Hartford Athletic to Join U.S. Open Cup in 2025 Tournament

Hartford Athletic is set to launch their 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup journey on Tuesday night, welcoming the New York Shockers from the NPSL for the first round. Following a lackluster start to their USL Championship season in Lexington, the Latics are eager to rebound and avoid another early exit from the Cup, a fate they faced last year.

Hartford’s Open Cup History

Over the years, Hartford has experienced a mix of successes and setbacks in the U.S. Open Cup. Their inaugural appearance in 2019 saw them triumph over New York Cosmos B in the second round, only to be eliminated by Memphis 901FC in the next match. The tournament was paused in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, but upon its return in 2022, Hartford managed to progress past amateur team Oyster Bay United before being ousted by MLS side New York Red Bulls.

In 2023, they achieved a solid victory against Lansdowne Yonkers but were subsequently knocked out by the New England Revolution. However, last year was particularly disappointing, as they faced a gut-wrenching 3-2 defeat in extra time against NYCFC II. This time around, they are determined to make a more impactful run in 2025.

Team News: Who’s Available and Who’s Not?

Hartford will miss winger Deshane Beckford, who is serving a one-game suspension due to a red card received in last year’s Cup match. Defender Adrián Diz Pe is also uncertain to play after picking up an injury in the season opener against Lexington. On a positive note, the club bolstered their offense by signing forward Spencer Gordon on Monday, though they still have a relatively small squad compared to other teams in their league.

Introducing the Opponent: New York Shockers

Since their entry into the NPSL’s North Atlantic Conference in 2021, the New York Shockers have established themselves as a formidable competitor. They have qualified for the playoffs each year, making it to the Regional Semifinals in 2022 and advancing to the Regional Finals in 2024. Unfortunately, both times they faced elimination at the hands of FC Motown, a team that clinched the NPSL championship in 2022 and was the runner-up the following year.

In contrast to Hartford, the Shockers have yet to kick off their 2025 season. Their inaugural league match is scheduled for May 4, where they will host Hartford City FC at Trinity Health Stadium.

Anticipations for Tuesday’s Match

Considering the strength of Hartford’s lineup against their amateur rivals, a commanding performance and a decisive victory are anticipated. With the sting of last year’s early playoff exit still lingering and a lackluster showing in Lexington to overcome, anything short of a resounding win could spark worries about the club’s direction for the remainder of the season.