Loudoun United improve but lose 4-1 to Hartford

Following their 3-1 defeat to Hartford Athletic on July 20 to restart their USL Championship season, Loudoun United found themselves in Connecticut once again Sunday night, with the chance to avenge their loss and gain ground on the teams above them in Group F.

Loudoun had some lineup changes from the last game, with Kairou Amoustapha making his American debut, while Ted Ku-DiPietro played at forward and Elvis Amoh played central midfield. While they started the game somewhat stronger, but nevertheless found themselves in a hole early, as Parfait Mandanda’s clearance found Danny Barrera, whose through ball to Ever Guzman was one he put away to the right of Colin Miller for a 1-0 Hartford lead. Loudoun found themselves in another spot as Miller took out Alex Dixon in the Loudoun area for a penalty kick, but Guzman’s shot was saved to remain a one-goal lead, which is was for not long as Guzman got in behind Adam Lundegard and chipped over Miller for a 2-0 lead. Loudoun responded quickly, as Ted Ku-DiPietro had a chance to Massimo Ferrin, whose shot hit the post and right to Ku-DiPietro, who was taken out by Mattheus Silva in the Hartford area. Referee Jeremy Scheer ruled a penalty for handling, and Amoh beat Mandanda from the spot for the second straight game in the 22nd minute.

Half-time saw Academy player Adam Lundegard replaced by Timmy Mehl in back and the defense played the high line better than the first half, and eventually Alioune Ndour made his season debut in the 57th minute for Loudoun as well, replacing Ferrin. However, in the 66th minute a Mads Jorgensen pass to Danny Barrera saw him fire a left footed shot along the ground, going through a packed Loudoun area and beating Miller on his left for the 3-1 lead, which stayed until the last kicks of the game, when Andre Deas crossed a ball in to him, which he chested down and fired home in the 98th minute for the 4-1 result.

The next game for Loudoun (0-2-1) will be on August 12 at New York Red Bulls II.

USL Championship Group F - Game 3
Hartford Athletic 4 (Guzman 7, 18, Barrera 66, Vazquez Villar 90+8)
Loudoun United FC 1 (Amoh (PK) 21)

Lineups:
Hartford (3142): Parfait Mandanda; Alejandro Lara (Aiden Mesias 90+8), Kevin Politz, Matheus Silva; Danny Barrera (C); Harry Swartz (Tyreke Johnson 61), Mads Jorgensen, Conor McGlynn (Nicky Downs 62), Gabriel Torres; Alex Dixon (Andre Deas 86), Ever Guzman (Alfonso Vazquez Villar 86)

Loudoun (4231): Colin Miller; Jacob Greene, Shane Wiedt, Adam Lundegard (Timmy Mehl 45), Peabo Doue (C) (Alexxon Saravia 78); Jeremy Garay (Christian Sorto 78), Elvis Amoh (Brandon Williamson 68); Kairou Amoustapha, Michael Gamble, Massimo Ferrin (Alioune Ndour 57); Ted Ku-DiPietro

Bookings:
Hartford - Lara 45, Dixon 84, Torres 90+3
Loudoun - Amoh 56