Preview: Bethlehem Steel FC at City Islanders FC

Match: Bethlehem Steel FC @ Harrisburg City Islanders

Date: Tuesday, August 30th

Time: 7:00pm EST

Venue: FNB Field Harrisburg, PA

Referees: TBA

Stream:

Steel FC All-Time Record: 0-2-0

Bethlehem will look to bounce back and finally beat a Harrisburg team that has gotten the better of them earlier this year. The two teams will meet for the third time with HCI getting two wins, one by the final score of 1-3 and the second fixture in Bethlehem by the score of 0-1.

What Harrisburg will look like:

I’ve never had to literally explain what the other team would look like, but here we are. I like Star Wars as much as the next guy but good lord those are busy. The only acceptable shorts for that R2-D2 kit are R2’s little legs. Anyway, the same deal for Harrisburg City Islanders as it always is, Bobby Warshaw is a physical presence in midfield, Keasel Broome is a solid keeper and Aaron Wheeler will look to get involved early. Not that it’s the worst thing in the world but HCI are rather one note, which might serve Bethlehem well given the make up of their roster.

What Bethlehem will look like:
About that make up. Auston Trusty, Anderson Conceicao, Eric Ayuk, Derrick Jones, Matt Jones and Leo Fernandes are all staying with the first team this week. On top of that Cory Burke is away with the Jamaican National Team. That’s seven guys who have played various but mostly big roles in Steel FC’s game plan. Per usual the club didn’t specify who from the Academy would be playing with them tonight, but I’d expect to see a ton of youth. It’ll be interesting to see how Ryan Richter pairs up with a potentially new winger and I really hope we get the Bolu Akinyode, James Chambers, Anthony Fontana midfield that I’ve loved in limited action earlier this year.

What to expect:

Youth in revolt! I think the kids have a good showing and are able to grab some points here tonight in Harrisburg. Predicting final scores has never gone well but I’ll say Bethlehem 1 R2-D2 tribute club 0.