USL Philadelphia Union II

Bethlehem Steel FC Announce Additional Preseason Matches

February 15, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Philadelphia Union II News Release


BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Bethlehem Steel FC today announced three additional matches to the club's preseason schedule, completing the slate of eight matches prior to Steel FC's third season in the United Soccer League.

Bethlehem Steel FC will travel to Villanova and Maryland for a pair of midweek exhibitions, facing off against the Wildcats on Wednesday, February 28. Kickoff from the Higgins Soccer Complex is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. After the club hosts USL-rival Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Sunday, March 4, Steel FC will travel to Maryland on Tuesday, March 6, for a 7:15 p.m. start at Ludwig Field. The preseason rounds out with a friendly against regional rival New York Red Bulls II at the Power Training Complex on Saturday, March 10, with kickoff slated for 12:15 p.m. All Steel FC matches this preseason are free and open to the public. Please note that times and availability may change without notice.

Squaring off for the second-consecutive preseason, the Wildcats are coming off a seven-win season in 2017. Villanova returns all but six players from last year's squad that won five of its seven games at the Higgins Soccer Complex. Steel FC defeated the Wildcats 3-2 in 2017, behind three first-half goals with Santi Moar netting a goal.

The following week, the Maryland Terrapins will play host to Steel FC for the first time in the club's modern existence. The Terrapins are coming off a 10-win season where they finished fourth in the Big Ten Conference before falling in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Led by head coach Sasho Cirovski, Maryland returns all but three players from last year's team that scored 30 goals.

The preseason concludes at the Power Training Complex against 2016 USL Cup Champions New York Red Bulls II just eight days before Steel FC's regular-season opener. New York owns the all-time series by a slim 3-2 margin but Steel FC swept Red Bulls II with matching 2-0 score lines in 2017.

All preseason matches are in preparation for the 2018 USL regular season on Sunday, March 18. Steel FC's season begins against the Richmond Kickers at Goodman Stadium on the campus of Lehigh University, with kickoff scheduled for 2 p.m.

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