HARTFORD, Conn. – Danny Barrera recorded a goal and three assists while Conor McGlynn scored from his own half as Hartford Athletic continue its undefeated start to the season with the biggest win in its history, a 7-0 victory against the New York Red Bulls II on Saturday night at Dillon Stadium.

Both sides threatened inside the opening 10 minutes as New York first saw Tom Barlow flick a header from near the penalty spot toward the right corner of the net that was saved by Hartford goalkeeper Jeff Caldwell. The hosts went closer a minute later off a free kick from the right by Barrera, whose delivery to the near post was met by Juan Carlos Obregon Jr. for a headed finish that hit the right post before being cleared behind.

The Red Bulls II hit the woodwork as well in the 15th minute as Wikelman Carmona fired a free kick from 30 yards toward the top-left corner of the net that rattled the crossbar, but on the ensuing counterattack the Athletic took the lead as Gabriel Torres surged down the left side and delivered a low cross for Obregon that the Honduras U-23 international tucked away from close range.

Facing his former club, Hartford’s Sebatian Elney tried to add a second in the 29th minute with a shot from a narrow angle on the right side of the penalty area that went over the crossbar. The Red Bulls II then threatened six minutes later as Carmona received a cross from the right by Barlow with space to shoot but had his effort charged down by Alex Lara. Carmona then hit the crossbar for a second time with a curling shot from 20 yards that came back off the crossbar.

Hartford quickly got on top in first-half stoppage time, though, with Barrera picking up assists on back-to-back goals 81 seconds apart. The first saw Hartford midfielder Arthur Rogers float a pass from 35 yards toward Barrera in the right side of the penalty area which the playmaker delivered first time back across the six-yard area for a tap-in by Elney. The second saw Barrera capitalize on a mis-hit clearance on the left that he struck first-time to the top of the six-yard area where Obregon was on hand to head home his second of the game.

Barrera added a goal to his two assists five minutes into the second half as Torres switched a pass from the left that found Barrera just inside the penalty area on the right, from where he cut onto his left foot and curled a shot to the far post that was just beyond the dive of Red Bulls II goalkeeper AJ Marcucci.

The Athletic then got the goal of the night – and a contender for Goal of the Year – from McGlynn, who after the ball had come free just inside Hartford’s half loaded up and launched a shot that sailed high into the night sky and over Marcucci, landing perfectly to find the back of the net. A sixth goal came soon after as a free kick by Barrera on the right was mishandled by Marcucci, allowing Preston Tabort Etaka to finish on the doorstep.

Barrera added to his standout night with a third assist with 19 minutes to go as he set up Tabort Etaka’s second of the game, delivering a corner kick from the right side that the Cameroon forward for a headed finish into the right side of the net to cap the performance from the hosts.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Danny Barrera, Hartford Athletic – Barrera notched his first three-assist haul in the Championship for his career and also added a stellar goal to lead Hartford on a historic night for the club.

Scoring Summary
HFD – Juan Carlos Obregon Jr. (Gabriel Torres) 15’
HFD – Sebastian Elney (Danny Barrera) 45+2’
HFD – Juan Carlos Obregon Jr. (Danny Barrera) 45+3’
HFD – Danny Barrera (Gabriel Torres) 50’
HFD – Conor McGlynn 59’
HFD – Preston Tabort Etaka 65’
HFD – Preston Tabort Etaka (Danny Barrera) 71’

Full Box Score