Hartford Athletic launches youth platform, expands local pro opportunities

Hartford Athletic are hoping to find the next Alfonso Vazquez with their youth platform. (Courtesy of Hartford Athletic)

When the USL Academy League was announced in early May, questions immediately surfaced about what that meant for Hartford Athletic, the only USL Championship side in New England.

Answers have arrived, with the club announcing Wednesday plans for a youth platform that focuses on being an additive experience to Connecticut youth soccer rather than a disruptive one. Bruce Mandell, chairman of Hartford Athletic, stressed exactly that during an interview with New England Soccer Journal.

“Our goal here is to be respectful to the premier clubs, especially, and the same for the town and travel teams,” Mandell said.