish into the top-right corner of the net and a halftime lead.

The Athletic tried to get on the front foot early in the second half as both Prpa and Bradford Jamieson IV had shots, but with 11 minutes to go the hosts were handed a man-advantage as the Hounds’ Kenardo Forbes was sent off. That proved key as Hartford was able to start building pressure in the final stages, and in second-half stoppage time the hosts pulled level as a free kick by Danny Barrera from the right was flicked on and in at the near post by Prpa into the left corner of the net to grab a point and deny the Hounds their first win of 2021.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Gabriel Torres, Hartford Athletic – Torres put in a strong shift defensively for the hosts, winning 12 of 15 duels and 3 of 3 tackles while also making five interceptions and eight recoveries.

Scoring Summary
PIT – Russell Cicerone (Thomas Williamson) 42’
HFD – Luka Prpa (Danny Barrera) 90+1’

Full Box Score