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USL Philadelphia Union II

Bethlehem Steel FC Rally Late, Drop Inaugural Home Opener 2-1

April 3, 2016 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Philadelphia Union II News Release


BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Bethlehem Steel FC lost their inaugural home opener 2-1 Sunday afternoon at Goodman Stadium in front of 3,655 fans. Eric Ayuk scored in the 90th minute and Ryan Richter hit the post in stoppage time, but time ultimately ran out for a 2-1 loss. The team will return home in two weeks, April 17, to face Richmond Kickers.

Andrew Wiedeman opened the scoring in the 25th minute after playing a combination with Kenney Walker. Wiedeman got inside the box and rolled one past a helpless John McCarthy. Just 10 minutes later, Cincinnati doubled the lead with forward Sean Okoli getting in alone on McCarthy from a Wiedeman pass. Okoli then slotted it past McCarthy for a 2-0 lead.

Steel FC (1-1-0) return to action on Sunday, April 10 when they take on New York Red Bulls II at Red Bull Arena. Kick is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and can be seen live on USL's official YouTube channel.

MATCH RECAP

FC Cincinnati 2, Bethlehem Steel FC 1

Goodman Stadium

Bethlehem, Pa.

SCORING SUMMARY

CIN - Andrew Wiedeman (Kenney Walker) 25'

CIN - Sean Okoli (Andrew Wiedeman) 35'

BSFC - Eric Ayuk 90'

DISCIPLINE SUMMARY

CIN - Kenney Walker (yellow) 40'

BSFC - Boluwatife Akinyode (yellow) 69'

CIN - Antoine Hoppenot (yellow) 80'

BSFC - Boluwatife Akinyode (second yellow) 80'

BETHLEHEM STEEL FC STARTING XI

John McCarthy; Taylor Washington, Joshua Yaro, Mickey Daly (Cole Missimo 72'), Ryan Richter ©; Derrick Jones (James Chambers 55'), Boluwatife Akinyode, Leo Fernandes, Eric Ayuk, Walter Restrepo; Gabe Gissie (Seku Conneh 61').

Substitutes not used: Samir Badr, Auston Trusty, Mark McKenzie, Amoy Brown.

FC CINCINNATI STARTING XI

Mitch Hildebrandt; Tyler Polak, Harrison Delbridge, Austin Berry, Pat McMahon (Derek Luke 88'); Ross Tomaselli, Kenney Walker, Corben Bone, Jimmy McLaughlin, Andrew Wiedeman (Omar Mohomed, 83'); Sean Okoli (Antoine Hoppenot 74').

Substitutes not used: Dallas Jaye, Paul Nicholson, Luke Spencer, Alvaro Anton Ripoll.

ATTENDANCE

3,655

Head coach Brendan Burke on the game

"I was happy with our response. We dug ourselves a hole today obviously going down two-nil at halftime. In a professional setting it's a tall order to come back from that. Our response was good, we found a goal eventually, it just came a little late. We hit the bar there at the end, I think the response was there just not enough today."

Burke on the two goals conceded

"I thought it was a lack of reaction and intensity in midfield that actually lead to those goals. I thought it was the first layer where we broke down. Then it left our defenders in numbers down situations."

Burke on the atmosphere in the inaugural match

"It was great, I thought it was excellent. If we get that sort of support going forward I think we're going to be in great shape. We'll get the results that goes with a nice attendance like that next time."

Burke on the play of Seku Conneh

"Seku did very well today. He was away with Liberia with the senior team and just got back. He'd been away from the team for 10 or 11 days. He was a little jetlagged that's why we didn't get him on there from the start. It was encouraging I think he earned more time with that performance."

Goalkeeper John McCarthy on having a busy day in net

"It was tough. I'm sure some guys might have had some nerves being the first home opener in club history. I thought the team did well, we two rough patches in the first half for like five minutes and that's what cost us the game right there. I thought my team did well, it's a long season and we'll be better."

McCarthy on the crowd support

"It was great. I didn't think we'd have nearly as many fans. It was a long way to get here and to see that type of crowd, in that type of environment, it was great to play in front of. They cheered for 90 minutes. It wasn't just the supporters section it was everybody, and I'm grateful for them."

Defender Ryan Richter on the environment today

"It was a special day for the club. The fans didn't let us down, they gave us great support and it was a really special atmosphere. I just wish we could've come away with three points."

Richter on the game being physical as a whole

"It definitely was especially because we were down and pressing pretty high. Trying to get that break through especially when we were down a man. They're a competitive team just like us, so it's going to make for a good game, but a physical game."

Midfielder Eric Ayuk on the goal today

"I was happy to score, but disappointed in the game. We just have to keep working hard and keep moving forward in our game."

Ayuk on the fan support today

"I was so happy. I was not expecting the fans to come a lot. I was happy to see the fans in Bethlehem, but we have to keep working hard."

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