Hartford Athletic came from behind to beat Rhode Island FC 2–1 at home on Saturday, with Sadat Anaku and Emmanuel Samadia scoring second-half goals to overturn an early deficit. Karifa Yao had given Rhode Island the lead in the 25th minute.

Yao opened the scoring midway through the first half, finishing off a pass from Jojea Kwizera after picking up a yellow card just five minutes earlier. Rhode Island carried that advantage into the break, though the closing minutes of the half grew fractious — Brendan Burke, Barry Coffey, and Anaku were all cautioned for Hartford in quick succession around the 45th minute.

The second half was no cleaner. Aldair Sanchez and Frank Nodarse were booked for Rhode Island within seven minutes of the restart as the contest threatened to boil over. Hartford, though, channeled the intensity into something productive. Anaku, already on a booking, equalized in the 68th minute, converting from a Samadia delivery. Beverly Makangila picked up a yellow four minutes later as Hartford pressed forward.

Samadia then completed the turnaround in the 78th minute, getting on the end of a Samuel Careaga pass to put Hartford ahead. Rhode Island's Kwizera was cautioned in the 81st minute as the visitors pushed for a late equalizer, but Hartford held firm to secure all three points.

Eight yellow cards across the 90 minutes underlined the rivalry between the two New England sides. The comeback victory gives Hartford valuable points in the USL Championship standings as the season enters its final stretch.