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Matchday Report: Cardona’s Late Strike Lifts Athletic Past Loudoun

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 06/19/21, 9:58PM EDT

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Puerto Rico international’s stoppage-time goal earns hosts 2-1 victory at Dillon Stadium

HARTFORD, Conn. – Nicolas Cardona scored the winner in the fifth minute of second half stoppage time as Hartford Athletic took a 2-1 victory against Loudoun United FC on Saturday night at Dillon Stadium.

Aiming to rebound from its first loss of the season, Hartford got out to a quick start and almost took the lead in the third minute as Danny Barrera delivered a cross from the right to the back post for a close-range header by Preston Tabort Etaka that was brilliantly saved at point-blank range by Loudoun’s Jermaine Fordah. The hosts took the lead three minutes later, however, as a long clearance off an attacking United free kick was misplayed near the halfway line and sent Juan Carlos Obregon Jr. away on a counterattack that saw his shot deflect off a covering defender and loop over a helpless Fordah.

The game settled down as both teams looked to control the tempo, but Tabort Etaka went close in the 24th minute as he drove forward into the left side of the penalty area and fired a low shot from a narrow angle that Fordah denied. Both teams then had half-chances in the build-up to halftime as Hartford remained on top, but eight minutes into the second half the hosts went close to a second as Younes Boudadi lifted a pass into the left side of the penalty area for El Salvador international Walmer Martinez, whose shot forced a good save from Fordah.

Loudoun threatened to level three minutes later as a quick move in transition saw Jovanny Bolivar send a pass into the right side of the penalty area that Kairou Amoustapha fired just outside the near post and into the side netting. The visitors went even closer just past the hour-mark as a knock-down header by Samson Sergi forced a good save by Athletic goalkeeper Jeff Caldwell before Bolivar’s chance on the rebound was blocked behind by Tulu.

The hosts regained some control and almost got a spectacular insurance goal by Christian Gomez in the 66th minute as the ball came to him 35 yards from goal after a corner kick, allowing him space to fire a curling effort that Fordah tipped over the crossbar. Loudoun got back on level terms with 12 minutes to go, however as Tulu handled in the penalty area for Hartford allowing Bolivar to shoot low into the right corner from the spot.

Both teams sought a winner late as Loudoun had a pair of shots blocked by the Athletic defense, while Obregon went close to his second of the night for the hosts with a looping header that just went wide of the right post from the left side of the six-yard area after a cross from the right by Boudadi with six minutes to go. The game entered a lightning delay with three minutes to go as the game remained in the balance, and almost immediately after the resumption Barrera nearly settled matters on a free kick 25 yards from goal that he rattled off the underside of the crossbar but that came out to safety.

Hartford pulled out a winner deep in second-half stoppage time, however, as Puerto Rico international Cardona scored his first goal for the club, firing home from the center of the penalty area after a low cross from the right by Boudadi was palmed out of his six-yard area by Fordah to the waiting defender, who lifted Hartford to its fourth win of the season.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Nicolas Cardona, Hartford Athletic – Brought on late in the game as a substitute, Cardona provided the telling moment for the hosts with his low finish that earned the Athletic a memorable late win.

Scoring Summary
HFD
– Juan Carlos Obregon Jr. 6’
LDN – Jovanny Bolivar (Penalty Kick) 78’
HFD – Nicolas Cardona 90+5’

Full Box Score

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