On July 18, 2018, the USL announced that Hartford, Connecticut would have a USL Championship team, beginning play in 2019.[3] A few months later on September 5, Jimmy Nielsen was named the first head coach for the club.[4] In December 2018, Wojciech Wójcik, Jose Angulo and Alex Dixon were announced as the first signings in club history.[5]
Early struggles
2019
Hartford Athletic's first game in club history was a 2–0 loss to Atlanta United 2.[6] The club proceeded to lose its next seven games, scoring just four goals. However, Hartford picked up their first point in their inaugural home game, a 1–1 draw in front of 11,346 fans at Rentschler Field. The first competitive victory in club history came in the U.S. Open Cup, a 2–1 win over New York Cosmos B.[7] The club finished the 2019 season on a three match unbeaten run, putting them at 17th in the Eastern Conference.
2020
In the COVID-19 affected 2020 season, Hartford finished atop Group F, and hosted St. Louis FC in the first round of the playoffs. However, a late goal from St. Louis eliminated Hartford in their first playoff game.[8][9]
2021
Hartford regressed in 2021, finishing 5th in the Eastern Conference and missed the playoffs by six points.[10]
2023 was the worst season in Hartford Athletic's short history, as the club finish dead last in both the Eastern Conference and league as a whole, as they picked up just 18 points, 23 behind the playoff positions.[12]
Brendan Burke era
2024
On December 12, 2023, Brendan Burke was announced as the new head coach and general manager.[13] The offseason saw a large overhaul of the squad, with 23 new signings before the season, including former Sporting CP goalkeeper Renan Ribeiro and 2017 MLS Cup winner Jay Chapman. Hartford began the 2024 season with back-to-back wins, something they hadn't achieved since September 2022.[14] However, a run of poor form between April and July saw the club pick up just nine points in 15 matches and slip down the table. In mid-summer though, a goalless draw vs. Phoenix Rising on July 26 began a great run for Hartford, as they lost just one of their next 11 matches (a 3–0 loss away at rivals Rhode Island FC). With two matches left in the season, Hartford essentially controlled their own destiny, as two wins would've gotten them into the playoffs. However, a 2–2 draw at Tampa Bay Rowdies and a 3–2 loss at Orange County saw Hartford's season come to an end, as they ultimately finished four points out of the playoffs. At the end of the season, it was announced that Danny Barrera, who had been with the club since its inaugural season in 2019, would not return to the club after the expiration of his contract.[15]
The club plays on the grounds of Trinity Health Stadium, with a capacity of 5,500.[16] The 1935 stadium was renovated and reopened on July 13, 2019, despite the fact the stadium was not completely finished.[17] Lights were completed and first used for the stadium's first night game on September 14, 2019 (Hartford Athletic vs. Louisville City FC).[18]
2024 saw the addition of VIP suites in the south end of the stadium, adding approximately 200 seats.[19]
During the construction of Trinity Health Stadium, Athletic played home games at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. They played their first home game in front of more than 11,000 supporters.[20]
Hartford Athletic's official colors are green and blue, chosen because of their strong association with the sports teams of Hartford.[22][23] The team's crest and colors were first unveiled in a video on December 6, 2018.[24]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
The supporters for Hartford Athletic are split between five groups based on their geographical location within the state of Connecticut:
The 19th Regiment – The first supporters group founded in early 2019 shortly after the announcement of the club. Today, it represents supporters based in the Greater Hartford area and Northern Connecticut.
Mad Hat Massive – Independent supporters group representing members from Fairfield and Litchfield counties, with their home pub hosting the official supporters away days watch parties at TK's American Cafe in Danbury where the Jell-O Shot tradition began. Members of the Independent Supporters’ Council.
The Boonies – Members of the Mad Hat Massive in the greater Torrington area.
Elm City Casuals – Independent supporters based out of the Greater New Haven area. They’re independent. They like pizza and riding trains. Members of the Independent Supporters’ Council.
East Side Rising – Supporters group founded in 2020 to represent Eastern Connecticut, nicknamed "A Family of Fans."
Raza Brava – Latino-centric supporters group representing the greater Hartford area.
Each group is separately managed but they stand and chant together on the east end of Trinity Health Stadium for home matches.
Starting in the 2022 season, the 19th Regiment, Mad Hat Massive and the Elm City Casuals will unite as one group, called The Bonanza
Among the notable chants used is the "Brass Bonanza," a melody sung by the supporters groups after scoring a goal, which was also used for the former NHL team in the city, the Hartford Whalers, for the same circumstances. The groups also use Bob Marley's classic "Three Little Birds" for the beginning of matches and when the opposing team scores. [28]
Rivals
In the early years, the club didn't have much of a direct rival, with New York Red Bulls II being the only nearby club. However with the addition of Rhode Island FC in 2024, the two sides developed a natural regional rivalry, being the only two USL Championship clubs in New England. In 2024, the two sides played to a 1–1 draw in Hartford, before Rhode Island won 3–0 in the reverse fixture.[29][30]
Hartford Athletic have never played Hartford City FC, a local NPSL club that has played at Trinity Health Stadium, in a competitive match.
On June 8, 2021, Hartford Athletic announced they will be fielding a women's side to compete in the new USL W League beginning in 2022.[34] The team, which plays under the AC Connecticut name, has never made the playoffs.
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