Match preview: FC Montreal vs. Bethlehem Steel FC

Match: Bethlehem Steel FC at FC Montreal

Date: Sunday, August 21st

Start Time: 3:00 pm

Venue: Complexe Sportif Claude-Robillard

Referees: TBD as of 8/19/16

Stream:

Bethlehem Steel FC all time record: 2-0-0

This is it for Steel FC. After a disappointing 2-1 loss to The Riverhounds last weekend, they have to get three points against FC Montreal in order to stay in the USL playoff hunt. Failure to pick up three points renders an otherwise intriguing matchup at the end of the season against Orlando City B basically pointless. Montreal is a capable young team, and failure to put away chances will burn Steel FC once again.

What FC Montreal will look like:

This is one of the youngest teams in the East on a consistent basis. Montreal has a fair amount of youth in the organization, and that should be on full display here. Head coach Phillipe Eullaffroy likes to implement a variety of formations, but he seemingly favors the rarely implemented 4-1-4-1. Ballou Jean Yves Tabla is the man offensively for the Impact affiliates, with the Côte d'Ivoire native bagging five goals and three assists. Montreal is a hungry team full of kids with a lot to prove, which could be a dangerous combination on Sunday afternoon.

What Bethlehem will look like:

BSFC needs to find a number nine, like right now. If this team wants to win the majority of these remaining games and sneak into the playoffs, they need to find a striker. Cory Burke looks the most likely to find form and start getting consistent goals, but I'm sure Brendan Burke will take it from whoever wants to step up. I'm a huge fan of (most of) the defense and all of the midfield in this Steel FC side, but Ryan Richter can't do it all anymore. If he is allowed to focus on crossing the ball and organizing his back line more, Bethlehem have a great chance at making a run. Richter and Taylor Washington have been great going forward, but at times that makes the Steel FC offense one dimensional. Bethlehem are firmly backed up to the wall, which is a great thing for development. Sunday will be the first indicator as to whether or not they’re up to the challenge.

What to Expect:

Steel FC come out swinging and have another solid first half, I think they finally put the foot down on the pedal for a full 90 minutes and sweep the season series 3-0-0 with a final score of 1-0 Sunday in Montreal.

Thoughts, concerns, wild attempts at making a starting XI? Let us know in the comments!