The Hartford Athletic says it will resume play in July after the COVID-19 pandemic delayed its second season in the United Soccer League (USL) by four months.
USL’s board of governors agreed on a plan Thursday to tentatively begin the 2020 regular season on Saturday, July 11. The league in a statement said it will announce a new game schedule in the coming weeks.
League officials said they are also working with the USL Players Association on matters related to player health and wellness during COVID-19 outbreak.
The USL did not indicate whether fans would be able to attend games in 2020.
The Hartford Athletic, a division II pro soccer club, initially postponed its 2020 season on March 11. The team was originally scheduled to host 17 home games between March and October at Hartford’s 5,500-seat Dillon Stadium.
Hartford Athletic co-founder and chairman Bruce Mandell in a statement thanked fans and corporate partners for their patience in recent months.
“We have been working very hard behind the scenes with the USL league office and fellow USL Clubs to safely return to the field this year,” Mandell said. “We are thrilled that we will be able to bring you USL Championship soccer this season starting in July and cannot wait to officially kick off our second season.”
The USL’s return is good news for Hartford sports fans.
Last month, the Hartford Wolf Pack’s 2019-2020 regular season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It remains to be seen if the Hartford Yard Goats, a member of Minor League Baseball’s Eastern League, will resume play this year.
