Bethlehem's Burke Named USL Coach of the Month
Published on September 12, 2018 under United Soccer League Championship (USL) News Release
TAMPA, Fla. - Bethlehem Steel FC's Brendan Burke has been voted the USL Coach of the Month for August, having led Steel FC to victory in five of its six outings - including four victories on the road - as Bethlehem drove up the standings and into the playoff positions in the Eastern Conference.
Burke received 50 percent of the poll to claim the award ahead of OKC Energy FC's Steve Cooke, who finished with 17 percent, and FC Cincinnati's Alan Koch on 13 percent. Cooke led Energy FC to four consecutive victories to close the month of August to rekindle the club's hopes of a fourth consecutive USL Cup Playoffs berth, while Koch's FC Cincinnati maintained its undefeated streak throughout August to take a commanding league in the Eastern Conference.
"It is a great honor for myself, my assistant Stephen Hogan and the rest of our staff to receive this award with so many quality and experienced coaches opposite us each week," said Burke. "Ultimately these awards belong to the players' effort that they show day after day. We have a lot left to prove this season, but I am glad that we can take a moment to recognize them for all of their energy and dedication to each other and the Philadelphia Union Organization over the course of the season so far."
Burke has led Steel FC since the club's inaugural season in 2015, having previously had a standout coaching career in the Premier Development League with Reading United AC while also serving as an assistant coach for the Philadelphia Union. Burke led Bethlehem to its first USL Cup Playoffs berth a season ago, and currently has the side in sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings with five weeks to go in the 2018 regular season.
The USL Coach of the Month award is voted upon by the USL National Media Panel and the USL Technical Committee, with each group responsible for 50 percent of the overall vote.
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