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USL Philadelphia Union II

Steel FC Offense Erupts in 4-1 Victory over Atlanta United 2

July 29, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Philadelphia Union II News Release


Brenden Aaronson of Bethlehem Steel FC vs. Atlanta United 2
Brenden Aaronson of Bethlehem Steel FC vs. Atlanta United 2
(Philadelphia Union II)

BETHLEHEM, PA. - Bethelehem Steel FC ended a rough July with a high-scoring offensive display to defeat Atlanta United 2, 4-1, at Goodman Stadium on the campus of Lehigh University.

Steel FC's high-powered offense which tied the club record for most goals in a match, saw four different players strike. Defender Matt Mahoney opened the scoring with a set-piece header for his second goal of 2018 while the trio of Aidan Apodaca, Fari and Brenden Aaronson all netted their first professional goals. Aaronson and Faris weren't satisfied with just a goal, as they also collected their first assists in the victory.

"Happy with the response to dig us out of the hole we dug ourselves in July so it's good to end the month on a positive note," Bethlehem Steel FC head coach Brendan Burke said. "That was probably a little bit of a weakened squad that we saw out of them today but what was important was that it ended in a multiple-goal win so we add to our goal differential. We go on the road now with a little more confidence than we had in the last week or two and we converted some chances. We had three guys score their first professional goal today so that's a huge thing for a developmental club."

In a contest that saw Steel FC outshoot its visitors by a 27-10 margin, Steel FC came out on the front foot and scored on its fourth shot of the match. After Philadelphia Union midfielder Marcus Epps earned Steel FC a corner, Chris Nanco delivered a perfect cross to the middle of the box that Mahoney headed back goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt.

Steel FC doubled its lead in the 36th minute with Aaronson connected with Apodaca. Collecting a floated volley from James Chambers, Aaronson drove the byline and played a pass to the penalty spot where Apodaca gained possession. The 22-year-old rookie wasted little time, taking a touch before firing a left-footed shot inside the post.

While Atlanta United 2 trimmed the lead just before halftime on a bicycle kick goal from Devon Sandoval, Steel FC put the match away in the 71st minute. After entering in the 60th minute, Faris collected a headed volley from Prosper Chiluya and fired a left-footed rocket past the keeper.

Faris's impact wasn't done as a minute later, he forced a turnover and sparked a counter attack. Cutting inside near the byline, Faris picked out Aaronson for the fourth and final goal.

Bethlehem Steel FC now turns its attention to a busy August schedule that sees the club play four times in a 17-day span. The slate begins with a two-game road trip that starts against the Richmond Kickers on Saturday, August 4. Kick off from City Stadium is scheduled for 7 p.m. and will be broadcast on Service Electric and ESPN+.

MATCH RECAP

Bethlehem Steel FC (4), Atlanta United 2 (1)

Goodman Stadium

Bethlehem, PA.

MATCH STATS

Shots: 27-10 (Bethlehem)

Shots On Goal: 10-4 (Bethlehem)

Corners: 8-3 (Bethlehem)

Saves: 6-3 (Atlanta)

SCORING SUMMARY

BST - 16' Matt Mahoney (Chris Nanco)

BST - 36' Aidan Apodaca (Brenden Aaronson)

ATL - 40' Devon Sandoval (Dylan Gaither)

BST - 71' Faris (Prosper Chiluya)

BST - 72' Brenden Aaronson (Faris)

DISCIPLINE SUMMARY

ATL - 24' Jack Metcalf (Yellow Card)

ATL - 76' AJ Cochran (Yellow Card)

BETHLEHEM STEEL FC STARTING XI

John McCarthy; Prosper Chiluya, Brandon Aubrey, Matt Mahoney, Olivier Mbaizo; James Chambers (Omar Holness 73'), Drew Skundrich; Chris Nanco (Michee Ngalina 66'), Brenden Aaronson, Marcus Epps; Aidan Apodaca (Faris 60').

Substitutes not used: Tomas Romero, Ben Ofeimu, Tonny Temple, Santi Moar.

ATLANTA UNITED 2 STARTING XI

Mitch Hildebrandt; Jon Gallagher (Victor Pereyra 69'), Shawn Nicklaw, AJ Cochran, Jack Metcalf; Chris Goslin, Kevin Barajas, Alessandro Castro (Diego Lopez 65'); Lagos Kunga, Yosef Samuel (Dylan Gaither 8'), Devon Sandoval.

Substitutes not used: Nicolas Caraux, Paul Christensen.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Officials: Eric Tattersall, Szczpan Dziewa (Assistant), Dustin Killick (Assistant), Robert Ryan Sr. (Fourth Official).

LVHN TEAM NOTES

- *With the win today, Bethlehem Steel FC is 5-2-5 at Goodman Stadium.

*Steel FC's four goals ties the franchise record, which was established last season at Toronto FC II and replicated against the Richmond Kickers on March 18.

*Three players (Aidan Apodaca, Faris, Brenden Aaronson) scored their first professional goals, the most first-time scorers in Steel FC history.

* Both Faris and Aaronson collected their first assists as well.

* Brenden Aaronson's goal was the second scored in Bethlehem Steel FC history by an active member of the Philadelphia Union Academy.

*On the opening goal Matt Mahoney collected his second professional goal. Both goals for Mahoney have come this season and both were on corner kicks by Chris Nanco.

* On the Mahoney goal, Nanco collected his third assist of 2018 and the fifth of his career.

- Prosper Chiluya earned his first assist as a member of Bethlehem Steel FC on Faris's goal.

Check out the Philadelphia Union II Statistics




Images from this story

Faris of Bethlehem Steel FC
Faris of Bethlehem Steel FC
 Aidan Apodaca of Bethlehem Steel FC vs. Atlanta United 2
Aidan Apodaca of Bethlehem Steel FC vs. Atlanta United 2
 Brenden Aaronson of Bethlehem Steel FC vs. Atlanta United 2
Brenden Aaronson of Bethlehem Steel FC vs. Atlanta United 2



United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 29, 2018


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