The Hartford Athletic has postponed its first two home matches at Dillon Stadium citing COVID-19 coronavirus concerns.
Team officials for the Division II pro soccer club on Wednesday announced it will reschedule the matches previously slated for Saturday, March 21, and April 4, later this year.
Tickets for both matches will be valid for their rescheduled dates, officials say. The team’s next home match is scheduled for Thursday, April 9 at 7 p.m.
Hartford Athletic co-founder and chairman Bruce Mandell in a statement said the decision was made after discussion with Mayor Luke Bronin’s office and in the wake of Gov. Ned Lamont declaring a public health emergency Tuesday.
“As we continue to learn more about how this will affect our community, we have made this decision — and will continue to make decisions — with the best interest of our fans in mind,” Mandell said. “By delaying our first two home matches, we will use this time to continue to assess the situation and prepare for our first home match.”
The team’s postponement comes a day after the city of Hartford put the brakes on Saturday’s 49th annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade due to the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) has also canceled all remaining high school winter tournament games due to the virus.
There are two Connecticut residents diagnosed with coronavirus, in addition to two New York residents who work in hospitals in Bridgeport, Danbury and Norwalk.
Click here for a state-by-state breakdown of U.S. coronavirus cases.
