When first-year Hartford Athletic coach Radhi Jaïdi leads his team onto the field Friday night, a four-month wait to start the season will finally be over.
Hartford begins its season at New York Red Bulls II, who Athletic was supposed to play on March 13. But the United Soccer League (USL) season was suspended the day before due to the coronavirus pandemic.
“Obviously, we know them,” Jaïdi said after Wednesday’s practice. “They know us. They’re obviously originally an MLS team. They have some talent, some young talent. Different style and philosophy of play. Hopefully, it’s going to be a really exciting game. It’s going to be a really challenging game for us and for them.”
Hartford and New York met twice last year, with Athletic losing both games. The teams played an exhibition on Feb. 14, which Hartford won, 3-2. Both teams are in Group F, and will play three more times during the 16-game season.
Athletic’s four-month break, coupled with the pandemic, has caused Jaïdi to change his coaching philosophy.
“We worked on different aspects, ultimately players understanding,” said Jaïdi, who previously was the coach of Southampton’s under-23 team in England. “But I’m really grateful to have around me a bunch of staff who did everything to support my ideas. Also, we have a bunch of players who showed really good application, and the will and desire to keep themselves going and working hard. Especially, fitness-wise, to get ourselves in this situation.”
Since the league announced its return to play on June 4, numerous protocols have been implemented to keep both teams and spectators safe.
“The most important thing is we are applying the rules and the protocols that have been set by the clubs and the USL, and ultimately the government,” Jaïdi said. “We want to make sure we play football as safe as possible, and make sure we perform and play the right way. We’ve gone through the tests, we’ve gone through all the protocols. Hopefully, that will be enough to keep everyone safe.”
A scrimmage against New England Revolution II of USL League One last Saturday has been the only tuneup Hartford has had since the preseason. Athletic won, 3-1.
“It’s going to be a shorter season, a season after a long, long, long wait,” Jaïdi said. “Players have been off the pitch for a long period. So, the first bit, we had to make sure the players are fit, that they can finish the 95 minutes and make sure they perform at their level.”
Friday’s game will be an important first-step back to play in the condensed season.
“I’ll have to manage the team and manage them as players, all that from the COVID-19 impact,” Jaïdi said. “So, it will be adjusting and adapting to the situation, which is coming back from a long period, and the risk of injuries. So, we have to make sure there is no injuries, there’s no setbacks. But also make sure the players can fulfill the expectations in 95 minutes.”
Hartford begins its nine-game home schedule Monday against Loudoun United FC (7 p.m., ESPN2). The club announced Tuesday that Dillon Stadium will be operating at 25% spectator capacity this year.
“It’s so exciting,” Jaïdi said. “The presence of the fans will give a boost for us and the players. We’ve missed the fans since the start of the preseason. We had the pandemic as a setback that kept us all time away of the fans and of the Dillon. So, having them in Dillon would be really exciting for us, would be an opportunity to showcase all the preparation we’ve been doing since last February.”
