SAN ANTONIO – San Antonio FC and Hartford Athletic will meet for just the third time in the Quarterfinals of the 2025 USL Jägermeister Cup on Wednesday night as Hartford looks for its first knockout stage victory in a USL-sanctioned competition. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET at Toyota Field and the game will air live on ESPN+. Here’s what you need to know.

How They Got Here

San Antonio FC (3-0-1, 10pts; Group 2 Winner) – San Antonio reeled off three consecutive regulation victories – and three consecutive shutouts – against Phoenix Rising FC (1-0), Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC (2-0) and Union Omaha (1-0) to take control of Group 2 and then did enough to ensure passage against New Mexico United despite conceding twice in stoppage time to settle for a 2-2 draw. The 2022 USL Championship title-winners are the lone club in the knockout stage that could become the first to have won the USL-C title, the Players’ Shield and the USL Jagermeister Cup in its history.

Hartford Athletic (2-0-2, 9pts; Wild Card) – Hartford advanced to the knockout stage of a USL-sanctioned competition for the first time since the 2020 season by advancing as a wild card after finishing as runner-up in Group 4. It couldn’t have done it in more dramatic fashion. After regulation victories in its opening two games and a penalty shootout defeat to Detroit City, the side went to El Clamico rival Rhode Island FC and managed to earn a 2-2 draw despite playing an hour down to 10 players. The ensuing shootout victory sent Hartford on with Adrian Diz Pe’s late equalizer putting the side through on the goals scored tiebreaker over Louisville City FC.

Opta Says

361 – San Antonio FC recorded a 361-minute shutout streak in the group stage, conceding for the first time in the second minute of second-half stoppage time against New Mexico United. 

6 – Hartford Athletic scored six left-footed goals in the group stage, the most of any team in the tournament, with Samuel Careaga’s two tallies leading the group.

Players to Watch

San Antonio FC – Juan Agudelo: The former United States international has been at his best in the USL Jägermeister Cup, tying for the tournament lead with three goals and chipping in one assist in 251 minutes of action.

Hartford Athletic – Michee Ngalina: The Congolese winger has recorded four goals and four assists in all competitions this season and appears to be rounding into his best form since arriving at Hartford as Athletic looks for its first win in the series.

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