Can't Win Them All

Hartford Athletic just walked into the most electric home atmosphere in club history and still came up short in the USL Cup final. Oliver, Perrin, and Sam break down what went wrong, why the loss felt so brutal, and what the team has to clean up before a massive road test against Pittsburgh. Perrin, fresh off a whirlwind solo tour, brings a unique perspective from the road - from New York and DC to Kentucky, St. Louis, Louisville, and Hartford. He shares what it was like chasing matches in tiny venues, massive stadiums, and even a Red Robin in Pennsylvania. Oliver also explains why Hartford’s performance was both encouraging and frustrating at the same time: they controlled long stretches, outshot Louisville, and still lacked the final decisive moment. Perrin adds the outsider’s eye, comparing the energy in Hartford to the broader landscape he’s been documenting across American soccer - where some clubs have a real foundation to build on, and others still feel like they’re fighting for basic awareness.The Average Fan Podcast is produced by and partnered with The Blazing Musket Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.