USL Philadelphia Union II

Bethlehem Steel FC Heads West for Inaugural Match against Indy Eleven

Published on May 18, 2018 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Philadelphia Union II News Release


BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Bethlehem Steel FC concludes busy May stretch when it heads for a first-time matchup against USL-newcomer Indy Eleven on Saturday, May 19. Kick off from Lucas Oil Stadium is scheduled for 8 p.m. and will be available locally on Service Electric and streamed on ESPN+.

Steel FC enters the inaugural contest 1-1 during its three-game stretch and coming off a strong 3-0 victory over rival New York Red Bulls II on Wednesday. Midfielder Michee Ngalina opened his professional scoreline in the first half, becoming the youngest scorer in the club's history. Former Steel FC forward and current member of the Philadelphia Union Cory Burke collected his first two-assist contest, setting up Fabian Herbers and Adam Najem in the second half to claim all three points. In addition to the strong scoring performance, Steel FC claimed its first shutout of 2018 as John McCarthy made two saves in the win.

"We knew we were going to get their best effort, they made the game difficult and ugly," Bethlehem Steel FC head coach Brendan Burke said. "They did a fantastic job in pressing and chopping up the game and neither team could connect a pass. It was one of those games where you have to win your duels, show some real grit and play forward fast off the weak side and I thought we did a great job of that."

Saturday night's contest will be the first of four matches at new opponents, with Steel FC traveling to North Carolina FC in June, Atlanta United 2 in July and Nashville SC in August. Last season, Steel FC was 2-0-4 against the new opponents picking up road wins against Ottawa Fury FC and Saint Louis FC.

Indy Eleven coming off their own midweek contest, falling to Mississippi Brilla FC 1-0 in the second round of the 2018 Lamar Hunt U.S Open Cup. In league play, Indy Eleven has claimed points in five of its last six contests including a 1-0 victory against defending USL Cup Champions Louisville City FC two weeks ago. Indy Eleven is second in the Eastern Conference with five clean sheets from goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams, who has only allowed five goals in eight contests. Sitting in fifth place in the conference table with a 4-2-2 record, Indy Eleven is paced offensively by the trio of Ayoze, Soony Saad and former Philadelphia Union draft pick Jack McInerney, each with two goals apiece.

MATCH INFORMATION

2018 USL Regular Season

Date: May 19, 2018

Kickoff: 8:00 p.m. ET

Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN.

Bethlehem Steel FC: 3-4-2

Indy Eleven: 4-2-2

Match Day Twitter: @BSteelFC

Game Day Hashtag: #INDvBST

Game Notes: bit.ly/2rRydqt

Match Preview: bit.ly/2wSy4HX

Match Center: bit.ly/2IS7dR8

Watch: es.pn/2L9hTt0

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