HARTFORD, Conn. – Hartford Athletic broke its recent winless streak as a first-half goal by Juan Carlos Obregon Jr. paved the way to a 2-0 victory against Real Monarchs SLC at Dillon Stadium on Wednesday night that saw the hosts rejoin the battle for fourth place in the USL Championship’s Atlantic Division.

In need of a win to boost their playoff chances, Hartford began on the front foot. The hosts produced an early chance from a corner kick on the left by Danny Barrera in the ninth minute that was headed wide of the left post by Puerto Rico international Nicolas Cardona, but the Athletic went closer five minutes later when Preston Tabort Etaka poked possession away from a Real defender as the visitors tried to build out of the back into the feet of Obregon on the left. The Honduran U-23 international spun quickly into the penalty area, but had his shot parried away by Monarchs goalkeeper Jeff Dewsnup.

The Monarchs’ first good arrived in the 21st minute as Charlie Wehan moved into the left side of the penalty area and backheeled a pass for Malik Johnson, setting up a shot that was saved by Hartford’s Jeff Caldwell. The visitors maintained possession, and on a second chance Bret Halsey shot just over the top-left corner of the net from 20 yards. The Athletic took the lead on the half-hour mark, however, as Danny Barrera received a pass from Justin Haak centrally outside the penalty area and cleverly slipped a pass through to Obregon, who fired into the right side of the net.

After notching an assist in the first half, Barrera almost added a goal of his own nine minutes into the second half as after a corner kick from the left the ball came to the veteran playmaker for a snap shot that went just wide of the right post from 15 yards. Tabort Etaka also fired just wide of the left post a couple of minutes later from the top of the penalty area for the hosts after a good crossfield pass by Haak, while Derek Dodson had a shot saved by Dewsnup as Hartford looked to add a second goal late on.

That insurance tally arrived with six minutes remaining as off a free kick from the right side, the near-post delivery by Luka Prpa directed toward Obregon deflected into the net off Monarchs defender Danny Flores, and that proved enough to send the Athletic to a morale-boosting victory.

USLChampionship.com Man of the Match

Juan Carlos Obregon Jr., Hartford Athletic – Obregon challenged the Monarchs’ defense consistently, scoring the opening goal and playing a role in Hartford’s second while finishing the night with two shots on target.

Scoring Summary
HFD – Juan Carlos Obregon Jr. (Danny Barrera) 30’
HFD – Danny Flores (Own Goal) 84’

Full Box Score