Preview: Bethlehem Steel FC vs. North Carolina
July 13, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Philadelphia Union II News Release
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Playing its third match in eight days, Bethlehem Steel FC looks to continue its strong home form when it hosts North Carolina FC on Saturday, July 14. Kick off from Goodman Stadium on the campus of Lehigh University is scheduled for 5 p.m. and will be broadcast locally on Service Electric and on ESPN+.
Steel FC returns to 'The Fortress' looking to continue its strong home form that has seen the club lose just once this year in nine matches. The return home comes at the perfect time as the team looks to rebound from a 2-1 setback at Atlanta United 2 on Wednesday evening. Philadelphia Union midfielder Derrick Jones netted his 10th career goal, fourth of the year, in the loss while Aidan Apodaca collected his first professional assist.
"We beat ourselves," Bethlehem Steel FC head coach Brendan Burke said following the match. "I'm glad we pushed and continued to try and find a winner but ultimately just was not good enough and I hope we feel the full weight of that because we can't continue to allow teams to stay in games when we get on top of them."
Saturday evening's match is the second and final regular season contest between the two sides, with Steel FC looking for the season sweep. North Carolina FC jumped out to the early lead with a goal from Peabo Doue in the 16th minute but Steel FC rallied back with goals late from Ben Ofeimu and Michee Ngalina.
Sitting in 13th place on the Eastern Conference table, North Carolina FC enters with results in three of its last four matches including a 1-1 draw against Charleston last weekend. After surrendering a first-half goal, Daniel Rios found an equalizer in the 81st minute to help the team salvage a point. The goal pushed Rios' team lead to nine for the season. Saturday's contest will be North Carolina FC's ninth road match of the year, with the team having already picked up two wins and two draws.
Ahead of the contest, Coach Burke says that the biggest thing will be the team's recovery as it prepares for its third match in eight days.
"Just physical recovery, we know [the Union] have the Frankfort game so we will be left really light for the game [against North Carolina FC] so we need everyone to be as close to full strength as possible. Recovery over the next two days becomes vital for us."
MATCH INFORMATION
2018 USL Regular Season
Date: July 14, 2018
Kickoff: 5:00 p.m. ET
Location: Goodman Stadium, Bethlehem, PA.
Bethlehem Steel FC: 6-7-5
North Carolina FC: 5-8-4
Match Day Twitter: @BSteelFC
Game Day Hashtag: #BSTvNC
• Discuss this story on the United Soccer League Championship message board...
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 13, 2018
- New York Red Bulls II Continue Home Dominance, Defeat Richmond 5-1 - New York Red Bulls II
- Match Preview: Republic FC vs. Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC - Sacramento Republic FC
- Kickers Fall to New York on the Road - Richmond Kickers
- STLFC Academy Introduces Luis Swisher as Director of Coaching - Saint Louis FC
- Aedan Stanley Called into USMNT U20 Camp - Saint Louis FC
- San Antonio FC Travels to Face Orange County SC - San Antonio FC
- RGV FC Toros Signs IDEA School Graduate Brandon Morales from RGV FC Academy - Rio Grande Valley FC Toros
- STLFC Partners with on the Run - Saint Louis FC
- Preview: Bethlehem Steel FC vs. North Carolina - Philadelphia Union II
- Lights FC out to Bounce Back and Secure Road Points in Rio Grande Valley - Las Vegas Lights FC
- Roughnecks Back in Action Saturday Night to Face Saint Louis FC - FC Tulsa
- Switchbacks FC Add Kip Colvey on Loan from Colorado Rapids - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- Real Salt Lake Signs Real Monarchs Goalkeeper Andrew Putna - Real Monarchs
- Match Preview | Ottawa Fury FC V Penn FC - Ottawa Fury FC
- NCFC Travels North for Rematch with Bethlehem Steel FC - North Carolina FC
- Charleston Battery Hosts Louisville City FC Saturday Night - Charleston Battery
- Game Preview: FC Cincinnati vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies - FC Cincinnati
- Real Monarchs SLC Returns to Zions Bank Stadium to Host Seattle Sounders FC 2 - Real Monarchs
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
