Steel FC Falls On the Road to New York Red Bulls II
July 18, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Philadelphia Union II News Release
MONTCLAIR, NJ. - After battling back from an early deficit, Bethlehem Steel FC couldn't overcome a second-half goal, falling to New York Red Bulls II, 2-1.
Facing off for the third time this season, the two clubs renewed their rivalry with each side striking in the first half. After both teams spent the opening 20 minutes settling into the contest, the hosts opened the scoring on a counter attack as Brian White found MLS-signee Derrick Etienne Jr. on the counter that beat McGuire and rolled inside the far post.
With halftime looming, Steel FC once again played to the final whistle against Red Bulls II and found an equalizer. Steel FC took advantage of a New York foul, as James Chambers resumed play with a quick free kick to an awaiting Santi Moar. The Spaniard flicked the pass inside to Philadelphia Union midfielder Anthony Fontana, who ripped it inside the post for the first USL goal of his career.
After momentum on their side, New York came out strong in the final half with 16 while holding Steel FC without one of its own. Goalkeeper Jake McGuire was called upon with critical saves in the 61st and 63rd minutes, denying a chipped shot off a set piece and then a breakaway from substitute Amando Moreno.
Red Bulls II's leading scorer wouldn't be denied 15 minutes later, as he collected a pass from Chris Lema and fired it pass McGuire with a shot from distance that snuck inside the upper corner. Bethlehem sought an equalizer late in the match as Moar flicked Faris on a breakaway but the 18-year-olds cross to Omar Holness was stopped by the New York keeper.
After a busy slate of four-matches in 13 days, Steel FC will be on break this weekend before returning to USL action against Indy Eleven on Thursday, July 26. The match will serve as Steel FC's "Camp Day" with campers from the Lehigh Valley checking out the regions only professional soccer club. Kick off from Goodman Stadium on the campus of Lehigh University is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. and will be broadcast on Service Electric and ESPN+.
MATCH RECAP
Bethlehem Steel FC 1, New York Red Bulls II 2
MSU Soccer Park
Montclair, NJ.
MATCH STATS
Shots: 24-5 (New York)
Shots On Goal: 5-2 (New York)
Corners: 8-2 (New York)
Saves: 3-1 (Bethlehem)
SCORING SUMMARY
NY - 28' Derrick Etienne Jr. (Brian White)
BST - 45+1' Anthony Fontana (Santi Moar)
NY - 78' Amando Moreno (Chris Lema)
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY
BST - 42' Faris (Yellow Card)
BST - 84' Omar Holness (Yellow Card)
BETHLEHEM STEEL FC STARTING XI
Jake McGuire; Matt Real, Richie Marquez, Josh Yaro (Ben Ofeimu 71'), Matt Mahoney; James Chambers, Derrick Jones; Santi Moar, Anthony Fontana (Omar Holness 76'), Michee Ngalina (Chris Nanco 58'); Faris.
Substitutes not used: Tomas Romero, Brenden Aaronson, Drew Skundrich, Aidan Apodaca
NEW YORK RED BULLS II STARTING XI
Ryan Meara; Niko De Vera, Hassan Ndam, Fidel Escobar, Ethan Kutler; Christopher Lema, Cristian Casseres Jr.; Derrick Etienne Jr. (Amando Moreno 62'), Andrew Tinari, Jared Stroud (Tom Barlow 76'); Brian White (Jordan Scarlett 90').
Substitutes not used: Scott Levine, Lucas Stauffer, Steven Echevarria, Jose Aguinaga.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Officials: Daniel Gutierrez, Joe Zawistowski (Assistant), Katarzyna Wasiak (Assistant), Bardhyl Pashaj (Fourth Official).
LVHN TEAM NOTES
- Steel FC forward Faris made his club and league debut Wednesday night. The Cameroonian forward playing all 90 minutes in his debut and taking a shot
- Philadelphia Union midfielder Anthony Fontana connected on his first goal with Bethlehem Steel FC of his career in first-half added time. The goal is Fontana's second professional goal with his first coming in the Union's 2018 opener against New England Revolution.
- Santi Moar racked up his sixth assist of 2018 on Fontana's tying goal. The helper ties Moar's 2017 output and pushes his franchise lead to 12 assists as a member of Steel FC.
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