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Philadelphia Union II

Bethlehem Steel FC Continues Winning Ways in Nashville

August 25, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Philadelphia Union II News Release


Bethlehem Steel FC goalkeeper Jake McGuire
Bethlehem Steel FC goalkeeper Jake McGuire
(Philadelphia Union II)

NASHVILLE - After seeing it's first-half lead erased by a late goal, Bethlehem Steel FC forged on and found a late goal of its own to defeat Nashville SC, 2-1.

Philadelphia Union midfielder Adam Najem provided the winning strike which netted Steel FC its fifth win of August and the club's 12th of the season. Making a final-minute charge, Steel FC's Chris Nanco and James Chambers were turned away near the penalty spot but the 23-year-old raced to the near post and slotted home the winner. Najem's goal not only ties the club's single-season mark from 2017 but also tied the franchise mark for most road wins.

Facing a side that had only conceded three goals in 10 matches at First Tennessee Park, Steel FC came out strong and found the early strike in the 24th minute of play. Utilizing the organization's forward press, Steel FC forced a turnover that captain James Chambers won near the center circle. Flicking it forward to spark an attack, Chris Nanco collected the ball and fired a right-footed ball from distance that riffled past goalkeeper Matt Pickens. While the Canadian's goal gave Steel FC the first half lead, it also rewrote the club's single-season scoring record established by the 2017 USL Cup Playoff side.

Steel FC gained more first-half momentum in the 31st minute as Nashville SC was reduced to 10 after a second yellow card was shown to Ismaila Jome. Despite trailing on the scoreboard and down a player, the home side showed its grit to battle back into the contest.

Ahead by a goal, Steel FC's defense was tested often in the second half as Nashville pushed for an equalizer. After withstanding attack after attack the hosts ended Steel FC's road shutout streak in the 84th minute as Lebo Moloto fired a through ball that Justin Davis finished off inside the box.

Seeing its lead erased, Steel FC forged on to find its third added-time goal of the season in thrilling fashion on Najem's final strike in the 93rd minute.

Sitting in fifth place and seven points clear of the USL Cup Playoff line, Bethlehem Steel FC turns its attention to September which begins against in-state rival Penn FC on Sunday, September 2. The Keystone State rivalry resumes on Goodman Stadium on the campus of Lehigh University with kick off scheduled from 3 p.m.

MATCH RECAP

Bethlehem Steel FC 2, Nashville SC 1

First Tennessee Park

Nashville, TN.

MATCH STATS

Shots: 18-18

Shots on goal: 6-3 (Bethlehem)

Corners: 8-4 (Nashville)

Saves: 4-2 (Nashville)

SCORING SUMMARY

BST - 24' Chris Nanco (James Chambers)

NSH - 84' Justin Davis (Lebo Moloto)

BST - 90+3' Adam Najem

DISCIPLINE SUMMARY

NSH - 26' Ismaila Jome (Yellow Card)

NSH - 31' Ismaila Jome (Red Card)

BST - 45' Olivier Mbaizo (Yellow Card)

BETHLEHEM STEEL FC STARTING XI

Jake McGuire; Matt Real (Prosper Chiluya 6'), Matt Mahoney, Ben Ofeimu, Olivier Mbaizo; James Chambers, Adam Najem; Chris Nanco, Brenden Aaronson (Drew Skundrich 74'), Marcus Epps; Faris (Santi Moar 64').

Substitutes not used: Tomas Romero, Brandon Aubrey, AJ Paterson, Aidan Apodaca.

NASHVILLE SC STARTING XI

Matt Pickens; Justin Davis, Liam Doyle, Bradley Bourgeois; Ismaila Jome, Michael Reed (Matt LaGrassa 72'), Bolu Akinyode, Taylor Washington; Alan Winn (Kris Tyrpak 62'), Lebo Moloto, Ropapa Mensah (Tucker Hume 72').

Substitutes not used: CJ Cochran, London Woodberry, Kosuke Kimura, Robin Shroot.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Officials: Leland Grant (Referee), Brooke Mayo (Assistant Referee), Benjamin Hall-Volpenhein (Assistant Referee), Donovan Eubank (Fourth Official).

LVHN TEAM NOTES

- Bethlehem Steel FC picked up its 12th victory of the 2018 season, tying the club record set last season. Steel FC's victory is the club's sixth road victory, tying the franchise record also from 2017.

- Steel FC set a new single-season club scoring record tonight on Chris Nanco's first-half goal.

- Nanco's goal was his fourth tally of 2018 and tied his personal single-season scoring sheet with eight overall with Steel FC.

- On Nanco's goal, James Chambers picked up his first assist of the season and the sixth of his Steel FC career.

- Philadelphia Union goalkeeper Jake McGuire saw his road shutout streak conclude at 410 minutes, the longest stretch in Steel FC history.

- Adam Najem's winning goal was his third tally of the 2018 season with Steel FC, a personal single-season high. Najem has now scored five goals in 38 appearances with the USL side.

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Images from this story

Bethlehem Steel FC's Chris Nanco leaps into the air to avoid the Nashville goalkeeper
Bethlehem Steel FC's Chris Nanco leaps into the air to avoid the Nashville goalkeeper
 Bethlehem Steel FC goalkeeper Jake McGuire
Bethlehem Steel FC goalkeeper Jake McGuire
  

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