Match Preview: Bethlehem Steel FC vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Match: Bethlehem Steel FC vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Date: Sunday, September 18th

Venue: Goodman Stadium

Officials: REF: Jorge Ramirez AR1: Daniel Pannullo AR2: Amber O’Connor 4TH: Yanci De La O

Stream:

All Time Record: 1-1-0

Bethlehem, at time of writing, is somehow still in the playoff hunt. Since Orlando City B lost last night, Steel FC is still mathematically in the hunt. BSFC needs a lot of help but really just need to focus on doing something they haven’t since the beginning of the Summer – winning. Two wins in the last two games isn’t a terribly hard goal by any stretch, but we haven’t seen a Bethlehem win in quite some time.

What Pittsburgh will look like:
This team is a huge departure from the team we saw earlier at home this year. Credit to Dave Brandt, this is a disciplined ‘Hounds side. Defensively they are comfortable letting their opponent force the issue before springing a counter attack that sets up Corey Hertzog for one of his dozen goals this year. Their midweek draw against FC Cincinnati was a big surprise, especially for a team that was already out of playoff contention. They’ll fight for bragging rights and contracts this weekend.

What Bethlehem will look like:
In terms of who I saw at practice, I’m not too sure. Mo wasn’t in training but I don’t think he traveled either. The Union are going to either loan Cole Missimo or Anderson to Steel FC for the remainder of the season. I would hope Cole Missimo would be the loanee, but both he and Anderson were in practice on Thursday so I’m in the dark on that. Bethlehem have a pretty solid goal differential of -9 which would see them overtake Wilmington on the last day if they were level on points. Finishing has been the real struggle. Cory Burke has to get things going to the back of the net despite some very good hold up play, if he isn’t going to produce Eric Ayuk needs to get in front of net and put some chances on.

What to expect:
This should be a decent game this weekend, with a lot on the line for the home side and nothing to lose for the away team. Bethlehem get a few in a solid win 2-1.