Hartford Athletic

On July 18, 2018, the USL announced that Hartford, Connecticut would have a USL Championship team, beginning play in 2019. A few months later on September 5, Jimmy Nielsen was named the first head coach for the club. In December 2018, Wojciech Wójcik, Jose Angulo and Alex Dixon were announced as the first signings in club history.

Early struggles

2019

Hartford Athletic's first game in club history was a 2–0 loss to Atlanta United 2. 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. 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.

2021

Hartford regressed in 2021, finishing 5th in the Eastern Conference and missed the playoffs by six points.

2022

Hartford finished 10th in the Eastern Conference in 2022, and hosted MLS club New York Red Bulls in the U.S. Open Cup, losing 2–1.

2023

2023 was the worst season in Hartford Athletic's short history, as the club finish dead last…