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USL Philadelphia Union II

Steel FC Ends Deadlocked with FC Cincinnati

April 15, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Philadelphia Union II News Release


BETHLEHEM, Pa. - For the second straight weekend, Bethlehem Steel FC was forced to settle for a draw as the club drew FC Cincinnati, 1-1.

Much like last weekend, Philadelphia Union forward Cory Burke tallied the club's lone goal, scoring his 15th goal in the United Soccer League in the 15th minute. On the goal, Union homegrown midfielder Anthony Fontana earned his first professional assist and point with Steel FC.

"Gutted again because we should be up 3-0 at halftime and that has been the theme here at home," Bethlehem Steel FC head coach Brendan Burke said. "We've performed really, really well and guys have done everything we've asked them to do and we just have to keep at it. We're generating high-quality goal-scoring chances and we just have to convert them now. I'm not worried about the team at all, we have an excellent team and a really good, talented group of guys that are putting themselves in great positions. I don't know what it is that will make it turn but once it turns, we'll be really tough to beat."

Battling the elements, Steel FC earned the game's first scoring chance in the third minute as midfielder Santi Moar drove down the flank toward the visiting box. With the defense closing in, he riffled a pass to Marcus Epps' whose shot was blocked. After defending a set piece, Steel FC countered and earned its first-half lead. Fontana played a quick pass into the box toward the 26-year-old forward that Burke quickly chipped over the keeper and into the net for his team-leading second goal of 2018.

Steel FC continued generating chances throughout the first half as Moar was denied at the near post on a diving effort by goalkeeper Evan Newton. On the following set piece, Fontana saw his effort at the edge of the box denied by the post.

FC Cincinnati took advantage of the unfinished chances with their equalizer in the 72nd minute of play as Nazmi Albadawi snuck inside the box and finished off a pass from Emery Welshman.

Steel FC returns to action after a bye week with a rematch of its last season's Eastern Conference Quarterfinal against Louisville City FC on Saturday, April 28. Kick off at Slugger Field is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

MATCH RECAP

Bethlehem Steel FC 1, FC Cincinnati 1

Goodman Stadium

Bethlehem, PA

MATCH STATS

Shots: 18-14 (Cincinnati)

Shots On Goal: 5-3 (Cincinnati)

Corners: 8-5 (Cincinnati)

Saves: 4-2 (Bethlehem)

SCORING SUMMARY

BST - 15' Cory Burke (Anthony Fontana)

CIN - 72' Nazmi Albadawi (Emery Welshman)

DISCIPLINE SUMMARY

BST - 66' Prosper Chiluya (Yellow Card)

BST - 83' Cory Burke (Yellow Card)

BETHLEHEM STEEL FC STARTING XI

John McCarthy; Prosper Chiluya, Brandon Aubrey, Josh Yaro (Eric Ayuk 45'), Matthew Mahoney; Derrick Jones, Anthony Fontana; Santi Moar, Brenden Aaronson (Mike Catalano 23'), Marcus Epps (Brandon Allen 79'); Cory Burke.

Substitutes not used: Tomas Romero, Drew Skundrich, Chris Nanco, Aidan Apodaca.

FC CINCINNATI STARTING XI

Evan Newton; Matt Bahner (Lance Laing 62'), Forrest Lasso, Dekel Keinan, Justin Hoyte; Richie Ryan, Corben Bone, Nazmi Albadawi, Emmanuel Ledesma, Daniel Haber (Jimmy McLaughin 79'); Emery Welshman (Danni Konig 76').

Substitutes not used: Spencer Richey, Sem De Wit, Blake Smith, Will Seymore.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Officials: Officials: Amber O'Connor, Gjovalin Bori (Asssistant), Ben Pilgrim (Assistant), Michael Guzzetta (Fourth Official).

LVHN TEAM NOTES

- Philadelphia Union Academy midfielder Brenden Aaronson earned his third United Soccer League career start in the contest.

- Philadelphia Union forward Cory Burke scored in his second-consecutive match with Bethlehem Steel FC to tie Brandon Allen for the team lead in goals. The tally is his 15th all-time goal with Steel FC, the most in club history.

- Union midfielder and homegrown signing Anthony Fontana collected his first professional assist on Burke's goal. The assist is his first point with Steel FC and his third overall, with his first two points coming with the Union on a first-half goal against New England Revolution.

- Today's draw was the first between Bethlehem Steel FC and FC Cincinnati. It was the sixth all-time meeting between the two sides.

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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.

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