Michée Ngalina and Berverly Makangila saw their US Open Cup campaign come to a heartbreaking end as Hartford Athletic were eliminated in the second round following a dramatic penalty shootout defeat against third-division side Portland Hearts of Pine.
A Hard-Fought Battle Ends in Disappointment
The tightly contested match ended goalless in regulation time before both sides found the net in extra time. Hartford Athletic took the lead in the 107th minute, only for Portland Hearts of Pine to equalize nine minutes later, setting up a tense finale in a stadium filled with energy and anticipation.
With the score locked at 1-1 after extra time, the match was decided by penalties. Hartford fell short, losing 4-2 in the shootout.
Ngalina, one of the designated penalty takers, was unable to convert his spot-kick, sealing his team’s fate in the competition.
A Tough Challenge Against Determined Opposition
Both Ngalina and Makangila, former Congolese U21 internationals, were actively involved in the match but struggled to break down a well-organized Hearts of Pine side that showed resilience throughout the contest.
Despite their efforts, Hartford Athletic were unable to impose themselves fully against an opponent that fought hard and remained competitive until the very end.
The defeat marks a disappointing end to Hartford’s cup aspirations, with the club now shifting its attention to the league, where they aim to improve on last season’s performance and push for a place in the playoffs.
Focus Turns to League Ambitions
Hartford Athletic failed to reach the playoffs last season, and with the cup journey now over, the team will look to maximize its league campaign and secure a postseason berth.
Ngalina and Makangila are expected to play key roles as Hartford seeks to recover from this setback and make a stronger push for success in the USL Championship.
The Congolese duo, despite the disappointment, will now focus on helping their club bounce back from this early exit and turn their attention to achieving their goals in the league.
