USL Philadelphia Union II

Steel FC's Offense Erupts against Charlotte in Win

June 30, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Philadelphia Union II News Release


Drew Skundrich of Bethlehem Steel FC vs. the Charlotte Independence
Drew Skundrich of Bethlehem Steel FC vs. the Charlotte Independence
(Philadelphia Union II)

BETHLEHEM, PA. - Bethlehem Steel FC extended its unbeaten streak to five matches, defeating the Charlotte Independence, 4-1, at Goodman Stadium on the campus of Lehigh University.

Chris Nanco jump-started the offense with a first-half goal while Santi Moar, Drew Skundrich and Fabian Herbers added second-half tallies to propel Steel FC to the unbeaten June. Herbers led the way with a pair of assists along with a goal while Skundrich added with his first goal and assist of his career.

"They came here and beat us 4-0 last year and I know there was some squad rotation involved for them with it being their third game in seven days so we talked about being energetic and that paid off in the end," Bethlehem Steel FC head coach Brendan Burke said. "I thought it was an energetic performance but also a mature one, we recognized that we needed to keep the ball because they are a very good possession-oriented team. Mike [Jeffries] has them well coached and I thought as the second half wore on, we did a really good job of putting our foot on it and recognizing when to go and when to hold it."

Nanco got Steel FC off to a fast start with a goal in the 10th minute. After the Independence failed to clear a Steel FC corner, defender Brandon Aubrey sent the ball back into the box where Skundrich delivered a back-heeled flick to Nanco for the opening goal.

While Charlotte battled back into the match with a few chances late in the first half, Steel FC claimed a one-goal lead heading into the locker rooms. The final half saw the home club put the match away early with Moar's goal. As players acclimated to the match once more, Aubrey fired a long ball to the offensive half. Herbers beat the defender with a headed flick toward Moar on the flank. The Spaniard raced with the open space before cutting inside the box before firing a right-footed shot inside the far post.

Steel FC continued one of its best offensive performances with Skudrich's first tally in the 72nd minute. After Olivier Mbazio held possession on the right flank, the Cameroonian fired a cross that Herbers tapped to Skundrich. The Lancaster native fired a left-footed shot that Independence keeper Brandon Miller couldn't contain.

The offense reached a crescendo moments later, as Herbers tacked on a goal in the 83rd. With two assists to his credit, Herbers capped off his evening with a counter-attack goal. Charlotte kept Steel FC from the clean sheet with a strike on the final play of the contest from Jorge Herrera.

Steel FC returns to action with a busy July slate that begins on the road at interstate rival Penn FC on Friday, July 6. Kick off from FNB Field in Harrisburg is scheduled for 7 p.m.

MATCH RECAP

Bethlehem Steel FC 4, Charlotte Independence 1

Goodman Stadium

Bethlehem, PA.

MATCH STATS

Shots: 17-11 (Bethlehem)

Shots On Goal: 6-6

Corners: 7-4 (Bethlehem)

Saves: 5-2 (Bethlehem)

SCORING SUMMARY

BST - 10' Chris Nanco (Drew Skundrich)

BST - 46' Santi Moar (Fabian Herbers)

BST - 72' Drew Skundrich (Fabian Herbers)

BST - 80' Fabian Herbers (Santi Moar)

CLT - 90+4' Jorge Herrera (Earmon Zayed, Calvin Cato)

DISCIPLINE SUMMARY

CLT - 11' Henry Kalungi (Yellow Card)

CLT - 69' Je-Vaughn Watson (Yellow Card)

CLT - 83' Jake Areman (Yellow Card)

BST - 90+2' Olivier Mbaizo (Yellow Card)

BETHLEHEM STEEL FC STARTING XI

Jake McGuire; Matt Real, Brandon Aubrey, Richie Marquez (Matt Mahoney 45'), Olivier Mbaizo; James Chambers, Drew Skundrich; Santi Moar (Mike Catalano 86'), Adam Najem, Chris Nanco (Tonny Temple 83'); Fabian Herbers.

Substitutes not used: Tomas Romero, Prosper Chiluya, Ben Ofeimu, AJ Paterson.

CHARLOTTE INDEPENDENCE STARTING XI

Brandon Miller; Bilal Duckett, Henry Kalungi, Je-Vaughn Watson, Sam Vines; Jake Areman, Greg Jordan (Cordell Cato 62'), Mutaya Mwape (Alex Martinez 45'), Ricardo Perez (Yann Ekra 69'); Eamon Zayed, Jorge Herrera.

Substitutes not used: Ben Beaury, Kay Voser, Daniel Steedman.

MATCH OFFICIALS

Officials: Matt Franz, Craig Lowry (Assistant), Tyler Wyrostek (Assistant), Mark Treilman (Fourth Official).

LVHN TEAM NOTES

- Philadelphia Union defender Richie Marquez made his first appearance of 2018 with Bethlehem Steel FC today. It is Marquez's fifth appearance all-time with Steel FC.

- Chris Nanco's goal in the 10th minute was his second of 2018 and gives the 23-year-old six for his career.

- On Nanco's goal, rookie Drew Skundrich collected his first professional assist.

- Santi Moar's second-half strike was his third goal of the year, putting him into a tie for the club lead for goals scored in 2018. Moar now has nine goals in 46 appearances.

- Fabian Herbers notched two assists in the contest, becoming the fifth player in franchise history with two assists in a match.

- Herbers added a goal to push his tally to three and tie for the club lead.

- The win extends Bethlehem Steel FC's current unbeaten streak to five matches.

- Steel FC concludes June unbeaten, making it the third month in franchise history in which the club went unbeaten.

- Bethlehem Steel FC is now unbeaten in its last 12 matches in June, with the club's only loss coming back in 2016.

Check out the Philadelphia Union II Statistics




Images from this story

Bethlehem Steel FC celebrate
Bethlehem Steel FC celebrate
 Drew Skundrich of Bethlehem Steel FC vs. the Charlotte Independence
Drew Skundrich of Bethlehem Steel FC vs. the Charlotte Independence
  



United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 30, 2018


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