HARTFORD, Conn. – Hartford Athletic returns to action at Dillon Stadium on Saturday night as it faces the New York Red Bulls II for the second time this season, with the visitors coming off a narrow defeat in midweek action. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

@HFDAthletic (2-0-1, 7pts) saw its most recent scheduled contest against Real Monarchs SLC last Saturday night postponed, but the side has remained in the top three in the Atlantic Division since it claimed a late 1-1 draw against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC on May 15 in its last contest. Luka Prpa scored the winner for the hosts in their home opener at Dillon Stadium as Danny Barrera picked up his second assist of the season, which moved the veteran playmaker to 34 in the Championship for his career. Hartford claimed a 3-2 victory when it squared off with the Red Bulls II at MSU Soccer Park in its opening game of the season for its fifth consecutive victory in the series between the clubs, a run it will be hoping to continue in front of its home fans.

@NYRBII (1-4-2, 5pts) was unable to halt the run of the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Wednesday night in its most recent outing as the side’s late pressure was unable to produce a goal in a 1-0 defeat at MSU Soccer Park. New York has continued to be one of the more enterprising attacking teams in the league this season, however, but needs to sharpen up its finishing. The Red Bulls II currently are in the lower half of the league in shot conversion rate at 12 percent through its first seven games, and with others above it in the standings having played fewer contests in the early going finding three points on Saturday night would be a good boost to the club’s playoff chances as it reached the end of the first quarter of its season.

FiveThirtyEight.com Match Predictor: Hartford Athletic 50%, New York Red Bulls II 24%, Draw 26%

Most Recent Lineups

Hartford Athletic (4-3-3): Jeff Caldwell; Alex Lara, Walid Yacoubou, Thomas Janjigian, Gabriel Torres; Danny Barrera, Conor McGlynn, Arthur Rogers; Preston Tabort Etaka, Juan Carlos Obregon Jr., Bradford Jamieson IV

New York Red Bulls II (4-3-3): AJ Marcucci; Joe Zalinsky, Mandela Egbo, Emir Tombul, John Tolkin; Michael Knapp, Daniel Edelman, Jake LaCava; Tom Barlow, Wikelman Carmona, Roald Mitchell

Discipline

Hartford Athletic – None

New York Red Bulls II – None